It’s been a while since many of us set foot on a plane. Let alone an airport. The pandemic put a serious stop to visiting friends and family back home or just traveling in general. But things have looked up lately in regards to being allowed to travel. Just to be followed by some other flying related problems:-)
Disclaimer: To keep The Newbie Guide free, we use affiliate links (marked with *) and may get a commission if you buy using these links. This does not affect our opinions and our writers always recommend their best for your Swedish experience. So if you want to support our work, simply use these links if or when you need to buy a service or product.
Chaos at the airports, long waiting lines, few tickets, expensive tickets, cancelled flights, massive delays – you name it. Flying is still a bit of a headache. We read in the newspapers about people missing weddings, funerals, vacations etc, not to speak of the delays or waiting for hours at the airport just to get through the security check. But hey – it should get better soon right?
However, delays and cancelled flights are unfortunately not that uncommon even during the best of times. And when that happens you may actually be entitled to some compensation. Did you know that? I didn’t until just recently and I am now remembering a particular annoying 13 hour delay to Thailand that I got nothing out of, except some spongy sandwiches. #notbitter.
But let’s look at the practical parts of it all. According to European Commission Regulation 261/2004 and Turkish Regulation On Air Passenger Rights, if your flight was delayed, you are eligible for compensation.
How do I get compensation for my cancelled or delayed flight?
There are two main ways to get your compensation. Once you know your rights, you can compile all the necessary documents, send them to the airline and keep the communication going with them until you do or do not receive your compensation.
If you wish to try this route, you can get some advice from HallåKonsument, a website from The Swedish Consumer Centre. They will not help you with your application but can advice you on your course of action.
The other version is to use a service that specializes in getting passenger compensation. There are a number of services that provide that service, so shop around and have a look at which one fits you the best.
Compensair*
Compensair does all the work for you. Well, except that you have to fill in a form first so they know all the details of your case in order to assess if you can get compensation or not. Basically it goes like this:
- Submit the application which you can do here with us. (Once you’ve clicked send on the first application, it can take a little time to process but just wait, you will get to the second step in the application)
- They will assess your case and inform you of the probability of you receiving compensation and the amount.
- If you have a case, they will get all the necessary documentation and start negotiations with the airline company.
- If they are successful, you get your compensation.
Can I get compensation for a delayed or cancelled flight?
The compensation for a delayed/cancelled flight or denied boarding can be €125-€600. The amount can vary with flight distance and delay duration. The condition is that one of the following happened to you:
- Your flight is delayed for more than 3 hours.
- Your flight is cancelled.
- Your flight is delayed for less than 3 hours, but you miss a connection flight and arrive to your final destination more than 3 hours late.
- You were denied boarding because of lack of vacant seats (overbooking).
However:
- The flight must not be delayed due to weather or other extraordinary conditions.
- The flight must have been started no later than 6 years ago;
How much does it cost, how long does it take and other frequently asked questions
Pretty simple right? But I know, I know – you want to know more. So here are some commonly asked questions:
What will it cost to get the compensation?
These companies usually provide you with all necessary services for free. But they will charge a success fee according to their price list, (you can see Compensairs price list here to get an idea) which is usually somewhere between 10-30% of the compensation. They charge this fee only after receiving the compensation.
How long does it take to get compensation?
Some airlines respond in 2-3 days, some other – in 4-6 weeks. On average they ensure pre-court acceptance within first 8 weeks after claim submission. If court process is involved, the duration can reach 16-20 weeks.
I already submitted a claim to the airline and got rejected. Can they still help?
This is a normal situation, since airlines hardly ever agree to pay at once. That is where their experience working with airlines maximizes the chance to get compensation before court. If the airline still rejects to pay, they may involve third parties to prepare for court procedure to ensure successful resolution of the case.
Do I have to be an EU or Turkey citizen to be able to use their services?
No. You can claim your compensation without holding a EU or Turkey citizenship, which does not affect the implementation of the regulation.
My cancelled or delayed flight happened a long time ago. Can I still get compensation?
If your flight was delayed or cancelled, or you were denied boarding within last 2-6 years (depending on the operating airlne and your route), you are entitled to compensation and can submit an application to Compensair*.
Do you know your rights as a passenger on a plane?
Let’s look at some of your rights. The compensation is only a supplement to the relief provided by airlines for the passengers of delayed flights. The provisions must include:
- Refreshments.
- Free meals appropriate to the delay.
- Free hotel accommodation if an overnight stay is required.
- Hotel transfers if an overnight stay is required.
- Two free phone calls, faxes or emails.
However, you are not entitled to compensation if:
- You were informed about the cancellation 14 days prior to the flight.
- The airline has offered you an alternative flight on the same route and time.
In case of flight cancellation due to extraordinary circumstances, the airline has to offer its passengers one of the following:
- Ticket refund (full price or the unused part of it).
- An alternative transport to your destination.
- Rebooking your flight to a later date, providing that it fits the passengers and the airline.
So if you have been unlucky enough to have a cancelled or delayed flight, see if you are eligible for some compensation. And don’t wait too long like I did.
Good luck!
Leave a Reply