Cancelled flight compensation

In any journey, unexpected situations can arise that may disrupt your plans. Among the most frustrating are delayed and cancelled flights. In the first case, the flight departs later than scheduled – inconvenient but ultimately, you still reach your destination. However, a cancelled flight is an entirely different story. The flight doesn’t depart at all on the planned day, leaving you stranded at the airport, with luggage and high frustration.

For cancelled flights, there are two possible scenarios:

1. The flight is rescheduled for the following day.

2. The flight is entirely removed from the schedule.

In any case, it’s important to know that you have rights and that there are regulations to protect you.

How can you obtain compensation for a cancelled flight?

To obtain compensation for a cancelled flight, the first step is to determine eligibility. According to Regulation EC261/2004, your flight must be cancelled without at least 14 days' notice, and the airline could not offer a reasonable alternative, or the alternative resulted in a significant delay.

Example: If your flight was cancelled just one day before, and the airline couldn’t provide an alternative that wouldn’t be delayed by more than 3 hours, you are entitled to cancelled flight compensation.

European passenger rights for a cancelled flight

As a European passenger, you have specific rights that support you in such situations. Have you heard of Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004? According to this regulation, you have the following rights if your flight is cancelled:

Right to an Alternative Flight

An alternative flight is a solution the airline offers when your scheduled flight cannot proceed. This alternative flight may typically be scheduled for the same day or the next, depending on availability and circumstances.

The airline has several obligations towards you in such cases:

• To ensure you reach your intended destination. If the alternative flight lands at a nearby airport, the airline must provide transportation to the initially planned location.

• To provide written communication about the reason for the cancellation.

• To offer food and refreshments according to the waiting time.

• To provide means of communication (calls, email, or fax).

• To offer overnight hotel accommodation if necessary.

• To arrange transport to and from the hotel.

Right to a Refund

Stress levels can be high when your flight is cancelled, especially if you’re abroad or have a tightly planned itinerary. However, you should know you have the right to a refund.

Under European law, if your flight was cancelled less than 14 days before the scheduled date, you are entitled to a full refund of your ticket. To request this refund, you need to complete a form on the airline’s website, attaching a copy of your ticket and a statement explaining the reasons for your request. Since this can be a bureaucratic process, patience is key.

Note: If the alternative flight offered by the airline is too late or no longer relevant for your travel, you can request a refund for the entire trip.

Right to compensation for the cancelled flight

When your flight is cancelled, regardless of whether you’re flying with Wizz Air or another airline, you have the right to compensation. For cancelled flights, the compensation depends on several factors, including the flight distance, the notification time, and the arrival airport location.

For example, in the case of compensation for a cancelled Wizz Air flight, if you were informed less than 14 days before the flight date, you may be eligible for compensation of up to €600, depending on the flight distance.

Important!

You have the right to compensation even if your flight departs from a non-European country towards the EU or vice versa, as long as the flight is operated by a European airline.

Are you entitled to compensation for a cancelled flight in the USA?

If you’re in a situation where your flight within the USA is cancelled, it’s essential to understand the airline’s compensation policy. Unlike European regulations, US airlines aren’t legally required to compensate passengers for delayed or cancelled flights. Instead, each airline sets its own policies.

Most US airlines offer certain services in the event of a cancellation, including an alternative flight to the final destination if available, a refund for the unused flight segment, and quick rescheduling for another flight. Although these offers can be helpful, they don’t always replace the value of the original flight.

You may also be offered a voucher for future flights as an alternative to your initial trip. Before accepting this voucher, carefully read all documents provided by the airline! These should include details on any delays, booking requirements, and seat availability limits.

When are you not eligible for compensation for a cancelled flight?

You may not be eligible for compensation in the case of extraordinary circumstances. These are situations that prevent the flight from operating and are beyond the airline’s control, such as:

• Severe weather conditions like hurricanes or storms;

• Political or military instability in the destination country;

• Security threats or strikes affecting airport operations.

In such cases, airlines are not obligated to compensate for cancelled flights.

Note: Even if you’re not eligible to claim a refund due to a cancelled flight, the airline must still provide meals, refreshments, and, if necessary, accommodation based on the delay duration.

What to do if the airline cancels your flight?

You’ll need several documents to claim compensation for cancelled flights. These include:

• Written proof of the reason for cancellation;

• Any communication from the airline;

• Flight tickets;

• Boarding pass;

• Relevant receipts;

• Tax invoices for goods and services purchased due to the cancellation.

Some airlines may offer vouchers in exchange for waiving your right to claim compensation. Be sure to carefully review any documents provided by airline staff before signing. Don’t rush into accepting an offer that seems too good to be true.

How to file a cancelled flight compensation claim?

1. Check eligibility: Use our free online calculator to verify your eligibility for compensation! Just enter your flight details, and our tool will tell you if you’re entitled to cancelled flight compensation.

2. Submit your compensation claim: If you’re eligible for compensation, submit your claim using our easy online form. The more details you provide, the higher your chances of obtaining compensation.

3. We’ll handle the rest: Once your claim is submitted, our team of experts will take it from there. We’ll contact the airline, represent you in all communications, and fight for your rights.

4. Receive your cancelled flight compensation: If your claim is approved, you’ll receive the compensation directly to your bank account. At AirClaim, we operate on a "No Win, No Fee" basis, meaning you pay us a commission only if we successfully claim your compensation.

What is the deadline to file a claim for a cancelled flight?

Under Directive 261, you have up to 3 years from the cancelled flight date to file a claim. While this may seem generous, we encourage you to act as soon as possible.

Why? Airlines may delay responding or complicate the process, aiming to either make you give up or resolve administrative issues. Delaying the claim submission can also postpone the compensation process or even lead to losing the right to compensation.

Frequently asked questions about cancelled flights and compensation

• Can I receive anything other than compensation for a cancelled flight? Yes! You can request both cancelled flight compensation and a refund for the unused flight segment due to the inconvenience.

• Can I find out if my flight was cancelled today? Yes, simply visit the airline’s official website. Most have a “Departures” section where you can enter your flight number or destination for updated information about your flight status. Be sure to have all the necessary details on hand and carefully check the displayed information!

• How long does it take to receive a refund for a cancelled flight ticket? By law, the airline must refund the amount paid for cancelled flight tickets within 7 days of the request.

• In what other situations can I receive compensation from airlines? You may be compensated for delayed flights, denied boarding, missed connections, and lost or damaged baggage.

• How much does it cost to file a claim for a cancelled flight with AirClaim? AirClaim operates on a “No Win, No Fee” principle. However, if we succeed in securing your compensation for a cancelled flight, we retain a 29% + VAT commission from the amount obtained.

• Can I submit a compensation claim for a cancelled flight on behalf of another person? Yes. Before filing, it’s essential to obtain permission from the person on whose behalf you are filing. Without this permission, your claim may be rejected by the airline.