Flight delay: what remedies are available?

Faced with a flight delay, our vacation or business travel plans are quickly turned upside down. Missed connection or missed appointment, flight delays are the traveller's pet peeve. Find out about your rights and possible remedies in this article!

Flight delay: who is protected by European law?

First of all, be aware that, from a 2-hour flight delay, your airline is obliged to inform you of your rights.

Entered into force on February 17, 2005, European Regulation No. 261/2004 guarantees the rights of users in the event of your flight being delayed, regardless of their nationality, if they meet the following criteria:

Passengers on a flight departing from one of the 28 countries of the European Union (EU), Iceland, Norway or Switzerland, regardless of destination.
Passengers on a flight departing from a state outside the EU to the EU, Iceland, Norway or Switzerland, provided the flight is operated by a European company.
 

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When can I demand compensation?

You are entitled to compensation in the following cases:

Delay of more than 2 hours on flights of less than 1500 km
Delay of 3 hours or more for flights within the European Union over 1500 km
Delay of 3 hours or more for other flights 1,500 to 3,500 km
Delay of 4 hours or more for all flights.
Pending your actual departure, you will be entitled to ground assistance including two telecommunications, refreshments and, if necessary, catering and accommodation services as well as associated transport services.

If your flight is more than 5 hours late, you can opt out and claim a full refund of your ticket.

What is the amount of compensation for flight delays?

If your flight is delayed on departure and you arrive at your destination 3 hours or more after the arrival time initially scheduled by your company, you can benefit from a flat-rate compensation:

€ 250 for flights of 1,500 km or less
€ 400 for flights over 1500 km within the European Union and between 1500 and 3500 km for other flights
€ 600 for flights over 3,500 km
What to do in case of denied boarding or flight cancellation?

Denied boarding

If, due to overbooking, your company denies you boarding, it must first offer to give up your flight in return for a full refund. If you decline, it must then offer you financial compensation, re-routing on another flight, and support while awaiting re-routing.

The amounts of this compensation are the same as in the event of a flight delay (see above).

Flight cancellation

If you are the victim of a flight cancellation, you benefit from the same compensation as in the event of overbooking (see above).

The exceptions

In some cases, cancellation, delay of a flight or denied boarding do not entitle you to compulsory compensation:

If the flight cancellation is due to exceptional circumstances (climatic phenomenon, political circumstances, etc.), provided that your company has taken the necessary measures to limit the effects.
If you have been notified at least 2 weeks before the day of departure.
If your company has managed to get you to your arrival airport at a time close to the time originally announced.
If you are unable to catch your flight, we also provide you with flight cancellation insurance included in our travel insurance packages.

 



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