Dealing with flight disruptions can be quite upsetting. However, the bright side is that the European Union has laws to support travelers when things don’t go as planned. If you’re traveling by air in the EU, it’s a good idea to understand these protections. They can come in handy if your flight is disrupted.
Knowing what you’re entitled to can make dealing with travel complications less stressful. While it won’t make your flight go any faster, it can reduce your anxiety when things get disrupted.
Passenger Rights under EU Regulation 261/2004
If your flight has problems in the European Union, you’ll get support. EU laws ensure airlines look after their passengers when things go wrong.
When flights are delayed or cancelled, airlines must provide you:
- Meals and beverages
- Accommodation if you’re stranded overnight
- Transportation to and from the hotel
- Two free phone calls, emails, or faxes
If you’re experiencing a significant delay or your flight is cancelled, you might also get:
- A refund
- An alternative flight
- Compensation to make up for the inconvenience
Don’t forget to inquire with airline workers about these entitlements if your plans change. They must inform you about your rights when there’s a significant delay or cancellation.
AeroItalia Flight Delay Compensation
Flight delays from AeroItalia can be very frustrating. However there’s a bright side: if you’re delayed for more than three hours owing to the airline’s fault, you might be able to get some compensation.
Regulations in the UK and EU are in your favor. You could be eligible for up to €600 per person. What is important is when you arrive, 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 how far you’re flying. A brief trip won’t get you as much money as a longer flight, even if they’re both delayed for the same duration.
Curious about 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 |
AeroItalia Flight Cancellation Compensation
The EU has laws to help you in case of flight cancellation. Here’s what you need to know:
If your flight gets cancelled within two weeks of your scheduled departure, you may be entitled to compensation of up to €600. But there’s a catch – the airline can avoid paying if they offer you an alternative flight that doesn’t mess up your plans too much.
The carrier can bypass compensation if they arrange a replacement 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 agree to take an alternative flight from the airline, you’re still eligible for compensation. What matters most is your arrival time at your destination.
Your potential compensation depends on two factors:
- How far you’re flying
- The time difference between the scheduled and actual arrival
Therefore, even if the alternative flight is delayed, you might still get some compensation.
Check out the table below to understand better:
| 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 arrive shortly after the scheduled time, you might not be eligible for flight cancellation compensation.
How to Claim Compensation from AeroItalia
It’s crucial to be aware of the process of claiming the compensation you’re entitled to under EU Regulation 261/2004. Here’s what you need to do:
- 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 handle the rest. We are well-versed in the EU laws thoroughly and will strive to obtain your rightful compensation. You only pay us if we win your case.
Remember that it is your right as a passenger to claim compensation for a cancelled or delayed flight. Regardless of whether your flight was delayed as a result of operational issues or mechanical problems, if it was not caused by extraordinary circumstances such as adverse weather conditions or air traffic control decisions, you are entitled to compensation.
Which AeroItalia Flights are Covered by EU261?
The EU’s air passenger protection laws are comprehensive in scope. They cover any flight taking off from an airport within an EU country and any flight coming into an airport within an EU country provided the airline is based in the EU.
| Itinerary | Covered by EU 261 |
| Flights departing EU airports | ✅ Covered |
| Flights arriving at EU airports | ✅ Covered |
These laws also include airlines from Switzerland, Iceland, and Norway. This means when you travel with any airline within, to, or from Europe, you likely have these rights. It’s helpful to know about these regulations – they exist to support you if problems occur with your flight. They ensure you’re not abandoned when your trip arrangements don’t work out.
When You Are Not Entitled to Compensation
AeroItalia isn’t necessarily responsible when flights are delayed or cancelled. Sometimes, events occur that the airline can’t control, like really bad weather or unexpected problems.
For instance, if there’s unexpected severe weather, an airport emergency, or air traffic controllers go on strike, AeroItalia isn’t responsible. These are called “extraordinary circumstances” that the airline is unable to prevent.
When these things happen, you are unlikely to get any compensation. The airline isn’t viewed as doing anything wrong when these unforeseen difficulties occur.