Having access to compensation after having been delayed by the Polish carrier
A flight delayed a few hours can quickly wreak havoc when planning a trip. Business trip or real globetrotter, the more you take the plane, the more you risk experiencing these kinds of adventures …
You may have already experienced this type of delay or, even if I do not wish it, you will eventually be faced in the future with a plane delay with Lot Polish or any other company for that matter, to a canceled flight and even to a denied boarding. It is for this reason that it is advisable to inquire now about this, in order to know what to do when this event occurs. If you wish to request a possible compensation or financial compensation, it is possible, in this article we provide you with some advice to remind you of your rights and to help you carry out your request for compensation.
Late flight? What we recommend to you to succeed
When the departure of the aircraft does not take place at the scheduled time, the information is specified at the airport on the notice board with the famous mention “Delayed”.
If you are at the airport when you learn of the delay of your plane, it is advisable to go to the counter of the Polish company in order to know the reasons for the delay (to be specified in writing ideally in case you plan to do then a complaint). If you have to eat and sleep at the hotel at your own expense, keep a copy of your invoices with you. You must send them to your carrier to try to be reimbursed.
You should know that LOT Polish is obliged to warn passengers of their rights. The conditions of compensation and reimbursement must also be indicated in the registration area.
The cases where one is eligible for compensation
If the plane is late or the flight is canceled, in which cases can we ask for compensation?
There are European texts which aim to ensure the protection of passengers and their rights. They relate to travel within the European Union, Switzerland, Iceland and Norway.
As for deadlines, the company is required to provide you with assistance in the event that the delay is at least:
2 hours for short-haul flights (less than 1500 km).
3 hours for EU flights of more than 1,500 km, and 1,500 to 3,500 km for other flights.
4 hours in the case of long-haul flights (more than 3,500 km).
The passenger must be able to prove that he had booked the flight concerned and that he was sufficient in advance to take the plane (allow 45 minutes before the scheduled boarding time). You cannot ask for compensation if you have been denied boarding because you arrived late!
The cost of compensation that we can claim
The amount given as compensation, if damage can be proven, varies according to the distance of the flight. Here is an estimate, it takes about:
In the European Union:
– Less than 1,500 km: € 250
– More than 1,500 km: 400 €
Between an airport in the EU and an airport located outside the EU:
– Up to 1,500 km: € 250
– From 1,500 to 3,500 km: € 400
– More than 3,500 km: € 600
You can also ask for compensation for damages and / or interest in the event that the flight delay would have caused certain consequences such as the cancellation of holidays or taxi costs when you had to reach the hotel by bus …
LOT Polish is obliged to reimburse you for the ticket, or to offer you a solution to reach your destination as quickly as possible, or also to register a new reservation on the date of your choice.
Please note, in some cases, the cancellation of a flight cannot be retained, in particular for cases of force majeure (weather conditions + other hazards), if the passenger has been informed of this cancellation early enough, 14 days before the scheduled departure date, or if another flight with similar conditions would have been offered instead.
Finally, in the event of a strike by airline personnel, if they cannot prove that this event was unpredictable, you may then be asked to compensate them.
What if the ordeal suffered at the airport was the result of overbooking?
Also be aware that you may be denied boarding if the aircraft is full (in the event that the carrier has sold more seats than the aircraft has). Overbooking is a technique used to fill aircraft to the maximum, taking into account absenteeism statistics at the start of a flight. In this case, compensation and assistance must be offered to the passenger.
Compensation of passengers victims of long plane delays: What procedure should victims initiate?
Have you ever experienced a plane delay or a cancellation and you want to obtain financial compensation?
Here is how your procedure should go:
A specific complaint form must be sent to the company responsible for the delay or cancellation of the flight you booked. However, this approach is no longer reliable, the airlines know how to overwhelm you with complex cumbersome procedures.
In order for the claim for compensation and / or reimbursement to have the maximum chance of being successful, it is advisable to call in specialist firms. So many startups offer effective services and solutions for the protection and defense of air consumers, and you don’t even need to meet them, just send them the data on your transport ticket so they can proceed at the design of your file.
It is possible to quickly check on their site if we can claim compensation using their calculator. Then, they are lawyers who manage the requests directly, they know the arguments to advance in order to obtain for you success of case and especially a compensation. The startup is paid on commission. If your request is accepted, it will receive a 25% premium (plus VAT), and you may receive 75% of the amount granted. So by delegating this task, you do not have to take care of all the administrative part and you maximize your chances that your request is accepted.
The opinions on these startups are very positive, the overwhelming majority of people who use this service, are satisfied because their requests were successful.
More than 440,000 € is the sum that could be demanded by Poles who have suffered a flight delay or cancellation during the last 5 years as compensation. so do not hesitate to ask for a remedy, especially since going through legal firms, you risk nothing, because they take a commission only in case of failure of the operation.