If you have experienced flight cancellation or flight delays, don’t despair, there is hope. This frustrating problem has affected many individuals at one point or another in their lives. Unfortunately, some give up trying to claim any refund at the first hurdle. Most call centers like denying any blame is the airlines, making the claim process long and arduous. The simple fact is if your flight is oversold, delayed, or canceled, you are entitled to claim flight compensation.

EU Laws

EU law is apparent on flight delay compensation. Airlines have to compensate their passengers for the prolonged delays; there is no disputes in that so long as it not caused by circumstances that are surely beyond the control of the carrier company. The EU law states that the airline must pay passengers flight delay compensation, according to an agreed rule of payments set in the new law. Depending on several circumstances, the compensation can be anything up to 600 Euros per person affected by the delay or cancellation. The great news is that passengers can now claim for flight cancellations and delays going back to six years.

Factors that impact compensation

The flight delay compensation paid out is determined by two broad principles; these are the span of the delay and the length of the flight. The compensation levels usually change depending on whether it is a short-haul, medium-haul, or a long-haul flight, with the latter normally paying higher levels of compensation. The description of each of these is as below:

Long haul – these are flight longer than 3,500 kilometres

Medium haul – these are flight between 1,500 kilometres and 3,500 kilometres (2,175 miles)

Short-haul – these are flight up to 1,500 kilometres (932 miles)

The airline has obligations to fulfil during the waiting period for the flight

The passenger is entitled to certain privileges while he/she is waiting at the airport for a delayed flight. In case the delay is more than two hours, the airline company is obliged to give the waiting passengers, meals, refreshments, hotel accommodation, and transportation to the hotel. Furthermore, the airline is obligated to make arrangements for two phone calls or emails for each passenger.

Several companies assist passengers to claim flight compensation from airlines owing to past flight delays. These companies will handle the entire claim process against the airline and also offers a ‘no win no fee’ lawyer service.