Delta Air Lines Compensation for Flight Delays and Cancellations

Passengers of Delta Air Lines who have faced a delayed or cancelled flight have a legal right to compensation. According to EU 261/2004, an airline is obliged to compensate passengers in case of a significant disruption. Here, we’ll examine your rights and the actions you should follow to get the compensation you are entitled to from the airline.

Delta Air Lines Flight Delay or Cancellation Compensation

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

Delta Air Lines Compensation for Flight Delay

In line with UK and EU regulations, passengers are eligible for up to €600 in compensation per person if their flight experiences a delay. It’s important to note that this flight delay compensation depends on the flight’s landing time, not the departure time, so the key to your claim relies on the actual time you land at 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 depends on several factors, including the duration of the delay and the distance 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 may not be compensated for every flight delay. Delta Air Lines is not obliged to pay compensation when extraordinary circumstances outside their control happen. This covers bad weather, problems at the airport, or a strike by air traffic controllers. In such situations, you will generally not be given compensation as it is not the airline’s fault.

Delta Air Lines Compensation for Flight Cancellation

European Union Regulation 261/2004 states that airlines have to inform passengers of flight cancellations at least 14 days before the scheduled flight. If the airline doesn’t provide timely notification, you could qualify 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 may 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

When accepting a different flight, passengers retain their claim for compensation if they still experience significant delays at their final destination. The compensation amount is determined based on two factors: the flight distance and the length of the delay, in line with the table 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

Delta Air Lines isn’t required to compensate you if they provide 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 adverse weather conditions or when airline workers go on strike.

Are Delta Air Lines Flights Covered By EU 261/2004?

EU 261 applies to all flights departing from EU airports. This regulation also extends 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, Delta Air Lines is not a European airline. Consequently, they are not obliged to pay you compensation if their flights operate outside of Europe. This applies even to 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 Delta Air Lines

If your travel plans have been affected by a flight delay or cancellation with Delta Air Lines, it’s crucial to be aware that you might be entitled to compensation under EU regulations. For this reason, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the process of claiming compensation. Here’s what you need to do:

• Fill in our form. You’ll need to provide details like your flight number, date, and the problem you faced.
• Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will handle the rest. We are well-versed in the EU laws well and will make every effort to secure your compensation. You only incur a fee if we win your case.

These steps will assist you in filing your claim quickly and improve your chances of receiving the compensation you’re owed. You might have plenty of time after your flight to make a claim, but it’s best to file it as soon as you can while you still remember all the details.

What You Can Get Besides EU Flight Compensation

Delta Air Lines goes the extra mile to help passengers during travel interruptions by providing services that complement flight compensation.

Right to Care

When flight disruptions happen, Delta Air Lines is committed to ensuring passenger comfort through the Right to Care provision. The right, established under EU 261, kicks in when flight delays exceed two hours. The services provided include:

• Meals and Refreshments: 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: Delta Air Lines 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, Delta Air Lines provides hotel room accommodation. This 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 airline staff at the airport for instant assistance.

Rebooking and Refunds

When Delta Air Lines cancels a flight, passengers have the option to receive a full refund or rebook on another flight. This option is essential for minimizing travel disruptions and helping passengers to handle unforeseen circumstances efficiently.

• 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, Delta Air Lines 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, Delta Air Lines shall arrange accommodation and transfers as needed. Furthermore, you have the right to be rebooked, including in a higher class, at no additional cost to you if that’s the only available option.

It’s crucial 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, Delta Air Lines shall help in rebooking your entire journey, not just the cancelled segment.

Whether opting for 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