You may be entitled to compensation of up to €600 in case of delay, cancellation, or overbooking!
Air passenger rights:
- Passenger rights in case of cancelled flights
- What to do if your flight has been cancelled?
- When are you entitled to compensation for a cancelled flight?
- When are you not entitled to compensation for a cancelled flight?
- How to submit a compensation claim?
- Amount of compensation claim
Compensation for cancelled flights
Cancelled Flights: Your Rights and Possible Compensation
Unexpected events can happen during any trip that may disrupt your plans. A particularly frustrating situation is when your flight is delayed or cancelled. While a delay might still get you to your destination eventually, a cancelled flight means the plane won’t depart at the scheduled time at all, and you may be stranded at the airport.
When a flight is cancelled, two scenarios may occur:
The trip is rescheduled to another time.
The flight is permanently removed from the schedule.
In either case, it’s essential to be aware of the regulations that protect passengers and the compensation you may be entitled to.
How to claim compensation for a cancelled flight?
To receive compensation, you must first determine whether you are eligible. Under Regulation EC 261/2004, you may be entitled to compensation if the following conditions are met:
The airline notified you of the cancellation less than 14 days before departure.
No suitable alternative flight was offered, or the alternative caused significant delays.
📌 Example: If a flight is cancelled the day before departure, and the offered alternative results in a delay of more than 3 hours compared to the original arrival time, you may be eligible for compensation.
What are your rights when your flight is cancelled?
According to European passenger rights (EC 261/2004), you have the following options:
Provision of an alternative flight or new route
If your flight is cancelled, the airline is responsible for ensuring you reach your destination:
✅ Offer of an alternative flight (even the next day).
✅ If landing occurs at a different airport, free transport to the original destination must be provided.
✅ Written explanation for the reason of cancellation.
✅ Meals and refreshments based on the waiting time.
✅ Access to make phone calls, send emails or faxes.
✅ If needed, accommodation and transfer should be arranged.
Requesting a refund
If the offered alternative flight is unsuitable or you choose to cancel your trip, you can request a refund for your ticket. You can request the refund in the following ways:
📌 By filling out the form available on the airline’s website.
📌 By submitting a copy of your ticket and a written explanation.
⚠️ Important: If the alternative flight does not align with your original itinerary, you may request a full refund for the trip.
How much compensation can you receive for a cancelled flight?
The compensation amount depends on several factors:
The distance of the flight
The departure and arrival locations
The time of notification
Compensation amounts for cancelled flights:
✈️ Flights up to 1,500 km: €250
✈️ Flights between 1,500–3,500 km: €400
✈️ Flights over 3,500 km: €600
📌 Example: If a Wizz Air flight is cancelled less than 14 days before departure and no suitable alternative is provided, you may be entitled to up to €600 in compensation.
Don’t let a cancelled flight ruin your entire travel plan! Know your rights and take advantage of the opportunities to receive compensation for the inconvenience. 🚀
Flight delay upon arrival
| Delay duration | Route distance | Compensation amount |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 2 hours 59 min | Any distance | €0 |
| Over 3 hours | 1,500 km or more | €250 |
| Over 3 hours | 1,500–3,500 km | €400 |
| Between 3–4 hours | More than 3,500 km | €300 |
| Over 4 hours | More than 3,500 km | €600 |
What Can You Do If Your Flight Was Cancelled? Know Your Rights and Compensation Options!
Unexpected situations such as delays or cancellations can occur during any journey. While a delay may cause inconvenience but still get you to your destination, a cancelled flight can completely disrupt your travel plans. In such cases, it’s important to know your available options and the rights you are entitled to.
Cancelled Flights: What Are Your Options?
In the event of a cancelled flight, the following scenarios may occur:
✔ The flight is rescheduled to a different time.
✔ The flight is entirely removed from the schedule.
In either case, it’s worth knowing what rights you have and under what conditions you may be eligible for compensation.
Compensation for Cancelled Flights – When Are You Entitled?
Under Regulation EC261/2004, you are entitled to compensation if:
✅ Your flight was cancelled less than 14 days before departure, and
✅ The airline did not provide a suitable alternative, or the alternative resulted in a significant delay.
Example: If your flight is cancelled one day before departure and the airline cannot provide an alternative that gets you to your destination within 3 hours of the original arrival time, you may be entitled to compensation.
What Rights Do You Have When a Flight Is Cancelled?
🔹 Alternative Flight or Refund
The airline must provide an alternative flight to your destination or refund the ticket price. If the new flight departs from or arrives at a different airport, the airline must cover transfer costs.
🔹 Meals, Refreshments, and Accommodation
For longer waiting times, the airline must provide care, including:
✔ Food and beverages.
✔ Access to phone calls, emails, or faxes.
✔ Accommodation and transportation, if needed.
🔹 Compensation for the Cancellation
If the cancellation caused inconvenience and was not due to extraordinary circumstances (e.g., weather, strike, security threat), you may receive compensation of up to €600 depending on the flight distance.
Cancelled Flights and Compensation Rules in the USA
Regulations in the United States are different:
🚫 No legally mandated compensation.
🚀 Airlines may offer compensation based on their own policies.
💡 Some airlines may provide alternative flights, refunds, or vouchers.
If you’re flying with a U.S. carrier, it’s worth reviewing their compensation policy in advance.
When Is Compensation Not Due?
In some extraordinary circumstances, the airline is exempt from paying compensation, for example:
🌪 Extreme weather (e.g., hurricane, storm).
⚠ Political or military conflict in the destination country.
🔒 Security issues or airport strikes.
⚠ Important: Even if compensation is not due, the airline must still provide care during the waiting period.
What Do You Need to Claim Compensation?
To claim compensation for a cancelled flight, keep the following documents:
📌 Written confirmation of the cancellation and reason.
📌 Ticket and boarding pass.
📌 Correspondence with the airline.
📌 Receipts for any extra expenses (e.g., accommodation, meals).
How to Request Compensation?
1️⃣ Check Eligibility – Use our free calculator!
2️⃣ Submit a Claim – Provide your flight details via our online form.
3️⃣ Processing – Our experts will contact the airline and manage the process.
4️⃣ Payout – If successful, the compensation will be transferred directly to your bank account.
📌 Important: Under EC261/2004, compensation claims can be submitted within 3 years. Act quickly to avoid delays!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
❓ Can I receive both compensation and a refund?
✅ Yes, you may be entitled to both compensation and a ticket refund.
❓ How long does it take to get a refund?
⏳ The airline is required to refund the cancelled flight within 7 days.
❓ What other cases are eligible for compensation?
✈ You may also claim compensation for delays, denied boarding, missed connections, and lost or damaged baggage.
❓ How much does FlightCompensator’s service cost?
💰 We work on a “No win, no fee” basis. If your claim is successful, we charge a 29% + VAT commission from the compensation.
❓ Can I submit a claim on behalf of someone else?
✅ Yes, but you will need authorization from the affected person.
📌 Tip: If your journey included a connecting flight and it was cancelled, you may be eligible for compensation for the entire trip – provided all flights were under the same booking.
Don’t Miss Out on the Compensation You Deserve!
If your flight was cancelled, check your eligibility and claim compensation quickly and easily!