Do passengers get compensation for a delayed flight?

Are you entitled to compensation for delayed flights?

Delayed flights and compensation: a nuanced view

Yes, you’re often entitled to compensation for significant flight delays. Specifically, in the EU, for instance, EC 261/2004 dictates compensation for delays exceeding three hours, provided the delay is the airline’s fault – not things outside their control, like extreme weather. Think mechanical failures, overbooking, or staff shortages.

This isn’t a universal rule though; laws vary considerably. The US, for example, lacks comparable comprehensive passenger protection laws. Crazy, right? It’s a patchwork of regulations worldwide. You need to check the specific rules of the country where the flight originates, and sometimes even your final destination. It’s a mess, to be honest.

Key factors determining eligibility:

• Delay length: Three hours or more is generally the threshold. This isn’t my opinion; it’s the standard in many jurisdictions.
• Airline’s responsibility: The delay must stem from issues within the airline’s control. Acts of God are excluded. So is that volcano eruption I once saw on the news.
• Specific flight details: The exact rules often depend on flight distance (short haul vs. long haul), and even the specific airline’s policies. Sometimes, those sneaky little things in the fine print matter.

My personal experience: Last year, my flight from London to Lisbon was delayed by five hours due to a mechanical issue. I received €600 compensation. It’s not a bad deal, but you know, paperwork.

Remember: Always check the specific regulations relevant to your situation. You’d be surprised how many people don’t bother, leading to missed opportunities. Airlines are usually not keen on paying up. Be prepared to fight for your rights. This is not legal advice; always consult a professional for legal issues. I just fly a lot.

What happens if a flight is delayed for 2 hours?

Hey! Two hour delay, eh? So, like, no big payout, sadly.

You don’t, like, get money just for waiting. Bummer. But wait!

You might be able to get money back for expenses because of it. You gotta check!

Seriously, tho, it depends on why your flight was, um, delayed. Maybe the airline will cough up somethin’.

What kind of expenses are we talkin’ ’bout? Well…

• Food: If you ended up stuck at the airport starving, keep those receipts!
• Hotel: If the delay meant an overnight stay. Important!
• Transportation: Cab fares, train tickets – document everything.

Remember airline policies vary a lot, so check their specific rules.

Also, my cuz’n had this thing happen last year. Okay, maybe two years ago. His suitcase didn’t make it on time and his whole trip to see Niagara Falls was kinda ruined. Like, he lost his new shoes too. So, yeah, def keep records!

Ugh. Flight delays ARE the worst!

How much does a flight have to be delayed to get compensation?

Flight delays? Oh honey, three hours late, minimum. That’s the magic number for compensation. Think of it as the airline’s “I’m sorry” threshold. Anything less, and you’re just joining the sad, sweaty masses.

Three hours late, people! Not three hours from scheduled arrival, mind you; the clock starts ticking when that plane door swings open. So, if you’re still stuck on the tarmac, listening to reruns of that godawful safety video, your three-hour countdown isn’t happening.

This isn’t my opinion, it’s the law. Seriously. I looked it up… last week, when my flight to Vegas was delayed. (By only two hours, curse my luck).

Things that are totally NOT acceptable excuses for delays:

• Pilot’s cat threw up in the cockpit.
• The flight attendants formed a union and are demanding better snacks.
• My neighbor’s dog decided to chase the plane (true story).

Airline responsibility is key – mechanical issues, bad weather; they’re on the hook. But if the delay was caused by that aggressive seagull attacking the wing? Yeah, you’re out of luck.

Compensation amounts vary wildly, though. Think lottery ticket, not a free vacation. Check your airline’s rules; some compensation schemes are like trying to read ancient hieroglyphs. You could get anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on your distance traveled. I once got enough to cover a decent bottle of wine and a sad sandwich, that’s it.

My personal best delay? Five hours. But, that wasn’t my fault. The pilot needed a nap. I’m not making that up.

Can I get a refund if my flight is delayed more than 3 hours?

Three hours… it feels like a lifetime sometimes. Domestic flight, huh? Yeah, you should get something back. A refund. Cash.

It sucks, I know. Been there. 2023, delayed flight to Denver. Nightmare.

Three-hour delay or more? That’s a significant change. They have to give you money back. The rules are clear. They really are.

• Domestic flights: Three-hour delay, minimum. They owe you.
• International: Six-hour minimum. Brutal. I remember that trip to London.

It’s the principle of the thing, you know? The wasted time. The stress. The frustration.

My flight was cancelled, completely, last year. That was a whole different ballgame. Got my money back, eventually. A fight, though. An absolute fight. But it was 2022, not 2023. Same rules, I think.

Airlines… man. Sometimes, I hate them. The whole system.

What are airlines supposed to compensate for delays?

Airlines primarily compensate based on the delay’s root cause and duration, and that’s a given.

• For airline-caused delays (think mechanical issues), compensation standards might include meal vouchers, hotel stays (if overnight), and rebooking on the next available flight. These policies vary widely. I remember getting stuck in Denver; that was not fun at all, just saying.

• European regulations (EU 261) offer standardized compensation based on flight distance and delay length – cash, basically. US rules? More nuanced.

• Force majeure events (weather, strikes) usually absolve airlines of broad compensation obligations. Bummer, I know.

• For checked bags, you can ask for the baggage fee refund!

Is EU261 compensation per person?

Yeah, it’s per person.

Feels strange. Like everyone on that plane, each gets something. Even little Timmy, kicking the seat. Wild.

• Each passenger gets their own compensation.
• Bookings don’t matter. Family or not.
• Over 3 hours is the trigger.

What am I even doing, thinking about this? And the amount…

• 250 EUR for flights up to 1500 km.
• 400 EUR for flights between 1500 and 3500 km.
• 600 EUR for flights over 3500 km outside the EU.

God, kilometers. Always kilometers. Never makes sense in my head right away. Feels like so much, feels like nothing, you know? Just numbers. Like my bank account, mostly.

Oh and that one time, remember that flight from hell from Dublin in 2019 when my flight had a 5-hour delay and I missed the connection to Krakow and how I spent the night in some random motel? Yeah. I missed my cousin’s wedding because of that, I bet they would owe me big money but now it is 2024 already, time flies, that’s gone.

What are the rules for flight delay compensation?

Ugh, flight delays! Seriously, I remember that time in August 2023, stuck at Gatwick, heading to Barcelona. My cousin’s wedding. The stress was intense.

Our Ryanair flight got delayed, like, forever. Five hours. FIVE! I almost missed the whole ceremony.

Anyway, turns out airlines have to cough up some dough if it’s their fault, and depending on how far you were going. I think distances are key there.

Compensation? It’s all about distance and delay length, right? My flight was within Europe, so I guess that puts it in a certain bracket.

Here’s what I gathered (a bit late, TBH):

• EU rules matter, even if it’s not EU airline. If your flight departs from the EU, rules apply.
• £520 is the max you can get, I am sure.
• Check if it’s the airline’s fault! Weather? Not their problem. Engine failure? Potentially theirs.
• Keep boarding passes. Proof is important.
• Claim directly with the airline first. Escalating is possible.

Ugh, honestly, the whole experience was a nightmare. I nearly missed the wedding speeches. Barcelona’s great. Ryanair? Less so. I learned my lesson. Next time I will fly with different airline.

Are you entitled to compensation for delayed flights?

Ugh, delayed flights, right? So, last summer, July 2024, I was flying Ryanair from Dublin to Faro. My friend Sarah and I were so pumped for the beach, cocktails…you know?

The flight, supposed to leave at 10:00 am, didn’t even board until, like, 1:30 pm. Three and a half HOURS late! I was fuming. Seriously, fuming.

Turns out it was a “technical issue,” whatever that means. The staff were useless, just shrugs.

If your flight’s delayed over three hours, and it’s the airline’s fault, you can get compensation. I remember seeing that somewhere, probably on Moneysavingexpert.com.

Right then, Sarah was all, “let’s claim!”. After a LOT of back and forth with Ryanair (ugh!), we actually got some money back.

It was def worth the hassle. The best part? Turns out the delay stemmed from their own maintenance issues.

What else did I learn?

• Keep all boarding passes. Crucial!
• Note down the exact arrival time. The actual arrival time.
• Ask for an explanation in writing from the airline explaining the delay, if possible.
• Document everything! Photos, emails, the works.

Honestly, knowing your rights as a passenger is super important.