Etihad Airways Compensation for Flight Delays and Cancellations

Passengers of Etihad Airways who have faced a delayed or cancelled flight have a legal right to compensation. According to EU Regulation 261/2004, airlines must compensate passengers if there’s a significant disruption. In this article, we’ll examine your rights and the actions you need to take to receive the compensation you have a right to from the airline.

Etihad Airways Flight Delay or Cancellation Compensation

Before claiming the Etihad Airways 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.

Etihad Airways 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 is delayed. It’s essential to note that this flight delay compensation is based 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 final destination.

Let’s take a look at how much compensation you may receive if your flight is delayed. The amount of compensation depends on various criteria, 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 might not receive compensation for every flight delay. Etihad Airways is not obliged to compensate passengers when extraordinary circumstances outside their control arise. This includes bad weather, airport issues, or air traffic controller strikes. In these cases, you will usually not be given compensation as it is not the airline’s fault.

Etihad Airways Compensation for Flight Cancellation

European Union Regulation 261/2004 states that airlines are required to inform passengers of flight cancellations at least 14 days before departure. If the airline doesn’t provide timely notification, you could qualify for flight cancellation compensation ranging from €250 to €600 per passenger, according to the flight distance. However, if the airline provides you with an alternate flight, it may avoid 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 another flight, passengers retain their claim for compensation if they still experience significant delays at their final destination. The compensation amount is determined according to two criteria: the distance of the flight and the duration of the delay, according to 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

Etihad Airways doesn’t have to compensate you if they offer an alternative flight that departs and arrives around 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 staff goes on strike.

Are Etihad Airways Flights Covered By EU 261/2004?

European Union Regulation 261 covers all flights departing from European Union 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, Etihad Airways isn’t a European airline. Consequently, they are not obliged 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 Etihad Airways

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

• Complete this form. You’ll need to provide details such as your flight number, date, and the problem you faced.
• Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will take over. We know the EU laws comprehensively and will do our best to secure your compensation. You are only charged if we win your case.

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

What You Can Get Besides EU Flight Compensation

Etihad Airways goes the additional mile to help passengers during travel disruptions by providing services that complement flight compensation.

Right to Care

When flight disruptions happen, Etihad Airways is committed to ensuring passenger comfort through the Right to Care provision. This 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: Etihad Airways 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, Etihad Airways provides hotel room 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 airline staff at the airport for immediate assistance.

Rebooking and Refunds

When Etihad Airways cancels a flight, passengers can choose to receive a full refund or rebook on another flight. This option is essential for minimizing travel disruptions and helping 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 journey, Etihad Airways shall 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, Etihad Airways shall arrange accommodation and transfers as needed. 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 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. Furthermore, if your booking involves connecting flights, Etihad Airways 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 smooth as possible, understanding the stress and inconvenience caused by cancellations.

Recent Flight Delays and Cancellations