Unpleasantness caused by SAS: What is needed to repair them?
Delayed flights, lost luggage, overbooking, … too many passengers encounter difficulties in asserting their rights in the event of a problem with airlines including Scandinavian Airlines System. An update on how to resolve a dispute.
Air carriers do not respect passenger rights enough. This is the finding drawn up by a survey, published Thursday, April 27, of the UFC-Que Choisir conducted in partnership with seven consumer associations worldwide (Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, Spain, Italy and Portugal). Carried out with 11,273 travelers in the last quarter of 2016, it analyzed 20,000 flight experiences.
As a first lesson, 25% of the flights studied report a delay of at least 15 minutes. For 10% of the passengers concerned, this delay was accompanied by a financial loss because they missed a train or were unable to go to a prepaid excursion. “In more than half of the cases, the amount lost was more than 100 euros”; However, “in such a situation”, the Montreal Convention of 1999 on the rules relating to international air transport, obliges the airline company to compensate the traveler . If the latter refuses, he can always initiate legal proceedings, a “complex” and “uncertain” procedure.
Air carriers do not respect the entire rights of their passengers
The investigation also found a delay of at least 2 hours for 6% of the thefts. In this case, European legislation obliges companies to take care of passengers (drink, meal, hotel). But only 46% of the travelers concerned benefited from it.
In addition, in the event of a delay of more than 3 hours, 75% of those affected have not been reimbursed. A slight improvement compared to the previous survey in 2013, where this rate reached 93%.
Carriers look after their customers at the airport, however, when it comes to compensating them, this right is often overlooked.
Litigation related to loss or damage to luggage
Another source of litigation is luggage problems. For 10% of the flights, checked baggage was either lost, damaged or delayed. The airline company is normally required, in the name of European regulations, to pay you compensation. In 85% of cases, this obligation is not respected.
Obtaining compensation: How to push SAS to compensate you?
You often try to resolve your dispute amicably, by sending your request by registered mail with acknowledgment of receipt to the Scandinavian airline, but unfortunately, like millions of other passengers, you find yourself without response even if three or six months are already passed since the sending of your complaint. Otherwise, you often receive unfavorable responses. Air operators are able to anticipate false arguments such as (citing force majeure, for example) to justify themselves and deprive you of compensation.
Companies specializing in litigation handling take care of the resolution of your file
In the event of a delayed, canceled or overbooked flight, you should directly consider turning to websites that will help you obtain the compensation due to you from the airline (SAS). To date, several startups exist.
The process is simple. You provide your contact details, the date and flight number and the companies start the process. You have nothing to pay. It is only when compensation is obtained that they charge a commission of around 30% on average.