Flight Cancellation
| Published on 7 February 2006 - 11:57am. |
When an airline cancels a flight, for whatever reason, they are obliged to look after you and get you to your final destination as soon as possible.
If the airline is responsible for the delay then they must pay you compensation.
If you decide NOT to fly
If you decide not to fly, then the airline must refund you in full within 7 days.
If the airline has already flown you part of the way, then they must fly you back to your original departure point free of charge. You must also be refunded in full for the part of the journey already flown.
If you decide to fly
The airline must re-route you either at the earliest opportunity or at a later date if you agree.
The airline can book you with another airline, or, if you agree, provide an alternative mode of transport.
If you ask to be re-routed as soon as possible the airline MUST look after you. You have the right to refreshments, two telephone calls, faxes or emails and overnight accommodation and transport if appropriate.
If the airline decides to cancel the flight in advance, it is still required to offer you either a full refund or re-routing. If you still wish to travel you should insist the airline re-routes you.
Compensation
You are only entitled to compensation if the airline is responsible for the delay. Examples include:
- no crew available
- fault with the aircraft
- late running of the aircraft
You should be aware that some airlines will try to avoid paying compensation. You should make a note of the details of any announcements or information given to you at the airport or on the plane. Take photographs to back up any information if appropriate. Exchange names and addresses with other passengers as you will be able to support each others claims if the airline tries to avoid a compensation payment.
You won't get your compensation at the airport. Worry about the details of your compensation once your trip is completed. At the airport just ensure that you are looked after properly by the airline.
You are entitled to compensation as shown below. You are only entitled to compensation for delay if your original flight was cancelled and you were re-routed by the airline.
| Total Distance of your Flight | How Late You Arrive | Amount of Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 1500km (930 miles) | Less than 2 hours | €125 |
| Up to 1500km (930 miles) | More than 2 hours | €250 |
| Between 1500km and 3500km (930 - 2200 miles) | Less than 3 hours | €200 |
| Between 1500km and 3500km (930 - 2200 miles) | More than 3 hours | €400 |
| Over 3500km (2200 miles) | Less than 4 hours | €300 |
| Over 3500km (2200 miles) | More than 4 hours | €600 |
The amounts above are shown in Euros. A Euro is worth approximately £0.65 (be sure to check the current rate).
Flights Cancelled in Advance
If the airline tells you that your flight has been cancelled before you travel, then it must offer you a refund or re-routing in all cases.
If the flight is cancelled more than 14 days in advance then the airline does not have to pay you compensation.
If the flight is cancelled between 7 and 14 days in advance, the airline can avoid paying you compensation as long as it can get you to your final destination within 4 hours of your original arrival time, and your new flight does not leave more than 2 hours before the original time.
If the flight is cancelled less than 7 days in advance then the airline can avoid paying compensation as long as it can get you to your final destination within 2 hours of your original arrival time, and your new flight does not leave more than 1 hour before the original departure time.
