Every air trip is always a bit of an adventure! But, alas, there are times when even a small trip turns into a real headache, for example, if your flight is delayed or canceled altogether. Let's learn what to do in such situations and how to get the maximum possible compensation.
Refund of tickets in case of delay or cancellation of flights
It is a standard practice in many countries to refund money for tickets in case of flight delay or cancellation. Let's take a closer look.
- In the European Union, compensation is possible if your flight is delayed for more than 2 hours. It is important to understand that the longer the delay, the more likely it is that additional costs will be compensated.
- In the United States, the situation is somewhat more complicated, as there is no legislation governing compensation for flight delays. But don't worry, airlines may still offer you something as compensation.
To get a refund for the ticket, you need to contact the airline with an application and, of course, documents, confirming the delay or cancellation of your flight: this can be information from the board indicating the delay, notifications from the airline to your e-mail or SMS messages.
Compensation for flight delay or cancellation
Now let's move on to the most interesting part – compensation.
- In the EU, passengers are provided with compensation for flight delays. The amount depends on how long the delay was and how far you planned to move. In the EU, compensation is paid within seven days.
- In the United States, compensation for flight delays is provided only in the case of overbooking. The situation of overbooking means that more seats are sold on a flight than the plane can accommodate - does not happen so rarely. The amount of compensation here can reach $675, but it all depends on the specific situation and conditions of the airline.
Receiving compensation for overbooking
What should you do if you are "lucky" and get overbooked? In the United States, overbooking is, to be honest, almost commonplace. If your airline cannot find a volunteer who would agree to give up their seat, you may be offered compensation: a voucher for future tickets or other services.
Actions at the airport in case of flight delay or cancellation
The first and most important thing is to stay calm. Chaotic actions and panic do not help anyone! In the case of a flight delay, you always have two options: either you choose another flight or return the ticket with compensation.
In the event of a flight cancellation, the airline must offer you an alternative flight or refund your money – this is their responsibility, and you have every right to demand what you are entitled to by law.
In the EU, in the event of a flight delay, you are entitled to certain free services at the airport: it can be food, drinks, internet access, or even hotel accommodation if the delay is very long.
General recommendations
In order not to get lost in the flow of information and not to miss your rights, here are some basic tips:
- Save all documents. This is the golden rule! All emails, SMS, receipts, tickets sent - all this can be useful to you to confirm your words and receive compensation.
- It is not recommended to contact the airline through social networks. Sometimes such appeals are simply ignored, and no one will swear at them. It is better to use the official application form on the airline's website or by phone.
- In the case of a flight delay or cancellation (especially in the United States), always read the refund and compensation conditions specified in the contract of carriage. This will save you from unexpected surprises.
Hopefully, these tips will help you be prepared for any surprises that may await you at the airport. We wish you only pleasant flights and minimal delays!
