Discover what the airline should provide if your flight experiences delays:

If your flight is delayed significantly, your airline is obligated to provide you with:

  • Meals and beverages
  • Access to phone calls and emails
  • Overnight accommodation if the delay extends into the night, including transportation between the airport and the hotel.

The duration of the delay required for these provisions varies based on the flight's distance and the countries involved.

If your flight is delayed by 3 hours or more:

You are entitled to compensation if the delay exceeds 3 hours, and it's due to the airline's fault, such as insufficient bookings or technical issues. However, compensation is unlikely if the delay is caused by factors beyond the airline's control, such as adverse weather or security concerns.

The airline may issue vouchers for these services at the airport. If no assistance is offered, don't forget to retain receipts for your expenses and consider claiming reimbursement from the airline later. It's important to note that airlines typically cover only 'reasonable' expenses, and expenses like alcohol, extravagant meals, or luxury hotels are unlikely to be reimbursed.

For travelers on a non-UK flight connecting to a UK flight:

You can typically seek compensation if:

  • Both flights were booked as a single reservation.
  • Your delay surpassed 3 hours.
  • The delay was the airline's responsibility.

For instance, if you were flying from London to Melbourne with a stopover in Dubai, and your connecting flight was delayed or you couldn't board, you would still be eligible for compensation. The compensation amount is determined by both the flight's distance and the length of the delay.

How to claim compensation:

To receive compensation, you must file a claim with the airline, either through their website or by contacting their customer service department.

If your flight is delayed by 5 hours or more:

You have the option to decline the flight if it is delayed for 5 hours or more.

If you choose not to take the flight:

The airline is legally obligated to provide:

  • A full refund for the flight.
  • A full refund for any other flights on the same booking that you won't use, such as onward or return flights.
  • If you are mid-journey, a return flight to your original departure airport.

You should receive the refund within 7 days of the scheduled flight date. Be sure to inform the airline as soon as you decide not to proceed with the flight.

If you decide to take the flight:

You can claim compensation of up to €520 if the delay is the airline's fault, depending on the distance and destination of your flight and the extent of the delay. Possible reasons for the airline's fault include technical problems or overbooking.

However, compensation is unlikely if the delay is due to factors beyond the airline's control, such as adverse weather or security issues.

When receiving a replacement flight:

If you have to wait long enough for your replacement flight, the airline is legally obligated to assist you with essential needs, including:

  • Meals and refreshments
  • Access to phone calls and emails
  • Overnight accommodation, as well as transportation between the airport and the hotel.

The duration of the delay required for these provisions varies based on the flight's distance and the countries involved.

In case of flight cancellation:

You have the legal right to choose between:

  • A full refund, which includes other flights from the same airline within the same booking, such as onward or return flights.
  • A replacement flight to reach your destination.

If you are midway through your journey and don't want a replacement flight, you also have the right to a flight back to your original departure airport.

Try to request a refund or replacement at the airport if possible. If not, you can file a claim with the airline later.

You also have the legal right to:

  • Assistance with costs if the cancellation delays you by 2 or more hours.
  • Compensation if the replacement flight offered would delay you by 2 or more hours, and you were given less than 2 weeks' notice.

When receiving a replacement flight:

If you have to wait long enough for your replacement flight, the airline is legally obligated to assist you with essential needs, including:

  • Meals and refreshments
  • Access to phone calls and emails
  • Overnight accommodation, as well as transportation between the airport and the hotel.

The duration of the delay required for these provisions varies based on the flight's distance and the countries involved.

The airline might provide vouchers for these services at the airport. If no assistance is offered, keep your expense receipts and consider claiming from the airline later. Remember that airlines typically reimburse only 'reasonable' expenses, and expenses like alcohol, extravagant meals, or luxury hotels are unlikely to be covered.

To claim compensation for a canceled flight:

You are legally entitled to compensation if the airline is responsible for the cancellation, and both of the following conditions apply:

    The replacement flight delays your arrival by 2 or more hours. Your flight was canceled less than 14 days before the scheduled departure.

The amount of compensation you're entitled to depends on:

  • When the flight was canceled.
  • The distance of the flight.
  • The departure and arrival times of the rescheduled flight.

You can submit a claim to the airline to seek compensation. Alternatively, you might be able to claim through your travel insurance, so check if your insurance policy covers cancellations.

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