Example Entitlements for Flight Problems
| Published on 7 February 2006 - 3:47pm. |
My flight was cancelled 3 weeks before departure
We were stranded in Krakow when our return flight was cancelled until following day
We knew the flight was running late but had problems when we checked in
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My flight was cancelled 3 weeks before departure
Regardless of the reason why your flight was cancelled, you can choose either to accept a full refund or insist that the airline re-routes you.
If you have picked up a particularly good fare then you'll be interested in insisting the airline gets you to your destination otherwise you may end up paying a higher fare with another airline.
We were stranded in Krakow when our return flight was cancelled until following day. We had booked a weekend away and spent 3 days in Krakow. When we came for our flight back to London we were told it was cancelled due to an aircraft fault. The airline asked us to come back the following day.
The airline has a responsibility to look after you and provide you with accommodation and meals until it is able to fly you (or organise a flight with another airline). It must also pay for any transport costs between the airport and the hotel.
As an aircraft fault is the airline's responsibility, you will also be entitled to compensation. Krakow / London is just under the 1500km limit, so you will each receive 250 Euros from the airline.
We knew the flight was running late but had problems when we checked in
We checked on the internet and saw that the incoming flight for our Manchester - Amsterdam flight was 3 hours late. As we didn't want to hang around the airport, we got there an hour before the actual departure to be told we couldn't fly.
You must check in on time, even if you know the flight is going to be late. As you were late checking in, the airline has no obligation to fly you, or to offer you compensation.
I was flying from Edinburgh to Munich via Amsterdam and had a four hour delay due to industrial action at Amsterdam
Even though industrial action is not the airline's fault, you are entitled to assistance because of the delay. This should have been provided after 2 hours.
Got to Stansted to check in on time and found the 3pm flight had been "rescheduled" until 8pm. DodgeAir said that as the flight was rescheduled we were not entitled to any assistance.
If DodgeAir failed to tell you before you arrived at Stansted then you are entitled to compensation and assistance as if the flight were cancelled.
You can also choose to cancel your flight and take a full refund if you prefer.
You should complain immediately at the airport and insist that you receive refreshments and telephone calls or emails as appropriate. Collect evidence about the "rescheduling", including photographs if appropriate.
Talk to other passengers and exchange details so that you can corroborate each others claim if the airline tries to avoid paying compensation. Write to the airline on your return and claim full compensation as if the flight had been cancelled.
