Dealing with flight issues can be really frustrating. However, the bright side is that the European Union has regulations to assist travelers when things don’t go as planned. If you’re flying in the EU, it’s wise to understand these protections. They can help you out if your flight goes off course.
Being aware of your options can make handling travel issues much easier. While it won’t make your flight go any faster, it can reduce your anxiety when things don’t go as planned.
Passenger Rights under EU Regulation 261/2004
EU air passengers are protected if their flight experiences difficulties. EU laws guarantee airlines take care of their passengers when things go wrong.
When flights are delayed or cancelled, airlines must offer you:
- Meals and beverages
- A hotel room if you’re stuck overnight
- Transportation to and from the hotel
- Two free phone calls, emails, or faxes
If you’re delayed for a long time or your flight is cancelled, you might also get:
- A refund
- A different flight option
- Compensation to make up for the inconvenience
Remember to inquire with airline staff about these things if your plans change. They are obligated to tell you about your rights when there’s a significant delay or cancellation.
Aer Lingus Flight Delay Compensation
Flight delays from Aer Lingus can be very frustrating. However there’s a silver lining: if you’re delayed for more than three hours because of the airline’s fault, you might be able to get some compensation.
Laws in the UK and EU are in your favor. You could receive up to €600 per person. What counts is when you reach your destination, not when you leave. So pay attention to your arrival time if you want to seek flight delay compensation.
The amount you receive depends on the length of your journey. A short flight won’t get you as much money as a long one, even if they’re both delayed the same amount of time.
Interested in learning exactly how much you could get? Check out the table below to see what compensation you could receive:
| 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 |
Aer Lingus Flight Cancellation Compensation
Europe has laws to help you if your flight gets cancelled. Here’s what you need to know:
In the event of a flight cancellation less than two weeks before you’re supposed to leave, you could be eligible for compensation up to €600. However, there’s a condition – the airline doesn’t have to pay if they offer you an alternative flight that doesn’t significantly disrupt your travel.
The airline may not need to compensate you if they provide an alternative flight that meets the following conditions:
| 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 |
If you choose to board a different flight from the airline, you can still get compensation. The most important thing is your arrival time at your destination.
The amount you could receive is determined by a couple of points:
- How far you’re flying
- How late you arrive
So, even if you arrive later than planned, you could still be eligible for compensation.
Refer to the table below for more information:
| 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 |
The airline may not need to compensate you if they can provide transportation to your destination, close to the original schedule. Even if you’re just a little late, you might not be eligible for flight cancellation compensation.
How to Claim Compensation from Aer Lingus
It’s essential to know how to request the compensation you deserve under EU Regulation 261/2004. Here’s the process:
- Complete this form. You’ll need to provide details including your flight number, date, and what went wrong.
- Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will manage the process. We are well-versed in the EU laws thoroughly and will strive to get you your compensation. You only incur a fee if we win your case.
Remember that you’re entitled as a passenger to claim compensation for a delayed or cancelled flight. No matter whether your flight was delayed as a result of operational reasons or technical difficulties, if it was not caused by extraordinary circumstances such as severe weather or air traffic control decisions, you are entitled to compensation.
Which Aer Lingus Flights are Covered by EU261?
The EU’s air passenger protection laws are far-reaching. They apply to every flight leaving a European Union member state airport and to all flights arriving at an airport in an EU member state when an EU-based airline operates the flight.
| Itinerary | Covered by EU 261 |
| Flights departing EU airports | ✅ Covered |
| Flights arriving at EU airports | ✅ Covered |
These regulations also cover airlines from Switzerland, Iceland, and Norway. This means if you’re traveling with any airline to, within, or from Europe, you most likely have these rights. It’s good to be aware of these regulations – they’re in place to assist you if something goes wrong with your flight. They make sure you’re not left on your own when your travel plans go awry.
When You Are Not Entitled to Compensation
Aer Lingus is not always at fault when flights are delayed or cancelled. At times, events occur that the airline has no control over, like really bad weather or unforeseen issues.
For example, if there’s an abrupt major weather event, an urgent situation at the airport, or an air traffic control strike, Aer Lingus isn’t responsible. These are called “extraordinary circumstances” that the airline is unable to prevent.
When these events take place, you probably won’t get any compensation. The airline is not considered to be doing anything wrong when these unexpected issues come up.