Several inconveniences can be caused by flying, but are we protected?
Airlines including Finnair are registering more bookings than there are seats available on the plane in order to achieve maximum aircraft filling. This is explained by the fact that around 20% of passengers on a scheduled flight do not show up for boarding.
Before denying boarding of overbooked passengers, carriers must appeal to volunteer passengers who agree to delay their flight.
Volunteer to leave the plane:
In this case, you benefit from the possibility of canceling your flight and obtaining a refund for your ticket or being redirected to your final destination,
under comparable transport conditions, as soon as possible or at a later date. You are also eligible for compensation.
Otherwise, the Finnish air carrier may refuse boarding against your will but must obligatorily pay you compensation
the amount of which varies according to the length of the flight:
– 250€ for flights of less than 1,500 km,
– 400€ for flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km,
– 600€ for flights over 3,500 km.
The amount of compensation may be limited to the price of the ticket corresponding to your final destination.
It is important to remember that in addition to the financial compensation, the national carrier of Finland must bear all the expenses occasioned by this unforeseen event, including the overnight stay at the hotel, catering expenses, telephone calls, etc.
And if the flight is canceled
When your flight is canceled, the carrier must provide you with free refreshments, catering options, hotel accommodation if necessary given the delay, the cost of two telephone calls and any transfers to a replacement airport.
Finnair must also give you the choice between:
– Re-routing as soon as possible or at a later date at your convenience or obtain reimbursement without penalty of the ticket price for the part of the journey not carried out.
If necessary, a return flight to your initial point of departure as soon as possible.
The amount of compensation is not limited to the price of the ticket corresponding to your final destination.
It is important to remember that:
Compensation is not compulsory when
– Finnair proves that the cancellation is due to extraordinary circumstances which could not have been avoided such as for example, the cancellation of the flight is due to the congestion of the air corridors, weather causes, political circumstances occurring in the country of destination, …
The carrier informs you of the cancellation of the flight at least 2 weeks before the scheduled departure time, or, in the event of a shorter delay, if a place was offered to you on another flight at an hour close to the original schedule planned.
Obliged to change your travel plan due to a big delay in your plane
A delay is considered important, when the flight is delayed compared to the scheduled departure time:
– 2 hours or more for all flights of 1,500 kilometers or less.
– 3 hours or more for all flights of 1,500 to 3,500 km.
– 4 hours or more for all other flights.
When your flight is significantly delayed, the Finnish airline must provide you with free of charge
– refreshments, meals, accommodation at the hotel if necessary taking into account the waiting time, the cost of two telephone calls and any transfers to a replacement airport.
If the delay is at least 5 hours, regardless of the route, the passenger is entitled to have his ticket refunded if he gives up continuing his journey.
It is important to note that compensation is not compulsory when Finnair proves that the delay is due to extraordinary circumstances which could not have been avoided, and which can be an obstruction of air routes, weather causes, political circumstances occurring in the country of destination.