Little-known EU passenger rights can mean big cash for Canadians on delayed flights | CBC News (2024)

FAQs

Little-known EU passenger rights can mean big cash for Canadians on delayed flights | CBC News? ›

Under the EU rules, passengers can collect between €250 and €600 ($366 and $880) when they're delayed by three hours or more in reaching their final destination. Typically, the longer the flight, the bigger the payout.

If your flight is delayed for two hours or more at departure, the airline must offer you care (meals and refreshments and, if necessary accommodation). If this delay means that, you arrive at your final destination with a delay of more than 3 hours you may also be entitled to financial compensation.

Certain EU/UK-regulated flights are eligible for compensation at a set rate under the UK/EU flight delay compensation scheme. To qualify, your flight needs to check all the following boxes: You arrived at your destination more than three hours later than scheduled.

According to the DOT, if your flight is “significantly” delayed, you may be entitled to a refund. Unfortunately, the agency does not define how long a significant delay is. Instead, it allows customers to file complaints to determine refund eligibility on a case-by-case basis.

If you're a passenger whose flight was cancelled or delayed because of a situation within our control, and you arrive at your original destination with a delay of three hours or more, you'll be entitled to receive compensation for delays and cancellations from Air Canada (unless you are informed of the cancellation or ...

Passengers can receive both a refund of an airline ticket and compensation for the cancellation, provided that their flight qualifies for compensation. To qualify, the airline must have let you know about the flight cancellation less than 14 days before it was due to depart.

According to EC 261/2004, the airline must give you at least 14 days' notice of a cancelled flight. If your flight is cancelled later than this, you're entitled to an alternative flight with the same airline. If this isn't provided, you qualify for a full refund. However, in either case, you can claim compensation.

Unless the delay is due to extraordinary circ*mstances (like adverse weather, security risks, political instability, etc), you will be entitled to compensation if your flight arrives at your destination three or more hours later than scheduled. The longer your flight, the more compensation you will be entitled to.

If the ADR body or CAA cannot help with your claim, or you wish to pursue a different course of action, you could take your airline to court.

If you suffered from a flight delay in Europe, there are time limits you need to be aware of. Under EU Regulation 261/2004, you can make a claim if your flight was delayed for 3 hours or more. But that's not all – you also have to file your claim within 3 years of the date of departure.

How to get money from airlines for delays? ›

To receive compensation, you must file a claim with the airline for the delay, and the delay must have been caused by a factor within the airline's control (so a weather delay wouldn't count).

Delayed flights: you may be able to claim compensation if your flight arrived 3 hours or more late. Canceled flights: you may be eligible for compensation if your flight was canceled less than 14 days before it was due to depart.

Generally, yes you can sue an airline in small claims court. The U.S. Department of Transportation (“DOT”), which is a federal agency that regulates airlines operating in the U.S, even publishes a Consumer's Guide to Small Claims Court.

In the case of large airlines like Air Canada — including its subsidiaries Jazz and Rouge — the delay compensation is as follows: $296 ($400 Canadian dollars) for arrival delays between three and six hours. $519 ($700 Canadian dollars) for arrival delays between six and nine hours.

This depends on what caused the delay – if it wasn't the airline's fault, don't expect to receive any compensation. Disruptions caused by things like extreme weather, airport or air traffic control employee strikes or other 'extraordinary circ*mstances' are not eligible for compensation.

Airlines must provide compensation for the inconvenience of flight cancellations and flight delays of 3 hours or more and if the disruption is within their control and not related to safety, and if the airline notified you of the disruption 14 days or less in advance.

The EU regulation 261/2004 is concerned with the following: It is intended for passengers who suffer delayed or cancelled flights, overbooking or denied boarding. Depending on the circ*mstances, and subject to certain conditions, it may give rise to a claim for compensation of between €250 and €600 per person.

You can receive up to €1,620 for lost, delayed, and damaged baggage. Your baggage rights are covered under the Montreal Convention. If your wheelchair or other mobility equipment are lost or damaged while being handled at the airport or transported on an aircraft, you are entitled to compensation.

Claiming Compensation for Flight Delays and Cancellations

Delayed flights: you may be able to claim compensation if your flight arrived 3 hours or more late. Canceled flights: you may be eligible for compensation if your flight was canceled less than 14 days before it was due to depart.