What are your rights if your flight is delayed or cancelled? Here are our tips for dealing with cancellations and how to get your money back!
Traveling can be a hassle, even when things go according to plan. But when things go wrong, a dream trip can turn into a nightmare. On average, around 20% of flights are delayed by more than a quarter of an hour, while 1% of flights are cancelled. So if you’re taking aplane for a trip, chances are your flight will be delayed or canceled. If this happens to you, how do you deal with the inconvenience, and above all, how do you get your money back?
How can I request a refund for a delayed or cancelled flight?
First of all, you should know that if you’re having trouble filing a claim with the airline yourself, you can enlist the help of startups specializing in air passenger law, such as Indemniflight, which can file claims with airlines on your behalf and obtain reimbursement for a flight delay. You can also find a sample claim letter here to help you make your claim.
When am I entitled to a refund?
If your flight to or from an EU airport is delayed by three hours or more, you are legally entitled to the same compensation as for a cancelled flight. This also applies if you are traveling with an EU-based airline, whether Ryanair, Air France or British Airways (so it works for a Paris-New York flight with an EU-based airline).
Photo credit: Flickr – Craig Sunter
If you have been informed that your flight has been cancelled at very short notice, airlines will normally reimburse you for the inconvenience. However, the only circumstances in which the airline is not legally obliged to provide a refund are when the flight has been cancelled for reasons beyond the airline’s control, such as a volcanic eruption, strike or extreme weather conditions.
Depending on the airline you travel with, you can either get a full refund or an offer for a ticket on another airline to your destination.
Will I be entitled to a refund if I wait for a new flight at the airport?
If you have received a new ticket and have to wait at the airport for more than two hours for a short-haul flight or more than four hours for a long-haul flight, you should receive vouchers for food and drink at the airport. If the delay is beyond the airline’s control, you should turn to your travel insurance. Many insurances include refunds for missed, delayed or cancelled flights. This depends on the company you have taken out the insurance with.
Photo credit: Flickr – ARTS_fox1fire
Who pays for my food and accommodation if I have to stay several extra days?
Food and accommodation are only reimbursed by the airline if you are traveling with an EU airline or departing from an EU airport.
Airlines not based in the EU must also accommodate you or try to place you on another flight. However, they may not provide you with food and drink. You can, however, try to claim these costs from your travel insurance. Accommodation is provided on a case-by-case basis, depending on where you are coming from, where you are stranded, for how long and whether you have friends or family nearby who can put you up.
What can I expect from my airline if my flight is cancelled due to a strike?
If your flight is delayed due to a strike, the airline is obliged to offer you assistance if the waiting time exceeds a certain point. This may include refreshments and accommodation. However, they are not obliged to offer you compensation following a strike, because strikes are generally considered to be part of « extraordinary circumstances ».
If I miss a connection, will I get my money back?
Unfortunately, if you book two flights on different airlines and miss the second flight due to the delay or cancellation of the first, you won’t be able to get a refund for the second flight. That’s why booking flights with the same airline can be « beneficial », even if it’s a little more expensive.
Main photo credit: Flickr – Mathieu Marquer