What to do if your flight is delayed or cancelled: Guide

Nov 22 2024 MFR travel team

Dealing with flight delays and flight cancellations can definitely throw a wrench in your thought out travel plans. Leave you feeling pretty annoyed and inconvenienced. Hey, there's always a silver lining! Knowing your rights, as a passenger and being prepared can help make the situation less stressful and more manageable! This handy guide is here to lend you a helping hand by walking you through what to do when faced with a delayed flight or cancelled flight and what you can expect from airlines in terms of compensations options, for rebooking your journey or offering care during the ordeal.

Stay calm and assess the situation

The first step when faced with a delay or cancellation is to remain calm. Flight disruptions happen for a variety of reasons, and how you handle them can impact your overall experience. As soon as you hear about the delay or cancellation:

Check for updates: Airlines typically send notifications via email, text, or their mobile app. Double-check the reason for the delay or cancellation and any updated flight information.

Confirm the new departure time: If the delay is short, keep an eye on the status as it can change quickly. For longer delays, you may have more time to make alternate arrangements if necessary.

If you're flying from or, to an airport in the EU (and your airline is based in the EU) EU Regulation 261⁄2004 protects you as a passenger of air travel. This rule sets out passenger rights for flight delays or cancellations and instances of denied boarding. Some important protections, under this regulation are:

Right to compensation

Passengers may be entitled to financial compensation if their flight is delayed by three hours or more upon arrival, or if it’s cancelled less than 14 days before departure. Compensation amounts vary based on flight distance:

• 250 € for flights up to 1 500 km.
• 400 € for flights between 1 500 km and 3 500 km.
• 600 € for flights over 3 500 km.

Note: Compensation is not available for delays or cancellations caused by extraordinary circumstances, such as extreme weather or air traffic control strikes.

Right to reimbursement or re-routing

If your flight is cancelled, the airline must offer you the choice between:

• A full refund of your ticket.
• Re-routing to your final destination on the next available flight.
• Rebooking at a later date that suits you.

Right to care

During long delays or while waiting for a rebooked flight, airlines are obligated to provide passengers with:

• Meals and refreshments.
• Accommodation (if an overnight stay is required).
• Transportation to and from the hotel.
• Access to phone calls and emails.
• Rebooking your flight

When your flight gets canceled by the airline you booked with originally they usually offer to book you on the flight without any additional charges.

If the delay is extensive and your original airline doesn't offer any flights, to your destination due to the delay duration you can ask them if they can arrange for you to board a flight, with an airline headed to your endpoint as a goodwill gesture; in certain instances，the airline might even take care of the expenses involved.

If your travel plans need adjustment and the cancellation disrupts your trip or you're unable to wait for the flight option, you are entitled to cancel your reservation and receive a complete refund of the payment made.

Request compensation

If your flight qualifies for compensation under EU 261/2004 or similar regulations in your country of travel, you can submit a compensation claim. Here’s what you need to do:

Contact the airline: Visit the airline’s website or customer service portal to initiate the claim process. Include your flight details, the length of the delay, and any supporting documentation.

Keep your boarding pass: Always keep copies of your boarding pass, confirmation email, or other travel documents as proof.

Claim expenses: If the airline didn’t provide meals, accommodation, or transportation when required, save receipts for any out-of-pocket expenses and request reimbursement from the airline.

Handling long delays

If your flight is delayed for an extended period, there are steps you can take to make the waiting time more comfortable:

Ask for meal vouchers: Many airlines provide meal vouchers during long delays. Visit the airline’s help desk to see what assistance they can offer.

Stay connected: Use the airline’s mobile app or check the flight status boards frequently for updates. This will help you stay informed about the situation.

Explore alternative routes: If it looks like your delay will be particularly long, consider checking with the airline about rebooking on an earlier connecting flight or a different route.

If your delay or cancellation requires you to stay overnight, the airline may be obligated to provide accommodation, transportation to the hotel, and meals. Airlines generally offer hotel vouchers at the airport. Make sure to ask if none are provided.

What if you miss your connecting flight?

Missing a connecting flight due to a delay on your first leg can be particularly stressful, but most airlines are responsible for rebooking you on the next available flight to your destination. If the delay is the airline’s fault (such as technical problems or scheduling issues), they are also required to provide care and assistance until you board your new flight.

If you’re flying from a non-EU country, different regulations may apply. Many countries have their own passenger rights laws, but not all offer the same protections as EU 261/2004. Be sure to check the specific laws of your departure country. In some cases, airlines may still offer compensation or assistance voluntarily, even if local laws don’t require it.

How MYFLYRIGHT can help you

Flight delays and flight cancellations can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to understanding your rights and navigating the claims process. MYFLYRIGHT simplifies this process by handling your compensation claim from start to finish. Whether you’re dealing with a delayed flight, cancellation, or missed connection, MYFLYRIGHT ensures that your rights under EU 261/2004 are enforced. Our team of experts takes the stress out of claiming compensation, helping you receive what you’re entitled to without the hassle of dealing with airlines directly. Let us help you get the compensation you deserve, while you focus on getting to your destination.