Had a domestic flight yesterday that was 3 hours delayed - flymaybe, arrived 190 mins late at destination.
Anyone been though the process of claiming compensation? Wondering if it's the type of thing that gets dealt with properly (e.g. one letter, done), or if it will involve a load of back and forth with the airline.
have you looked into what your actually entitled to ? doubt its much for 3hrs. possibly a cup of coffee and a cake from the cafe.
There's a big court case going on at the moment over what circumstances the airline has to pay out in. Basically if it isn't their fault (bad weather, terrorism, war, airport burns down, that kind of thing) they don't have to pay. If it is their fault, (not cleaning the plane fast enough, getting people on/off too slow etc) then they by eu law, as long as the plane was flying to or from the eu, there is a standard rate that they have to pay.
What the airlines are disputing is if there is a mechanical issue with the plane. The airlines are saying if a plane breaks and can't fly, it isn't their fault, it's Boeing or Airbus' fault. The manufacturers are saying 'nope, it's the airlines maintenance issue'. My argument would have been 'I havent asked Boeing/Airbus to fly me on holiday, Ive asked, in my case, air canada, and they couldn't deliver so they should pay the compo.
So yeah, it's in the appeals courts at the moment but I'm pretty confident they'll side with the mfrs and I'll get a decent payout for a 24hr delayed flight to Canada. (600€)
Good info here...
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/flight-delays
I thought boeing/airbus built the airframe, the airlines could then fit it with cheap ass engines and other fittings. Plus if their servicing sucks ass that's not the manufacturers fault either.The airlines are saying if a plane breaks and can't fly, it isn't their fault, it's Boeing or Airbus' fault
But agreed if you buy a ticket from the airline (or travel firm) imo they should refund you and claim from further up the chain if they feel the need.
Been delayed a few times don't remember claiming
I received compensation for a flight to the US with Virgin that I took 4 years ago recently. I wrote to them about a year after the flight and they wrote back and said it wasn't their fault as it was a technical fault with the plane, so I left it at that. It was recently ruled that this isn't a valid excuse, so I downloaded and filled in a form off their website, and a few weeks later I received a cheque for 600 euros, after no argument.
There is a good guide on moneysaving expert.
I had this with easyjet (oversold flight), got the next plane 4 hours later and £250. All i had to do was phone them up, they sent a form by e-mail, returned it, and £250 was transfered into my bank account!
The flight only cost £60!
Tempting in future to book flights as far in advance as possible (cheap), 4 hours early in future at busy times of year. Seems almost a 50/50 chance of having to wait 4 hours but getting a free holliday!
Cheers for the reminder, I had a flight delayed back from berlin the other week, was 3h50m delayed, so under 4 hours, I think i'm due £125 back.
Interesting thread, this.
My wife & I went to Ibiza a few years ago with Thomson and the flight was delayed almost 24hrs on the way out and about 18hrs on the way back.
At the time, I don't think there was anything we could do, even with our travel insurance. Well, I think we could get about £20 compensation and the hoops we had to jump through meant it wasn't worth it.
But, £480 x2 might be worth looking into!
I've been paid the EC comp a few times. Most airlines have a form or online form you can fill out.
Currently getting fobbed off by Aer Lingus for a 3 hour delay on the basis that it was a mechanical fault and therefore they are not liable. NEB guidance suggests this is incorrect.
I've referred it to the ombudsman and waiting on a decision.
(EC) 261/2004 is the relevant reg. Caselaw is thin on the ground and conflicting.
I had a delay recently of just shy of 3 hours Aer Lingus Dublin to Bristol, we were given a voucher for 6 euro.
Looked at Money supermarket site and it said that after a delay of 3 hours you could start to get compensation.
I am in the process of a claim, currently in limbo as the offending operator are waiting for the outcome of the appeal case that is not due to be decided until next year. Not sure if there is anyway to pursue this or just wait for the court ruling
Looking at that it seems I should be able to claim for a delayed flight in December 2007 - which should be interesting...
2 [b][u]DAY[/b][/u] delay on a flight back to UK from Jamaica after a weeks all inclusive holiday basically after compo a rthen 9 da all inclusive in Jamaica cost us about £250 for both of us
Our club flew with Monarch airlines to Mallorca and were delayed over 7 hours on the return leg. There were 26 of us. Monarch refused any compensation so we are using a no win/no fee lawyer on the basis of EU law. We have started the legal process. We are using Bott and CO (www.bottonline.co.uk) They are very good...
As I understand it, its like tomhoward says above, the airlines lost in one court and have now appealed that decision.
Other court cases are waiting for appeal decision.
If you are in a new situation I would start the process of claiming but be prepared to wait for the ruling.
I had a two day delay once in Toronto on the way to Bogota.They basically covered my expenses and said something about buying a flight is a contract to get you there, not within a certain time. I forgot all about it in Colombia 😀
Only applies to flights leaving from or arriving in the EU...
24 hrs late coming back from Chicago, Airlines's fault.
Missed birth of 1st and only child by about 30 mins as a result (picked up text on landing). (FYI - Daughter was 1 month early, not me being irresponsible and travelling that close to the other half getting ready to pop). Anyway, airline got me off the plane before anyone else so I could go and see the wife and child.
Standard compo. I included the child birth miss in the covering letter for effect. Didn't work 😆
