Flight delay

Flight delay compensation

If your flight is considered delayed depends on the time of the arrival at the final destination and not according to the time of the departure. The arrival time is counted as the time when the aircraft reaches the final destination and at least one of the aircrafts doors opens and the passengers are permitted to disembark.

Flight delay compensations are based on the distance of the flight and the duration of the delay. This is what you are entitled to:

• Flights up to 1 500 km – EUR 250
• Flights of more than 1 500 km in the EU and 1 500 – 3 500 km for flights outside of the EU and covered by the regulations – EUR 400
• Flights over 3 500 km outside of the EU and covered by the regulations – EUR 600

A claim for compensation for a delayed flight could be argued if your flight arrives at the final destination with a delay of more than 3 hours in comparison to scheduled time of arrival. The distance is estimated on basis of the last destination where denied boarding or a cancelled flight leads to a delayed arrival in relation to the original timetable.

Air passenger rights also applies if your flight arrives at the final destination with a delay of more than 3 hours due to a missed connecting flight. In order to be entitled to compensation, all flights must have the same reservation number and not been purchased separately.

If the delay could have been prevented and it thus can be considered to be within the operating air carriers control, a compensation claim could be argued. Otherwise, the operating air carrier themselves must prove that the delay was due to an extraordinary circumstance. Mostly, they refer to the delay as "technical problems" or other operational circumstances. However, most court cases have stated that this type of circumstances is not sufficiently extraordinary to annul the obligations to the air passengers.

Checklist if your flight is delayed:

• Ask the operating air carrier to confirm the incident and reason for the delay.
• Find out your rights at the airport. Among other things, the operating air carrier is obligated to offer you meals and refreshments in a reasonable relation to the waiting time. Free of charge, you have the right to make two phone calls, send an e-mail or fax message. You also have the right to a hotel accommodation and transfer back and forth to the airport and the place of accommodation if the incident with your flight so requires.
• Do not sign a waiver or accept any offer, for example value checks for future trips or other benefits, which may affect your right to compensation.
• Gather the necessary information, such as boarding passes, other travel documents, receipts for your expenses, vouchers etcetera. Just make sure to save the originals of all relevant documents!
• Make sure to note the arrival time to the final destination, that is to say when at least one of the aircrafts doors opens and the passengers are permitted to disembark.
• Submit your claim as soon as possible within reasonable time, and by no later than the limitation period admits.
• Keep in mind that each passenger is entitled to compensation. If you have travelled with family or friends, you can list your fellow passengers contact information in the application form when claiming your rights. We will then contact each of them.
• You also have the right to receive compensation if your flight is delayed in connection with a business trip. No matter who paid for the ticket, the person entitled to compensation is the person whose name is on the ticket and the one who has suffered the trouble and inconvenience caused by the incident with the flight.