Handling flight disruptions can be really frustrating. However, the positive thing is that the European Union has laws to assist travelers when things don’t go as planned. If you’re taking a plane in the EU, it’s smart to know about these regulations. They can help you out if your flight goes off course.
Understanding your rights can make handling travel problems a lot simpler. While it won’t speed up your journey, it can help you feel less stressed when things get disrupted.
Passenger Rights under EU Regulation 261/2004
EU air passengers are protected if their flight experiences difficulties. EU laws ensure airlines look after their passengers when things go wrong.
When flights are delayed or cancelled, airlines must provide you:
- Refreshments and snacks
- A hotel room if you’re stuck 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 be entitled to:
- A refund
- An alternative flight
- Compensation to make up for the inconvenience
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 Belgium Flight Delay Compensation
Travel setbacks from Air Belgium can be very frustrating. However there’s a bright side: if you’re stuck waiting for more than three hours owing to the airline’s fault, you might be able to get some compensation.
Laws in the UK and EU are on your side. You could get up to €600 per person. What is important is when you land, not when you leave. So keep an eye on your arrival time if you want to seek flight delay compensation.
The amount you receive depends on how far you’re flying. A short flight won’t be compensated as highly as a long one, even if they’re both delayed for the same duration.
Curious about exactly how much you could get? Take a look at 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 |
Air Belgium Flight Cancellation Compensation
The EU has laws to protect you if your flight gets cancelled. Here’s the important information:
If your flight is cancelled less than two weeks before you’re supposed to leave, you may be entitled to compensation as much as €600. But keep in mind – the airline doesn’t have to pay if they offer you an alternative flight that aligns closely with your original schedule.
The carrier can bypass compensation 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 accept another flight from the airline, you’re still eligible for compensation. The most important thing is when you reach your final destination.
How much money you might get is determined by two things:
- The distance of your flight
- The delay in your arrival
As a result, even if you arrive later than planned, you might still get some compensation.
Refer to the table below to see more details:
| 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 Air Belgium
It’s essential to understand how to claim the compensation you deserve under EU Regulation 261/2004. Here’s how to do it:
- Complete our 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 manage the process. We understand the EU laws comprehensively and will strive to get you your compensation. You only incur a fee if we win your case.
Keep in mind that you have the right as a passenger to claim compensation for a delayed or cancelled flight. No matter whether your flight was delayed because of operational issues or technical issues, if it was not caused by extraordinary circumstances including adverse weather conditions or air traffic control decisions, you are entitled to compensation.
Which Air Belgium Flights are Covered by EU261?
The European Union’s laws for protecting air passengers have a wide-ranging 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 if the flight is operated by an EU airline.
| 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 when you travel with any airline to, from, or within Europe, you likely have these rights. It’s good to understand these laws – they’re there to assist you if issues arise with your flight. They make sure you’re not left on your own when your travel plans fall through.
When You Are Not Entitled to Compensation
Air Belgium isn’t necessarily at fault when flights are delayed or cancelled. Sometimes, situations arise that the airline has no control over, like really bad weather or unforeseen issues.
For instance, if there’s a sudden storm, an emergency at the airport, or an air traffic control strike, Air Belgium isn’t responsible. These are called “extraordinary circumstances” that the airline is unable to prevent.
When these situations occur, you probably won’t get any compensation. The airline isn’t seen as doing anything wrong when these unexpected issues come up.