Late flight: Compensation options and solutions:
All flights departing from the European Union including Norway, Iceland and Switzerland offer you certain possibilities in the event of a delayed or canceled flight. The same will apply to all air carriers of all nationalities regardless of the final destination of the flight.
If the flight is from an airport outside the European Union (operated by FlyBe), Norway, Iceland or Switzerland, it must be destined for an airport located in the European Union and be operated by a carrier from the European Union. So this is the case when you fly from the United States to France.
However, this does not necessarily exclude benefits or compensation provided within the third state, that is to say, the non-member state of the Union.
Airplane delays: Several situations can arise
For delays on the departure of a flight, there are 3 scenarios, the first consisting of a delay of two hours or more on short flights of 1,500 km or less.
The second case concerns a delay of three hours or more on medium-haul flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km or intra-Community flights of more than 1,500 km.
Finally, the last scenario relates to a delay of four hours or more on long-haul flights of more than 3,500 km. So this is the case that interests us particularly when we travel to the United States.
In all cases, the passenger awaiting his flight can obtain support, the extent of which depends on the waiting time. This pick-up usually includes the distribution of drinks, food, payment for communications and, if necessary, accommodation and transfer from and to the airport.
If the delay is at least five hours, it is possible to be reimbursed for the plane ticket. To do this, you will have to give up the trip. If it is a connection, it is possible to request pick-up + assistance for a ticket to the original destination.
A flight delayed by FlyBe also grants a right of compensation in the event of a late arrival at the final destination if the delay reaches three hours or more after the scheduled arrival time by the carrier. This compensation is € 250 for flights of 1,500 km or less, € 400 for flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km and for all intra-Community flights over 1,500 km and finally, € 600 for long-haul flights.
Payment is made in cash or by any other means defined by the carrier. The latter may offer other solutions such as travel vouchers provided that the passenger’s written agreement is obtained. This is the solution that the British airline will offer you almost permanently.
What possibilities if the flight is canceled?
The cancellation of a flight allows the passenger to choose between a re-routing by another flight and the reimbursement of the ticket in the case of a renunciation of the flight. In the case of a transfer, support for a return ticket to the original destination may be granted.
This is what happened to me when my flight to Frankfort was canceled, and that landing in Munich did not suit me at all. After negotiation, they redirected me on a Boston-Paris flight, much more practical!
While waiting for the re-routing, Fly Be must take charge of the passenger as well as in the case of a delay of more than five hours.
The compensation relating to flight cancellations is identical to that granted in connection with flight delays. However, this compensation is not due if the passenger is informed at least two weeks before his flight or if another ticket is offered to him on a different flight, but departing at an hour close to the original flight. Nor is it due if the cancellation is due to extraordinary circumstances such as strikes.
Getting compensated: The recommended procedure
Compensation to the passenger is the responsibility of the carrier and the processing time is generally long, between six to eight months.
It is also possible to call on the services of a service provider who will take charge of the entire process for a commission.
The startup is responsible for settling all compensation procedures for the passenger. Its agents then act in the name and on behalf of their customers to claim and obtain compensation from the carrier for a commission of 27%, deducted directly from the compensation. In case of failure of the procedure, no cost will be claimed from the customer.
This solution is very interesting, many passengers had the chance to test it recently when their was simply canceled at the last minute.
Millions of travelers turn to these firms for success because their airlines ask for a lot of supporting documents while legal experts can deal with them quickly and easily.