Compensation for Cancelled Flights

Your Rights in Case of Flight Cancellation - In Brief 

Want a quick overview of your rights regarding flight cancellations? See below.

• You are entitled to a refund of the entire ticket price in case of a flight cancellation
• If it's a cancelled flight with layovers, you have the right to a return ticket to the first departure point as soon as possible or
• A new ticket to the final destination as soon as possible. If the airline cannot offer the next available departure, they should pay for the trip with another airline, or
• A new ticket with a later departure date of your choice, provided there are available seats on the flight.
 

You have the right to be offered the choice and choose the option that suits you best.

In the case of a flight cancellation, you are also entitled to:

• Food and beverages
• Transport to/from the airport
• Compensation for expenses such as self-paid hotel stays if the flight is cancelled close to the departure time
• Compensation as mentioned above

Refundmore emphasizes that we only handle cases related to the flight itself and not the extra costs for food, drinks, or hotels. It's our experience that airlines are reluctant to pay compensation and ticket refunds, not additional expenses. Therefore, they always recommend customers to contact the airline when it comes to reimbursement for extra expenses.

Financial Compensation for Flight Cancellation

According to EU Regulation 261/2004, you are entitled to a refund and compensation for a cancelled flight. However, these types of cases are considerably more complicated than cases involving flight delays, as compensation depends on when you were informed of the cancellation. 

Apply for compensation

What Should I Do When My Flight Is Cancelled?

We understand that it's a frustrating situation when your flight is cancelled, and it's hard not to get a bit annoyed. However, you may be entitled to compensation in some cases, and that's where Refundmore comes in.

But what can you do? 

To make the process as smooth as possible, you can:

• If you try to claim compensation from the airline yourself, it's advisable to take a screenshot of the form after filling it out on their website. This makes it easier to prove that you have filed a complaint
• Save all travel documents and receipts related to the flight cancellation. This can include the boarding pass, a new flight ticket if necessary, screenshots of communication with the airline, receipts for extra expenses like food and drinks, and receipts for any necessary accommodation and transportation
• Know your rights. Your compensation depends on your departure and destination, as well as whether you're flying with an EU-based airline and when you were notified of the flight cancellation. Your rights are determined by EU Regulation 261/2004, and you can read more about them further down the page
• File your case with Refundmore. We will guide you through the entire process so you can receive compensation for your cancelled flight

When Am I Entitled to Compensation for a Cancelled Flight?

As a general rule, you are entitled to compensation if you arrive at your destination more than three hours after the originally scheduled arrival time. If you arrive at your destination less than three hours after the originally planned time, you are not entitled to compensation. However, there are special cases where compensation can be claimed for a delay of more than two hours. But in general, a three-hour delay triggers compensation. 

Please note that several airlines often consider "touchdown" or when the aircraft comes to a complete stop as the actual arrival time. This is not correct according to your right to compensation. The actual arrival time is when the aircraft has landed, the doors are opened, and passengers are allowed to leave the aircraft.

Apply for compensation

How Much Compensation Can I Expect for a Cancelled Flight?

Below, you can see what you can receive in compensation for a cancelled flight, calculated in EUR per passenger:

* If the cancellation occurs less than 7 days before the scheduled departure.

** If the cancellation occurs between 14-7 days before the scheduled departure.

Your right to compensation for a cancelled flight depends on when the cancellation was notified, as well as the length of the flight. If you are unsure about how much money you may be entitled to for a cancelled flight, you can easily find out by using our compensation calculator. Simply enter your departure and arrival destinations, details about your airline and travel, and when you were informed of the cancellation.

In the United Kingdom, the statute of limitations is 3 years.

As an air passenger, you have a 3-year statute of limitations. This means that if you have experienced a flight cancellation in the last 3 years, you may be entitled to compensation for your time loss. 

On this type of cases, there is a 3-year statute of limitations in the United Kingdom, so it often makes sense to follow up on a cancellation, even if it happened years ago. As long as you claim your compensation within 3 years, your rights still apply. 

Please note that if you reside in another country, the statute of limitations may be shorter or longer.

When Am I Not Entitled to Compensation for a Cancelled Flight?

In general, you are entitled to compensation for a flight cancellation unless it occurs on time or due to "extraordinary circumstances."

You are not entitled to compensation if:

• The flight is cancelled due to "extraordinary circumstances" (read more about this further down the page).
• You have been notified of the cancellation at least two weeks before departure.
• You have been notified of the cancellation at least seven days before departure and are offered a rebooking that arrives a maximum of two hours before or no later than four hours after the originally planned trip.
• You have been notified of the flight cancellation less than seven days before departure and are offered a rebooking that arrives at most one hour before and no later than two hours after the originally planned trip.

It is the airline's responsibility to prove when you were informed of the cancelled flight. Therefore, we recommend keeping all documents and evidence of when you actually received the notification of the cancellation.

You are also not entitled to compensation if you cancel your flight yourself.

How Does Refundmore Assist with My Compensation?

At Refundmore, we have a team of lawyers, legal experts, claim specialists, and case handlers ready to assist you if your flight is cancelled.

They are all experts in EU Regulation 261/2004, which is the law that allows airline passengers to claim compensation for cancelled flights.

If you have experienced a flight cancellation, here's how we can help:

• You contact Refundmore and provide the necessary information.
• We prepare a legal claim.
• If the airline rejects the claim, we have the option to access relevant information and technical data regarding the cancelled flight, which can help the case.
• If the airline still refuses the claim, and we believe you are entitled to compensation, we can take your case to court or other legal authorities.
• In the end, we can bring the case to the enforcement court, which can collect the money.

Refundmore has already assisted nearly 300,000 passengers - should we help you? As of now, we have collected more than 45 million euro in compensation from airlines for delays and flight cancellations.

Where Can I Claim Compensation for a Cancelled Flight?

There are two ways to obtain compensation for a cancelled flight:

1. You can contact the airline yourself
2. you can let Refundmore handle everything for you

At Refundmore, we have a team of experts who know exactly how to handle your case, and we know your rights.

Furthermore, it doesn't cost anything to use Refundmore if the case cannot be won. We work on the "no cure, no pay" principle and only take a small percentage when the case is successful.

Apply for compensation for a cancelled flight now.

Cancellation Due to 'Extraordinary Circumstances'

If the flight cancellation is due to 'extraordinary circumstances,' which means a situation beyond the airline's control, you are unfortunately not entitled to compensation.

Such extraordinary circumstances include, for example:

• External strikes (e.g., among airport personnel, but not if it's the airline's staff on strike)
• Unusual weather conditions (weather conditions that reduce visibility and pose a safety risk)
• Terrorism/military coup (situations that pose a threat to public safety)
• Travel restrictions/flight bans
• Acute illness or discomfort among passengers
• Security measures at the airport
• Certain technical faults on the aircraft

In some cases, the airline may qualify the reason for the cancellation as an "extraordinary circumstance,", even if the actual cause is not truly an "extraordinary circumstance." They do this in an attempt to avoid compensation obligations.

If you are unsure whether an "extraordinary circumstance" was the cause of your flight cancellation, you can file a claim with Refundmore. we will make sure to determine the reason for the cancellation, even if the airline may not be completely honest in their initial statement.

What Are My Rights in the Event of a Flight Cancellation? 

If your flight is cancelled, you can choose between receiving a refund of the ticket price or getting a new ticket to your original destination at the earliest opportunity. If you prefer to reschedule the trip for a later date, you can also choose this option if there are available seats on the later flight.

According to EU 261/2004 you have the right to:

• Refreshments
• Accommodation in a hotel
• Transportation between the hotel and the airport
• Two phone calls

If you have not been offered refreshments, accommodation, etc., for a cancelled flight when you were entitled to it, and you incurred extra expenses due to the flight cancellation, you can apply to have food and hotel expenses reimbursed by the airline. If you have had additional expenses related to a cancellation, it's important to keep your receipts as evidence.

Airlines are also required to cover passengers' food expenses, hotel expenses, etc., even if the reason for the flight cancellation is "extraordinary circumstances" that do not entitle you to compensation according to EU 261/2004. 

Can I Also Get Reimbursed for Extra Expenses in Connection with a Cancelled Flight?

If a flight cancellation results in a delay of more than two hours, you have the right to refreshments. This means that the airline is obligated to provide you with food and drinks, as well as two phone calls (or emails), and even overnight accommodation in a hotel and transportation to/from the airport if necessary.

It's important to note that the airline will only pay your extra expenses to a reasonable extent and in proportion to the length of the delay. Therefore, you cannot expect them to cover expenses such as alcohol, lengthy phone calls, or luxurious accommodation. 

Remember that you should always keep your receipts for expenses as documentation.

NOTE: Refundmore does not handle cases involving other extra costs than new flight tickets. The above information is for general guidance for passengers regarding their rights regarding extra costs in the event of a flight delay or cancellation.

What Does Refundmore Charge to Help with Compensation?

Refundmore is on your side, which means we operate based on the "no cure, no pay" principle. Therefore, you won't have to pay a dime if you are not entitled to compensation for your flight cancellation. This is how we ensure you have a positive experience with our service.

We only demand payment when the case is won. That means we deduct our fee from the airline's payout, and only from the amount we recover.

You can see a complete price list here.

Should I Choose Vouchers or Cash Compensation for a Flight Cancellation?

Sometimes airlines choose to offer vouchers as compensation for a cancelled flight instead of cash compensation. It might be tempting to accept these vouchers to avoid the hassle of starting a claim. However, there are some considerations you should keep in mind before saying yes.

Always read the terms and conditions carefully. Additionally, be aware of the following:

• You have the right to decline vouchers and receive a cash refund within 7 days
• If you accept a voucher, be aware that you may lose your money if the airline goes bankrupt later, and you haven't used the voucher
• There may be limitations on when or for which flights a voucher must be used

So, you have the freedom to say yes or no if the airline offers a voucher for the flight cancellation. Many find vouchers more convenient, as they don't have to deal with the airline themselves to get their money back, but this is precisely where Refundmore comes in as your experts.

EU Regulation 261/2004 - Your Rights as a Passenger in the Event of a Cancelled Flight 

Regulation 261/2004 applies to flights that:

• • Depart from an EU airport (regardless of the airline)
  • Land at an EU airport with a European airline (although there may be exceptions for Swiss and Norwegian airlines)

As mentioned earlier, EU Regulation 261/2004 is on your side as a passenger if your flight is cancelled.

It specifies that if a flight is cancelled, affected passengers should:

• • Be offered assistance from the airline
  • Have the right to compensation 
    
    • Unless the flight cancellation is notified at least two weeks before departure
    • Unless the flight cancellation is notified at least seven days before departure, and they are offered a rebooking that departs a maximum of two hours before the originally scheduled departure or arrives no later than four hours after the originally planned arrival
    • Unless the flight cancellation is notified less than seven days before departure, and they are offered a rebooking that departs at most one hour before the originally scheduled departure and arrives no later than two hours after the originally planned arrival
  • Be informed about alternative transportation options
  • Be aware that they are not entitled to compensation for the cancelled flight if it is due to "extraordinary circumstances" (read more about this above)
  • Be aware that the burden of proof regarding when the notice of flight cancellation was received falls on the airline
  • Have the right to refreshments, transportation, and accommodation as necessary.

Should Refundmore assist you in obtaining the correct compensation for your cancelled flight? It only takes 3 minutes to file a claim - we’ll take care of the rest.