sunset clouds 1149792 1920

When John Denver penned the lyrics of his iconic song ‘Leaving on a Jet Plane’ he definitely wasn’t thinking about flight delays.

But flight delays are a reality that passengers often have to face. If you are left stranded in a European Union (EU) airport or get late to your destination due to a delayed EU flight, you have the right to seek compensation. So, how much compensation are you entitled to and how can you make a claim for flight delay compensation? We bring to you the answers here.

When can you make a flight delay compensation claim?

EU regulations say that you can seek compensation for a flight delay of over three hours when travelling from an EU airport. You are also entitled to compensation for delayed arrival on an EU airline at an EU airport. In this case, your delayed arrival must be over two hours from the scheduled arrival time. Note that if you suffer delayed arrival on a non-EU carrier to an EU airport, your flight delay compensation claim will depend on the terms and conditions of the airline. You can legally claim compensation for delayed flights as long back as six years.

How much can you claim?

 Depending on the duration of delay and the flight distance, you are entitled to cash compensation as follows:

A) When the flight is delayed by 3 hours or more:

  • If your flight distance is less than 1500 km, you are entitled to cash compensation of €250.
  • If your flight distance is within 1500 km and 3500 km, you are entitled to cash compensation of €400.
  • If your flight distance is more than 1500 km but within the EU territory, you are entitled to cash compensation of €400.

B) When the flight is delayed by 3 to 4 hours:

  • If your flight distance is more than 3500 km and between non-EU and EU airport, you are entitled to cash compensation of €300.

C) When the flight is delayed by 4 hours or more:

  • If your flight distance is more than 3500 km and between non-EU and EU and airport, you are entitled to cash compensation of €600.

It is the responsibility of the airline to arrange for free food and drink for the passengers in case of any flight delay of over two hours. If you are stranded overnight, the airline has to provide you accommodation as well.

How can you make a claim?

More often than not, airlines ignore or reject the valid compensation claims made by passengers themselves. So, it is better to take the help of a firm which specializes in the task. FairPlane UK are experts when it comes to helping passengers in making successful claims.

In recent years, they have helped countless individuals in reclaiming compensation from various airlines. Being a firm of solicitors, they can legally enforce your claim and ensure that the airline responds positively. As a part of commitment to provide the highest quality service, the company works on a ‘no win no fees basis’.

So, it’s a win-win situation for the clients, who have to pay only if their claim becomes successful.