Flight delay or cancellation compensation - how to get it in 2021?

I doubt that when going on vacation, you are thinking about how much compensation is due for the delay in your flight or even for its cancellation. And that's right: you need to think about the pleasant :)

Nevertheless, this very compensation for a flight delay is a useful thing that is important and necessary to know about. And so that the holiday mood is not overshadowed by such thoughts, we thought about it for you!

Important: the delay of a charter flight (when you are flying on a package) is a bad thing. Russian charters reject all this fight for compensation, and it is hard enough to win the case against them.

Conditions for receiving compensation

First, let's find out under what conditions you can count on any payments:

• Flight delayed more than 3 hours
• Flight canceled
• Denied boarding due to overbooking
• The flight is slightly delayed, but you are late for the next one and arrived at the destination with a delay of more than 3 hours

But there are a lot of time nuances! Transfer more than 3 or 10 hours, 2 weeks warning ...

Okay, how do you figure it out? Check your flight at Compensair. Please note that the service works with DEPARTURES of any airlines FROM EUROPE and TURKEY (except Russian) and WITH EUROPEAN or TURKISH AIRLINES departing from anywhere, if the airport of arrival is European or Turkish. In other cases, you will have to write to the air carrier directly.

Reasons for the delay in departure of the airline's flight

Reimbursement rules in Russia, Europe and the United States differ from each other. The reason why the plane did not take off on time is also taken into account. You can get compensation if the flight is canceled or delayed the air carrier is to blame.

But the technical malfunctions of the aircraft are a controversial point, and not every airline admits part of their fault. But "wrestle" is worth it! If there was a delay or cancellation of the flight due to the fault of the airline (for the first 4 points), do not hesitate, you are entitled to compensation. How many? Try to calculate ↓

When can I get compensation?

In Russia, the law permits the filing of a claim within 6 months from the date of the flight delay. If it comes to an international flight, this period has been increased to 2 years.

Imagine that there was a flight delay, and you are wondering what to do and where to go ... If you decide to "fight" yourself, first of all, to the representative of the airline! He must put the necessary mark on the ticket.

Next, we make a claim against the negligent carrier. This can be done directly at the airport (by attaching copies of tickets with a mark) or later (you can add checks for additional costs to the claim). Your application will be processed within 30 days. If approved, you will receive your hard-earned money within 2 to 6 months.

Previously, in the old fashioned way, you had to do it yourself, but now special services have appeared, such as, for example, Compensair.

What are passengers entitled to in case of flight delays?

For being late for a Finnair connection (due to the fault of the airline)
we were given vouchers for 16 euros

The main responsibility of any airline is to make sure that the passenger gets to their destination. If a flight cancellation / long delay catches you at the airport, regardless of whether the weather was raging or the airline was in full blame - right here and now you should be provided at least minimal service.

An unexpected flight rescheduling? You should be offered:

1. An alternative is another plane or a ticket from another airline.
2. Refund of the cost of the unused part of the ticket if you are not satisfied with any of the proposed alternatives.

But in practice, of course, it turns out that no one owes anyone, and all that remains is to wait. And in this case, you are entitled to the appropriate service at the airport.

Passenger rights in case of flight delays

So, there was a flight delay - what are the passengers?

In Russia the following rules apply:

• If the wait lasts it's 2 o'clock already, soft drinks put
• Across 4 hours, and then every 6 hours - hot food
• If you are waiting more than 8 hours during the day (or more than 6 nights), you are entitled to a free hotel and transfer

In Europe you can "knock out" food and drinks under the following conditions (confused):

• If you wait from 2 hours and the country where you are flying is at a distance of up to 1500 km
• If you wait more than 3 hours and the country you are flying to is in the EU and at a distance of more than 1500 km; ... the country you are flying to is at a distance of 1500-3500 km
• If you are waiting for 4 hours and it doesn't matter where you fly

If the above cannot be provided to you, and you organize everything yourself - collect checks!

Can I get insured?

Can. However, be careful: many of the insurance companies are reluctant to take out insurance for a charter flight, as with it the risk of delay or cancellation is quite high.

An insured event occurs when waiting for a flight for more than 3 hours. In addition, both the loss of luggage and the absence of a passenger due to illness are insured. If you are simply late to the airport, to the check-in counter, you are not entitled to insurance payment.

Where can I check flight delays online?

On the airport website. Of course, they will not indicate the reason or the exact time of departure, so it is better to contact the airline representative for this.

How to get compensation in Europe?

Europe has the strictest airline laws. The observance of the rights of passengers in the EU is monitored by the EU Regulation No. 261/2004 and the Montreal Convention. According to the Regulations, compensation is paid for lost time. The Convention compensates for material damage (damage or loss of luggage, taxi costs, hotel expenses, etc.) caused by the late arrival of the aircraft. Interestingly, the passenger has the right to claim both of these payments at the same time.

According to European laws, you can count on:

1. Free service at the airport.
2. Compensation for delayed, canceled or overbooked flights.

Moreover, the first point is at your service in any case, and the second, only if you have not canceled the flight and are late at the final point more than 3 hours. The amount of payments is 125-600 euros and depends on the flight distance and delay time. You can calculate compensation using a calculator.

By the way, all these rules apply not only within the Old World. All European and Turkish carriers are subject to them. The main thing is to fall under the rules:

What laws and documents protect the rights of air passengers in Europe?

• EU (European Union) Regulation No 261/2004
• Montreal Convention

Compensation for flight delays in Russia

In our country, the Air Code (latest edition of 2018) and Federal Aviation Rules are responsible for the relationship between passengers and an air carrier.

In principle, these rules are no different from European ones, except for the amount of compensation required: in Russia it is 25 rubles per hour. That is, if you have a flight delay of 1 hour, you can count on 25 rubles :) However, if the flight is international, you are also entitled to payments under the Montreal Convention.

Food for thought: in 2017, Aeroflot paid its passengers a fairly large sum for a flight delay (from 5,000 to 10,000 rubles). And all thanks to the tangible boom raised in social networks. And at this time, this is the exception rather than the rule. Also, large compensations are on the account of S7 - one of the leading companies in the country, but far from the most punctual;)

Another difference is payments for overbooking. It would be more accurate to say that there are no rules at all for this case. But, nevertheless, Russian airlines offer passengers who did not get on the flight, more favorable flight conditions.

What laws and documents protect the rights of air passengers in the Russian Federation?

• Order of the Ministry of Transport of Russia N 82 on the approval of the Federal Aviation Rules
• Air Code of the Russian Federation N 60-FZ
• Montreal Convention - not applicable to flights within the Russian Federation

Compensation in the USA

The saying that the client is always right is not about Americans :( There is no compensation for a delayed flight in the States (if the flight is a non-European or non-Turkish airline). The maximum that you can be offered is to pick up another flight (if necessary, for a new You will have to pay extra for the ticket yourself.) Or return the cost of the unused part of the ticket.

And it will be possible to compensate for material damage only in case of overbooking. The amount of compensation will be $ 650 if you are 2 hours late to your destination, or $ 1300 if you are more than 2 hours late.

Free service at the airport is also understood a little differently here. Drinks and food (most often dry rations) are provided only after 4 hours of waiting. And after 2, if you have already climbed into the airliner and are sitting there.

How to use the Compensair service? Money back experience

Compensair is very simple:

• First, the flight is checked, whether compensation is due and how much
• In case of confirmation, all data are filled in and an air ticket is attached: booking number, full name, residential address, etc. The same set for another passenger, if available.
• The application is certified by the signature of each of the available passengers (touchpad, mouse, from the phone screen) and sent to the service's lawyers
• The company sends a letter of acceptance of the application and the expected expectation of 1-2 months. For any update, contact by mail

Our application was rejected. We flew late from New York to Helsinki, missed the next flight to Moscow and arrived at Sheremetyevo with a delay of 2 hours 59 minutes. But it is necessary - from 3 hours :)

But our friend had a positive outcome: Compensair refunded him 800 euros (400 per person) for the delay in the Air Baltic flight on the Riga-Kazan route. The proof is in the photo at the beginning of this section. Considering that the flight itself cost 24,000 rubles for two, they were more than compensated!

Small FAQ:

• What are the usual terms for reimbursement?

- Your application is examined within 30 days, and if approved, compensation will be credited within 2 to 6 months.

• What documents are required?

- Any that you can find on the mail / computer / phone related to the delayed flight. In theory, “digging out” the documents is the task of Compensair, because if you apply for a flight that took place 6 years ago (and this is allowed), you hardly have anything left of your receipts.