Qantas Compensation and Reimbursement for Cancelled and Delayed Flights

Whenever flights are cancelled or delayed, it can be annoying and inconvenient for passengers. However, the European Union has a regulation 261/2004 that helps protect passengers in such situations. Under EU261/2004, if your flight is disrupted, the airline has to provide you with compensation and assistance.

Passenger Rights Under EU 261/2004

EU Regulation 261 is the law that deals with the rights of air passengers. More precisely, this legislation covers diverse cases, including flight cancellations, delays, rebooking, etc., and requires airlines to handle individual cases with fairness and care. If the situation occurs as a result of the airline’s fault, any traveler who experienced certain inconveniences is entitled to get compensation. In addition, passengers can receive certain benefits, which we will discuss further in the article.

Right to Compensation

The EU 261 encompasses regulations regarding the process of compensation, including assistance to travelers who suffered from issues with flights. Specifically, the amount of compensation you can potentially get is up to 600 euros per passenger. This sum varies, depending on your circumstances.

Compensation for Qantas Flight Cancellation

First and foremost, travelers should be aware that the airline must inform them about the flight cancellation. If the airline notifies you less than fourteen days before your flight date and does not provide any alternative flight, the airline, according to the EU 261, must pay you compensation of 250 – 600 euros.

At the same time, if a passenger is offered an alternative flight but reaches his destination later than the scheduled arrival time of the original flight, the passenger could be entitled to compensation. The table below shows the airline’s obligations according to the length of the delay:

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

Compensation for Qantas Flight Delay

When a flight is delayed for 3+ hours, the airline is obligated to pay compensation. If the flight is delayed for 5 hours or more, the passenger may receive a ticket refund or another flight to the final destination.

Furthermore, in such situations, the airline must also provide a passenger with beverages, some food, and accommodation. See key information on compensation in the table below:

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

Right to Care

Right to Care relates to a specific aspect of European Union Regulation 261/2004, which sets out standard rules on assistance and compensation to passengers in the event of flight cancellations, long delays, or denied boarding.

The “Right to Care” under EU 261 obliges airlines to provide certain services and assistance to passengers facing significant delays or cancellations. These include:

• Snacks and drinks appropriate to the waiting time
• Hotel accommodation if an overnight stay becomes necessary
• Transport between the airport and the hotel
• Two free phone calls, emails, or faxes

Upgrading and Downgrading

In situations where a passenger receives an alternative flight, it is helpful to understand upgrading and downgrading the flight’s class.

In cases, when the airline provides you with an upgraded class (for instance, you had Economy but were upgraded to Business class), you won’t have to pay additional fees for this upgrade.

Regarding downgrading in class (in case you booked a Business class flight, but were downgraded to Economy), you can get reimbursement. In this case, you should be aware that the amount of compensation is determined by the distance of a flight:

• 30% of the flight tickets cost for a 1,500 km distance or less;
• 50% of the flight tickets cost (specifically, for intra-EU flights that are over 1,500 km and all other flights with a 1,500 km and 3,500 km distance;
• 75% of the ticket price for flights with a 3,500+ km distance.

Be aware that these rights apply to any flights inside the European Union, as well as flights departing from or arriving in the European Union operated by airlines based in the EU.

When Are You Not Entitled to Compensation?

Unfortunately, there are cases, when passengers won’t get compensation for cancelled or delayed flights. Particularly, we talk about extraordinary circumstances that are beyond the airline’s control. Some of the examples are as follows:

• Bad weather conditions and natural disasters;
• Political circumstances (related security risks, terrorist attacks);
• A collision of the aircraft and foreign objects (birds, for instance);
• Unruly or very ill passengers;
• Strikes (that are not caused by the airline’s crew).

Moreover, if the airline might have been able to do something to avoid issues regarding the flight and failed to handle the situation, you may be eligible for compensation.

Which Flights are Covered by EU 261/2004?

EU 261 applies to all flights departing from European Union airports. This regulation also extends to flights arriving in the EU if the airline originates in the EU. This includes airlines from EU countries as well as Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.

Nevertheless, Qantas is not a European airline. Consequently, they don’t have to pay compensation if their flights operate outside of the European Union. This applies even to their flights to the European Union if they start outside the EU.

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

How to Claim Qantas Compensation

Flight delay or cancellation is an unpleasant situation that can not only upset you but also ruin all your travel plans. Passengers who unfortunately encounter a flight delay or cancellation should be aware of the process to seek compensation. To apply for compensation, follow these steps:

1. Complete this form. You’ll need to provide details including your flight number, date, and the issue you encountered.
2. Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will take over. We understand the EU laws comprehensively and will do our best to get you your compensation. You only incur a fee if we win your case.

Recent Flight Delays and Cancellations