What help can I get at the airport?
Generally, for delays of more than two hours, your airline should provide care and assistance. Depending on the timescales, you could be entitled to:
- Sufficient food and drink for your waiting time
- Transport between the hotel and the airport if needed
- Two calls/emails/fax messages
- Overnight accommodation if needed
Monetary compensation is only available after three hours’ delay. For care and assistance, your delay must be two hours or more for distances up to 1,500km, three hours or more for 1,500 to 3,500km, or four hours for distances of over 3,500km.
Circ*mstances to which EU Reg 261 and UK equivalent do not apply
You cannot claim cancellation compensation under the Regulation if:
- Your airline informs you of the cancellation 14 days or more in advance
- Your flight did not depart from the EU or UK or arrive in the EU or UK on an EU or UK airline
- You make your claim more than six years after the flight
- You did not check in on time
- The airline was not responsible e.g. unavoidable freak weather
What are my rights if my flight is cancelled less than one week before travel?
Your airline must offer you an alternative flight if yours is cancelled, even if it’s with another airline. Your compensation will vary depending on flight length and the length of the delay:
- Up to 1,500km: if your replacement flight leavesearly byan houror more, you could claim€125. If the flight arrives more thantwo hours late, you could claim€250.
- Between 1,500 and 3,500km orover 1,500km and between two EU states or the EU and UK:if your replacement flight leaves more thanan hour earlyor arrivestwo to three hourslate, you could claim€200. If it’s more thanthree hourslate, you could claim€400.
- Over 3,500km: if your replacement flight leaves an hour early or more, you could claim€300.If it arrivestwo to four hours late, you could claim€300, or if it’s more thanfour hours late, you could claim€600.
You could also claim for alternative transport, a return flight to your departure destination, and a full refund.
What are my rights if my flight is cancelled 7-14 days before travel?
Your rights are similar to flights cancelled with less than a week’s notice. However, the delay times vary slightly with regards to compensation.
- Up to 1,500km: if your replacement flight leaves more thantwo hours early, you could claim€125. If the flight arrives more thanfour hours late,you could claim€250.
- Between 1,500 and 3,500km orover 1,500km and between two EU states or the EU and UK:if your replacement flight leaves more thantwo hoursearly, you could claim€200.If it arrivesmore than four hourslate, you could claim€400.
- Over 3,500km: if your replacement flight leavesmore than two hours early,you could claim€300. If it arrives more thanfour hours late, you could claim€600.
What are my rights if my flight is cancelled more than 14 days before travel?
Under these circ*mstances, your airline has fulfilled its obligation to inform you. Therefore, all claims are ineligible. However, you can still claim for:
- A full refund
- A replacement flight
How much compensation can I claim for a cancelled flight?
Compensation for cancelled flights is based on the flight distance and delay time. If no replacement flight is offered you’ll be able to claim the following amounts:
- Short distances up to 1,500km e.g. London to Edinburgh: €250
- Medium distances between 1,500km and 3,500km or between two EU countries e.g. London to Athens: €400
- Long distances of more than 3,500km e.g. London to Tokyo: €600
Can I get a refund if my flight is cancelled?
Assuming your flight meets the criteria, you can apply for a full refund regardless of when the cancellation was announced. This is separate from the monetary compensation offered.
My flight was cancelled due to weather – what are my rights?
Providing the weather circ*mstances are not “wholly exceptional”, for example, heavy snow in July in Spain, you may be entitled to compensation. You could claim:
- Up to €600 in compensation or a ticket reimbursem*nt/alternative flight
- Refreshments and snacks for more than two hours’ waiting
This does not affect flights cancelled more than 14 days in advance.
What are my rights for flights delayed due to bad weather?
If your flight is delayed and arrives more than three hours late, you may be entitled to up to €600 in compensation. However, this is dependent on distance:
| Distance | Delay time | Compensation |
| Short distance <1,500km | More than 3 hours | Free food/drink and two phone calls, emails or faxes (after 2 hours’ delay). Up to €250. |
| Medium distance 1500-3,500km | More than 3 hours | Free food/drink and two phone calls, emails or faxes. Up to €400. |
| Long-haul >3,500km | More than 4 hours | Free food/drink and two phone calls, emails or faxes. Up to €600. |
Remember, this applies to flights departing the EU or UK or arriving into the EU or UK on an EU or UK airline, but not to flights cancelled more than six years ago, missed check-ins or extraordinary circ*mstances.
What types of bad weather can I claim for?
Before you make a claim for cancelled or delayed flights, it’s important to understand what is meant by “extraordinary circ*mstances”.
This is referred to in Article 5 III of EU Regulation 261 and UK equivalent. In the regulation it states: “The airline has no control over such circ*mstances, nor can they stop them from arising, even if all reasonable measures had been taken by the air carrier concerned to avoid the delays or cancellations.”
So, for example, if an airline de-iced their planes in wintry conditions and still couldn’t fly, your claim could be ineligible.
What kinds of weather circ*mstances are deemed “extraordinary”?
Wind and rain
While this usually isn’t enough to ground planes, extreme wind and rain may lead to Air Traffic Control restricting flights. This would be extraordinary and therefore not claimable.
Sandstorms
Generally speaking, these are not considered common enough weather conditions to warrant compensation. However, if Air Traffic Control deems it safe to fly, then you could make a claim.
Fog
In cases in which Air Traffic Control does not allow planes to fly due to low visibility, it may be difficult to claim. However, if fog affects a flight taking off which has a knock-on effect on your flight, you could make a claim.
Ash clouds
These would generally be considered an extraordinary circ*mstance, but their airline should take care of passengers e.g. with food and drink.
Snow
In countries with continual bouts of heavy snow, this would be expected and you may be able to claim. However, if the case were “wholly exceptional”, such as heavy snowfall in Egypt, your claim would be ineligible.
Other extraordinary circ*mstances may include political unrest, terrorism or industrial action.
You may be able to claim if a cancelled flight had a knock-on effect on yours. Airlines can only use extraordinary weather as a defence if it affects the “flight in question”.
Exceptions
In some circ*mstances, airlines may be forced to award compensation if they did not take precautions. For example, if they did not use antifreeze during wintry conditions, you may be able to claim. However, this is hard to prove. A good way to check is to see if other airlines’ flights have been delayed or cancelled.
Ultimately, Air Traffic Control will decide whether or not it was safe to travel during the inclement weather.
How will airlines take care of me if my flight is delayed?
If your flight is delayed for a significant amount of time, you need to make a decision. Firstly, you should find out when your airline will be able to fly you to your destination. It is their legal obligation to get you there, but this may be very time-consuming.
For delays of more than five hours, you can opt out of your flight. You’ll be entitled to a full refund, and if you’re transferring, you will be entitled to a flight back to the departure airport.
These laws are applicable to all EU and UK airports as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland airports.
If yours is a short flight, your airline must offer support after two hours. This may be longer for long-haul flights. Generally, they must provide:
- Vouchers for a reasonable amount of food and drink
- Two free calls, emails or fax messages
- Accommodation for overnight delays
- Transport to and from your accommodation/airport
How can I plan ahead for bad weather?
It’s difficult to predict the weather 14 days in advance, so you’ll rarely see cancellations on these grounds. If bad weather is on the way, there are ways to amend your travel plans to avoid delays. Consider:
Monitoring the weather close to the airport
Keep a daily check on the weather in the lead-up to your trip. Sites such as theMet Officeoffer forecasts up to three weeks in advance.
Book a morning flight
This will give you better chances of booking a flight later in the day if yours is delayed.
Contact the airline
It is your airline’s responsibility to keep you informed about your flight. Call their helpline in the week, days or even day of your travel for updates.
Have a plan B
Make alternative arrangements for travel if your flights are grounded, for example train or coach. Likewise, if your flight is connecting, allow plenty of time between flights.
Call your hotel
To avoid being booked out, call your accommodation provider and let them know about any delays.
Has your flight been delayed or cancelled?Make a claim with Flight Patrol.
