Millions of people could be losing out on compensation
Millions of people could be losing out on compensation
With colder months upon us and Christmas just around the corner, people will be preparing for cosy city breaks abroad to enjoy some of the best festive markets Europe’s got to offer. Others will be hoping to catch some winter sun and escape the miserable, cold weather.
One thing for certain is that unexpected hiccups can creep up when travelling, no matter where you are heading. One disruption may be flight delays or cancellations but there are things you can do if your flight is delayed.
In fact, you can claim hundreds of pounds in compensation if you’re delayed on a flight covered by UK law. Depending on the circumstances, you could be entitled to claim between £220 and £520 if you’re delayed by three hours or more.
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To be covered, the flight must be regulated either by UK or EU rules. This means if it’s a flight within the UK and EU, you’re covered as it’ll definitely have left a UK/EU airport. If you’ve got a flight from outside the EU going back to the UK things become more complicated.
Are you eligible for compensation?
Certain EU/UK-regulated flights are eligible for compensation at a set rate under the UK/EU flight delay compensation scheme. To qualify, your flight needs to check all the following boxes:
- You arrived at your destination more than three hours later than scheduled.
- The flight was scheduled to fly in the past six years (five in Scotland).
- The reason for the delay was the airline’s fault.
Martin Lewis’ Money Saving Expert website states: “Crucially, it’s about when you arrive, not when you leave. You’ll start being eligible for compensation if your flight arrives three hours (or more) later than scheduled. So if you’re on a flight that takes off four hours late but lands two hours 55 minutes late, you won’t be eligible.”
What the airline should give you if delays happen
Citizens Advice say that if your flight is delayed for long enough, your airline has to give you:
- food and drink
- access to phone calls and emails
- accommodation if you’re delayed overnight – and journeys between the airport and the hotel
The airline might give you vouchers to get these things at the airport. If they don’t give you help at the airport, keep receipts for expenses and try to claim from the airline later.
How much money could you be entitled to?
You’re entitled to a set amount of compensation depending on the distance of your flight and how late you are getting to your destination. You have to claim from the airline to get compensation. Search their website or call their customer services department.
- Delay three or more hours and flight distances less than 1,500km could lead to £220 in compensation.
- Delay three or more hours and flight distance between 1,500km and 3,500km could to to £350 in compensation.
- Delay four or more hours and flight distance more than 3,500km could lead to £520 in compensation.
- Delay less than four hours and flight distance more than 3,500km could lead to £260 in compensation.
If your flight is delayed by more than five hours
You don’t have to take the flight if it’s delayed for five hours or more. You should get the refund within 7 days of the date of the flight. If this happens you’re entitled to the following:
- a full refund for the flight.
- a full refund for other flights from the airline that you won’t use in the same booking, eg an onward or return flight.
- if you’re part-way through a journey, a flight back to the airport you originally departed from.
