Compensation for Flight delays

Recently I got a call from a customer with regards to delays on his flight from last year, and how he wanted to claim for a 2 hour flight delay; as he saw something on day time TV. So I had a look and there was a Ruling for customers who have been delayed for over 3 hours in the last 7 years.

This has opened the doors to some compensation. For passenger who have holidays or business trips hit by delays to claim compensation.

When did it happen?

Last October the European Court of Justice rules that delays, caused by events such as lack of flight crew or even technical faults, may raise compensation claims.

Therefore;

Under EU rules, airlines must pay compensation for cancelled or heavily delayed flights, as always there are ways for them to not pay; so when you where stuck due to the volcanic ash clouds a few years back or other “acts of god” or’ extraordinary circumstances’, like hurricane .basically events beyond there control like Strike actions. I think it will be interesting to see what happens when it gets to mechanical failures!!!!!

Also It is only applicable to flights departing and entering an EU airport with an EU carrier.

Entitlements:

If your flight is delayed by more than three hours, cancelled or overbooked, you may be able to claim.

The compensation amounts are €250 (£210) for inter-EU flights of 930 miles or less, €400 (£330) for flights between 930 and 1,860 miles and €600 (£500) for other journeys.

How do I check if my flight was delayed & How do I claim?.

To claim you need to contact the airline by telling the airline their flight number, names and reason for the delay.

You can register at www.Flightstats.co.uk  to check for the delays.

If your airline turns down your claim under extraordinary circumstances you can challenge this if you do not believe it to be true. So pens at the ready!!!!

Don’t forget the airline also has a duty of care

Duty of care that is also detailed in the regulations (Regulation (EC) 261/2004)

This means the airlines must provide passengers with meals and refreshments and accommodation with transport between the airport and accommodation if applicable;. Airlines are breaking the rules if they do not offer.