Coping with flight problems can be quite upsetting. However, the good news is that the European Union has laws to support travelers when things get messed up. If you’re flying in the EU, it’s a good idea to understand these protections. They can come in handy if your flight gets messed up.
Being aware of your options can make dealing with travel issues much easier. While it won’t speed up your journey, it can make you more relaxed when things don’t go as planned.
Passenger Rights under EU Regulation 261/2004
When you’re flying in the European Union, rest assured that there’s help available in the case of a flight disruption. EU laws ensure airlines take care of their passengers when things go wrong.
When flights are delayed or cancelled, airlines must provide you:
- Meals and beverages
- A hotel room 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 be entitled to:
- A refund
- A different flight option
- Compensation to make up for the trouble
Don’t forget to ask airline representatives about these things if your plans change. They have to inform you about your rights when there’s a significant delay or cancellation.
Air Caraïbes Flight Delay Compensation
Delays with flights from Air Caraïbes can be really annoying. However there’s a bright side: if you’re stuck waiting 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 on your side. You could get up to €600 per person. What counts is when you land, not when you leave. So pay attention to your arrival time if you want to seek flight delay compensation.
How much you get depends on your flight distance. A brief trip won’t yield as much as a long one, even if they’re both delayed equally.
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 |
Air Caraïbes Flight Cancellation Compensation
The EU has regulations to assist you if your flight gets cancelled. Here’s what you should know:
If your flight is cancelled within two weeks of your planned travel date, you could be eligible for compensation as much as €600. But keep in mind – the airline can avoid paying if they can get you on another flight that doesn’t mess up your plans too much.
The carrier can bypass compensation 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 receive compensation. The key factor is when you reach your final destination.
The amount you could receive depends on a couple of points:
- The distance of your flight
- The delay in your arrival
As a result, even if the alternative flight is delayed, you might still get some compensation.
Check out the following table 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 might not have to compensate you if they can provide a transfer to your destination, close to the original schedule. Even with a slight delay, you might not be eligible for flight cancellation compensation.
How to Claim Compensation from Air Caraïbes
It’s essential to know how to request the compensation you deserve under EU Regulation 261/2004. Here’s the process:
- Complete our 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 understand the EU laws thoroughly and will make every effort to get you 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. No matter 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 qualify for compensation.
Which Air Caraïbes Flights are Covered by EU261?
The air passenger protection regulations of the European Union are comprehensive in scope. They apply to all flights departing from a European Union member state airport and any flight coming into 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 laws also cover airlines from Switzerland, Iceland, and Norway. This means if you’re flying 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 ensure you’re not left on your own when your trip arrangements fall through.
When You Are Not Entitled to Compensation
Air Caraïbes isn’t necessarily responsible when flights are delayed or cancelled. Sometimes, things happen that the airline can’t control, like extreme weather or unforeseen issues.
For example, if there’s unexpected severe weather, an emergency at the airport, or a strike by air traffic controllers, Air Caraïbes cannot be held accountable. These are called “extraordinary circumstances” that the airline can’t do anything about.
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.