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Flight Ticket Refund And Compensation: What to Know And How to do

Navigating Flight Delays, Cancellations, and Overbooking: Your Rights as a Passenger

As a traveler, nothing can be more frustrating than experiencing flight delays, cancellations, or overbooking issues. However, understanding your rights as a passenger can help you navigate these situations with confidence. In this article, we’ll delve into the world of EU regulations and Montreal Convention to explain your entitlements to full refunds, compensation, and assistance.

Understanding Flight Delays

Flights delayed due to circumstances beyond the airline’s control may entitle passengers to compensation or a refund. But what exactly does “circumstances beyond the airline’s control” mean?

For example:

Weather-related delays: If your flight is delayed due to bad weather, you might be entitled to compensation.
Air traffic control issues: Delays caused by air traffic control problems can also result in compensation or a refund.

According to EU regulations, if a flight is delayed for more than 5 hours, passengers can choose to cancel their trip and request a full refund.

Flight Cancellations

When an airline cancels your flight, you’re entitled to a full refund and compensation. But what’s the difference between a cancellation and a delay?

Cancellation: If the airline cancels your flight without offering an alternative flight, you’re entitled to a full refund.
Delay: If the airline delays your flight but still offers an alternative flight, you may not be entitled to a refund.

The parameters for obtaining a full refund are similar to those for long flight delays. When a flight is canceled by the airline, it must communicate with its passengers within 14 days of the scheduled departure time (or inform them that no alternative flight has been proposed).

Overbooking

Overbooking occurs when an airline sells more tickets than there are available seats on their aircraft. This can result in passengers being denied boarding or receiving a refund.

Refund: If you’re overbooked and choose to cancel your trip, you’re entitled to a full refund.
Alternative flight: If the airline offers you an alternative flight, you may not be entitled to a refund.

However, if the cancellation occurs less than 14 days in advance, the airline must offer an alternative flight. The passenger can accept or decline it.

Refund of Air Ticket for Flight Delay

According to EU regulations, if a flight is delayed for more than 5 hours, passengers can choose to cancel their trip and request a full refund.

Refund of Air Ticket for Canceled Flight

In this case, the airline only needs to proceed with the reimbursement and can do so immediately without requiring any further action from the passenger.

Refund of Air Ticket for Voluntary Cancellation

Even if a passenger chooses to cancel or modify their flight due to personal reasons, they may be entitled to a full refund from the airline.

Changes to a flight are usually subject to a fee set by the airline (which can sometimes be higher than the cost of the ticket). However, there is an exception:

For flights within Europe, the EU regulation states that changes made within 24 hours of booking are free.

Refund of Air Ticket for Refund of Airport Taxes

If a passenger cancels their flight due to unforeseen circumstances such as illness or family loss, they have the right to a full refund and airport taxes. However, they must provide documentation from medical professionals or authorities to support their claim.

Keep in mind that even if the flight is canceled for reasons not considered “force majeure”, passengers are still entitled to at least a reimbursement of airport taxes.

Flight Delay Compensation

If a flight is delayed for any reason (even if the delay is less than three hours), passengers can claim compensation.

The amount of compensation depends on the distance traveled and the duration of the delay:

For flights under 1500 km, the compensation is €125 per two-hour delay or €200 for delays over three hours.
For flights between 1500 and 3500 km, the compensation is:
- €400 for delays up to three hours.
- €600 for delays over three hours.
For flights over 3500 km, the compensation is:
- €200 per two-hour delay or €400 for delays over three hours.

However, if a flight is delayed due to extraordinary circumstances (such as terrorism risk, political instability, medical emergencies, or airport strikes), passengers do not have the right to compensation.

Flight Cancellation Compensation

If a flight is canceled less than 14 days in advance of its scheduled departure time, passengers are entitled to both a full refund and compensation:

For flights under 1500 km, the compensation is €200.
For flights between 1500 and 3500 km, the compensation is €400.
For flights over 3500 km, the compensation is €600.

However, if a flight cancellation is due to extraordinary circumstances (such as terrorism risk, political instability, medical emergencies, or airport strikes), passengers do not have the right to compensation.

Denied Boarding for Overbooking

When an airline cancels a passenger’s ticket due to overbooking, they may offer them an alternative flight and/or other benefits.

In this case, if the passenger accepts the new flight, they are entitled to compensation:

For flights under 1500 km, the compensation is €200.
For flights between 1500 and 3500 km, the compensation is €400.
For flights over 3500 km, the compensation is €600.

However, if a passenger chooses not to accept the new flight offered by the airline or refuses to take it due to circumstances beyond their control (such as severe weather), they are entitled to compensation without any deduction in exceptional circumstances.

How to Get a Refund or Compensation

Before applying for a refund or compensation, there are some preliminary steps to take:

Save all relevant documents (tickets, receipts, etc.)
Take photos of the flight’s departure and arrival times
Never sign anything without reading it carefully first

If you’ve determined that you’re entitled to a full refund and/or compensation, here are the next steps:

Ask for assistance directly at the airport desk or airline office.
Check the airline’s website for assistance.
Consider using a third-party app that provides airline passenger support services like AirHelp.

AirHelp helps passengers navigate complex airline policies and processes to recover their rightful refunds or compensation.

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