Having received a call or email about flight cancellation, passengers usually have 2 options - choose a different route or get money for the ticket back. The airline may also offer either a different date or a transfer flight. If you are flying through Europe (it doesn't matter if your flight is direct or transfer) you can additionally be entitled to compensation up to 600 euros (depending on the flight distance). If there is enough time left before departure, compensation can be received in cash or by a bank transfer - just visit airline's website and fill out the appropriate form.
However, if you find out about the cancellation of departure directly at the airport, it is important not to get lost and ask for help on the spot.
Flight was canceled before departure:
1. Take a picture of the airport board
Lawyers usually recommend to get a photo-proof of the cancellation of the flight, which, if necessary, can be used in court. The picture of the airport board with information about the flight is more than enough under these circumstances.
2. Find the airlines desk at the airport
The passenger needs to know all the details about the flight cancellation. To do that you need to find a representative of the airline you were going to fly with at the airport. To record the fact of flight cancellation, ask a company employee of the airline to put a special mark on your ticket or to write the appropriate receipt. If there is no representative of needed airline at the airport, try contacting the support service through the website.
In the future, also ask for a note on the ticket about the current departure time when you leave the country on another flight.
3. Find out what you are offered
Flight cancellation occurs for two reasons - due to the airline’s fault or for other reasons (for example, weather conditions, military actions, etc.). As a rule, European carriers will try to pick you a flight by another airline - of course, for free. Also, you can be offered to get money for the flight back. In this case, you will have to get to your final destination by yourself.
Keep in mind: if you are inclined to accept a flight offer by another airline, declare it as soon as possible, since this option will be offered to everyone, and there will be a limited number of seats.
If you need to wait for the next flight for more than 2 hours, you are automatically entitled to:
- 2 free phone calls or 2 emails
- cool drinks;
- rest in the room of mother and child (with children up to 7 years).
If the flight will take off in more than 4 hours, you must be provided with hot meals (every 6 hours during the day and every 8 hours at night).
If you need to wait for a flight for more than 8 hours during the day and more than 6 hours at night, you must be provided with a separate hotel room, free transfer from the airport and back, as well as free luggage storage.
4. Write a complaint
To receive compensation due to flight cancellation, be sure to write a complaint. Keep in mind that the proceedings always occur in the country in which the flight was canceled - regardless of the “nationality” of the carrier itself. Therefore, make a complaint abroad in English. Do not delay with this matter, even if the period of possible filing of the complaint is stretched to six months. For example, if you are “stuck” in Europe, the money for flight cancellation can be returned to you within 7 working days, and you should use this.
If there is no airline representative at the airport, send them a complaint by registered mail. According to travelers, electronic complaints are often deleted and there is no help from them. For the same reason, be sure to save a copy of the sent letter and all other documents related to the flight.
5. Collect checks
When buying food and drinks, as well as paying for a hotel or a taxi due to flight cancellation, be sure to collect checks so that later you can offset your costs. The more evidence of spending, the better!
6. Refer to the smart services
Passengers who faced with the cancellation of the flight due to the fault of the airline, but haven't been able to get a compensation, can apply to various services for the return of funds - regardless of the country of the airline and their citizenship. Many of them work online - you simply send scanned documents to such companies and wait for the lawyer's confirmation. Such services take their commission, which, on average, is 25%.
Where to apply:
- Airhelp.com
- Compensair.com
- Refund.me
- Flightright.com
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