Coping with flight issues can be very annoying. However, the positive thing is that the European Union has laws to assist travelers when things don’t go as planned. If you’re traveling by air in the EU, it’s smart to know about these protections. They can help you out if your flight is disrupted.
Being aware of your options can make dealing with travel complications much easier. While it won’t make your flight go any faster, it can make you more relaxed when things don’t go as planned.
Passenger Rights under EU Regulation 261/2004
If your flight has problems in the EU, you’ll get support. EU laws make sure 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 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 trouble
Don’t forget to inquire with airline representatives about these entitlements if your plans change. They must inform you about your rights when there’s a significant delay or cancellation.
Air Austral Flight Delay Compensation
Flight delays from Air Austral can be very frustrating. However there’s some good news: if you’re stranded for more than three hours because of the airline’s fault, you might be able to get some compensation.
Regulations in the UK and EU are on your side. You could be eligible for up to €600 per person. What is important is when you reach your destination, not when you leave. So keep an eye on your arrival time if you want to seek flight delay compensation.
How much you get depends on the length of your journey. A brief trip won’t yield as much as a longer flight, even if they’re both delayed the same amount of time.
Want to know exactly how much you could get? Take a look at the table below to see the potential reimbursement amounts:
| 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 |
Air Austral Flight Cancellation Compensation
The EU has regulations to assist you if your flight gets cancelled. Here’s what you should know:
In the event of a flight cancellation within two weeks of your scheduled departure, you could be eligible for compensation as much as €600. But there’s a catch – the airline can avoid paying if they rebook you on a different flight that doesn’t mess up your plans too much.
The airline can avoid paying you if they offer you a new 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 key factor is your arrival time at your destination.
Your potential compensation depends on two things:
- The length of your flight
- The time difference between the scheduled and actual arrival
Therefore, even if you arrive later than planned, you may still receive some compensation.
Refer to 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 might not be required 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 Air Austral
It’s important to be aware of how to request the compensation you’re entitled to under EU Regulation 261/2004. Here’s what you need to do:
- Fill in this form. You’ll need to provide details like your flight number, date, and what went wrong.
- Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will take over. We are well-versed in the EU laws well and will do our best to secure your compensation. You only pay us if we win your case.
Remember that you have the right as a passenger to claim compensation for a delayed or cancelled flight. Regardless of whether your flight was delayed because of operational reasons or mechanical problems, if it was not caused by extraordinary circumstances like adverse weather conditions or air traffic control decisions, you are entitled to compensation.
Which Air Austral Flights are Covered by EU261?
The air passenger protection regulations of the European Union have a wide-ranging scope. They cover every flight leaving an airport in an EU member state and to all flights arriving at an airport in an EU member state 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 apply to airlines from Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland. This means if you’re flying with any airline to, from, or within Europe, you most likely have these rights. It’s helpful to be aware of these regulations – they exist to help you if problems occur with your flight. They make sure you’re not abandoned when your trip arrangements don’t work out.
When You Are Not Entitled to Compensation
Air Austral isn’t necessarily at fault when flights are delayed or cancelled. At times, events occur that the airline can’t control, like really bad weather or unexpected problems.
For instance, if there’s unexpected severe weather, an emergency at the airport, or a strike by air traffic controllers, Air Austral is not liable. These are called “extraordinary circumstances” that the airline has no control over.
When these things happen, you likely won’t get any compensation. The airline isn’t viewed as doing anything wrong when these unexpected issues arise.