Flight cancellations have a way of disrupting even the most well-thought-out travel plans. Suddenly, you’re stranded and need to find another way to get where you’re going.
While this might feel a bit overwhelming, with some tips and tricks, you can turn things around. Plus, when you know your rights, you know that certain flight cancellations mean passengers can claim airline compensation to help with the inconvenience.
We’ll cover exactly what to do when your flight is cancelled, the options for compensation and refund, and how to claim the money you’re owed using the best flight cancellation compensation company in the market today: AirAdvisor.
First Steps After an Airline Cancels Your Flight
- Stay calm and get as much information about the cancellation as you can, such as why it was cancelled in the first place.
- Check the available options for rerouting to continue your journey – ask about other airlines, too.
- If you’re not continuing, request an immediate refund.
- Ask the airline about complimentary food, drinks, and accommodation (the right to care).
- Keep all your receipts for out-of-pocket expenses.
Practical Tips for Flight Cancellations
There are a few things you can do to minimise the disruption:
- Pack your essentials in your hand luggage, like medication, chargers, and important documents.
- Download the airline’s app for timely updates. Getting info quickly can better position you for replacement flights and other actions.
- Don’t accept compensation too quickly. Offers made at the airport are often significantly less than what you can actually claim.
- Consider purchasing travel insurance in case your flight circumstances aren’t eligible for compensation.
Why Airlines Cancel Flights
A cancelled flight can be caused by many factors, but the most common are:
- Bad weather conditions
- Technical problems with the aircraft.
- Scheduling issues, including shortages
- Strikes
- Air traffic control restrictions
Why the Cancellation Reason Matters
Getting to the bottom of why the flight is cancelled impacts your compensation eligibility. Flight cancellations attributable to “extraordinary circumstances” mean no compensation is payable.
Extraordinary circumstances are factors outside the airline’s control. From the list above, no payout is generally possible if the cancellation is due to weather, air traffic control, or non-airline strikes.
On the other hand, airline strikes, scheduling problems, and poor aircraft maintenance can entitle you to compensation.
What Are Your Rights When a Flight Is Cancelled?
Cancelled flight compensation is governed by two regulations in their associated regions: UK261 and EU261. Cancellations made with fewer than 14 days’ notice that were not caused by extraordinary circumstances are compensation-eligible. That’s also provided that they:
- Depart from a UK or EU airport on any airline, or
- Arrive at a UK or EU airport on a UK/EU-based airline
Depending on flight distances and the length of the delay, compensation up to £520/€600 is possible.
Refund or Rerouting Options
When your flight is cancelled, you’re entitled to either a full refund or a replacement flight. Note that this also includes any unused flights that are now useless. This refund is entirely separate from the potential monetary compensation outlined above.
Care & Assistance – What Airlines Must Provide
Aside from monetary compensation, airlines are required to keep you comfortable at the airport while you wait for an alternative flight. This includes:
- Refreshments (drinks, meals)
- Communication access to rearrange your plans
- Hotels and airport transportation for overnight delays
What you can get depends on where you’re going and the airport wait time. It starts at a wait time of two hours or more for short flights and goes to four hours or more for long-haul flights (over 3,500km).
Why Claiming Alone Can Be Difficult
Let’s face it, airlines don’t want to part with their money and will often try tricks to avoid paying the compensation you deserve. They’ll hide behind extraordinary circumstances or make the paperwork so confusing that you give up.
The communication you receive can also be confusing, and airlines tend to draw the process out in the hopes that you forget you even started a claim. That’s why you need an airline compensation company to fight for you!
Choosing the Best Compensation Service Company
AirAdvisor is the #1 global flight and baggage compensation service, recognized for delivering the best value and holding the best reputation worldwide (4.7/5). Plus:
- The no-win, no-fee policy makes it completely risk-free
- 98% success rate
- A combination of aviation law expertise with advanced AI and flight intelligence
- Trusted by 500,000+ travelers from 150+ countries
- The process is fast and stress-free – handled for you from start to finish
- The goal is always the maximum possible compensation amount
Starting your claim is easy, just enter your flight details and some supplementary info. You’ll be done in two minutes or less. Then, the compensation is paid directly to your account once the claim is settled. It doesn’t get any easier than that!
Don’t Miss Out on What You’re Owed
The key to dealing with stressful flight cancellations is a little preparation in the form of travel insurance, downloading airline apps, staying calm, and knowing your rights.
From the right to care to refunds and replacement flights to monetary compensation, there’s a lot to keep track of. And because airlines won’t always be forthcoming with compensation, trust AirAdvisor’s top airline compensation experts to get you everything you deserve. Don’t risk leaving any money on the table!
