China Airlines Compensation for Flight Delays and Cancellations

Passengers of China Airlines who have faced a flight cancellation or delay have a legal right to compensation. Under EU Regulation 261/2004, airlines must compensate passengers when there is a significant disruption. In this article, we will look at your rights and the actions you need to take to receive the compensation you have a right to from the airline.

China Airlines Flight Delay or Cancellation Compensation

Before claiming the China Airlines compensation, you should be aware of the conditions and the amount of compensation you may expect to get in case of flight cancellation or delay.

China Airlines Compensation for Flight Delay

According to UK and EU laws, passengers may be entitled to up to €600 in compensation per person if their flight experiences a delay. It’s crucial to note that this flight delay compensation is calculated using the flight’s landing time, not the departure time, so the key to your claim is the actual time you reach your destination airport.

Here’s an overview of how much compensation you could be eligible for if your flight is delayed. The amount of compensation varies based on various criteria, such as the duration of the delay and the route length of your flight:

Less than 3 hours	Between 3-4 hours	Over 4 hours	Distance
€0	€250	€250	All flights up to 1500 km
€0	€400	€400	All flights between 1500 km and 3500 km
€0	€400	€400	All intra-EU flights over 3500 km
€0	€300	€600	All non-EU flights over 3500 km

Be aware you might not receive compensation for every flight delay. China Airlines isn’t required to compensate passengers when extraordinary circumstances beyond their control happen. This covers severe weather conditions, problems at the airport, or air traffic controller strikes. In such situations, you will generally not be given compensation as it is not the airline’s fault.

China Airlines Compensation for Flight Cancellation

European Union Regulation 261/2004 states that airlines must inform passengers of cancellations at least 14 days before departure. If the airline fails to notify you in time, you might be eligible for flight cancellation compensation ranging from €250 to €600 per passenger, based on the distance of the flight. Nonetheless, if the airline provides you with an alternate flight, it could potentially avoid paying compensation for the cancelled flight if the following conditions are met:

Advance Notice	Re-routing Requirements
14 Days	None
7 – 13 Days	Alternative flight departing no more than 2 hours before and arriving less than 4 hours after the original flight
Less than 7 Days	Alternative flight departing no more than 1 hour before and arriving less than 2 hours after the original flight

Even when accepting an alternative flight, passengers retain their right to compensation if they still experience significant delays at their final destination. The compensation amount is determined based on two factors: the distance of the flight and the duration of the delay, in line with the table provided below:

Under 2 hours	2-3 hours	3-4 hours	Over 4 hours	Never arrived	Distance
€125	€250	€250	€250	€250	All flights 1,500 km or less
€200	€200	€400	€400	€400	Internal EU flights over 1,500 km
€200	€200	€400	€400	€400	Non-internal EU flights 1,500 km- 3,500 km
€300	€300	€300	€600	€600	Non-internal EU flights over 3,500 km

China Airlines is not obliged to compensate you if they offer an alternative flight that departs and arrives near the same time as your original flight. Moreover, you usually won’t receive compensation if the flight is cancelled due to circumstances beyond the airline’s control, such as bad weather or when airline staff goes on strike.

Are China Airlines Flights Covered By EU 261/2004?

European Union Regulation 261 covers all flights departing from EU airports. It also applies to flights arriving in the EU if the airline is based in the EU. This includes airlines from EU countries as well as Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.

Nevertheless, China Airlines isn’t a European airline. Therefore, they don’t have to pay you compensation if their flights operate outside of Europe. This is true even for their flights to Europe if they start outside the EU.

Itinerary	Covered by EU 261
Flights departing from EU airports	✔️ Yes
Flights arriving at EU airports	❌ No

How to Claim Compensation from China Airlines

If your travel plans have been affected by a flight delay or cancellation with China Airlines, it’s important to know that you might be entitled to compensation under EU laws. That’s why it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the process of claiming compensation. Here’s what you need to do:

• Complete our form. You’ll need to provide details such as your flight number, date, and the issue you encountered.
• Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will take over. We know the EU laws comprehensively and will make every effort to obtain your rightful compensation. You are only charged if we win your case.

These steps will help you file your claim quickly and increase your chances of obtaining the compensation you’re entitled to. You may have plenty of time after your flight to make a claim, but it’s best to complete it as soon as you can while you still remember all the details.

What You Can Get Besides EU Flight Compensation

China Airlines goes the additional mile to support passengers during travel interruptions by providing services that complement flight compensation.

Right to Care

When flight disruptions occur, China Airlines is committed to ensuring passenger comfort through the Right to Care provision. The right, established under EU Regulation 261/2004, becomes applicable when flight delays exceed two hours. The services provided include:

• Food and Drinks: Passengers are provided with meals and beverages appropriate to the length of delay. This may include vouchers for airport restaurants or direct distribution of snacks and drinks.
• Communication: China Airlines offers two free phone calls, emails, or fax messages to keep passengers connected with family or business contacts.
• Accommodation: If the delay extends for the night or requires an additional stay, China Airlines provides hotel accommodation. This also includes transportation between the airport and the hotel.
• Special Assistance: Extra care is given to passengers with reduced mobility or special needs.

To access these services, you can simply approach airport staff at the airport for immediate assistance.

Rebooking and Refunds

When China Airlines cancels a flight, passengers have the option to receive a full refund or rebook on another flight. This flexibility is crucial for minimizing travel disruptions and supporting passengers to manage unforeseen circumstances successfully.

• Full Refund: if you request a refund, you can get full reimbursement for the parts of your trip that you didn’t use, including any tickets you only partly used. Also, if the cancellation means your trip no longer serves its original purpose, you may get a flight back to where you first started at the earliest chance.
• Rebooking: if you choose to continue your trip, China Airlines will provide rebooking on the next available flight to your destination. You also have the option to select an alternative route if there are seats available. If the next available flight is scheduled for the following day or later, China Airlines shall arrange accommodation and transfers as necessary. Additionally, you have the right to be rebooked, even in a higher class, at no additional cost to you if that’s the only available option.

It’s important to keep in mind some additional considerations. If you’re rebooked on a lower class than originally booked, you’re entitled to a partial refund of the cost difference. Additionally, if your booking includes connecting flights, China Airlines will assist in rebooking your entire journey, not only the cancelled segment.

Whether choosing a refund or arranging a new flight, the procedures are designed to make this process as easy as possible, understanding the stress and inconvenience caused by cancellations.

Recent Flight Delays and Cancellations