Air New Zealand Compensation for Flight Delays and Cancellations

Passengers of Air New Zealand who have experienced a delayed or cancelled flight are legally entitled to compensation. Under EU Regulation 261/2004, an airline is obliged to compensate passengers when there is a significant disruption. Here, we’ll examine your rights and the actions you should follow to get the compensation you are entitled to from the airline.

Air New Zealand Flight Delay or Cancellation Compensation

Before claiming the Air New Zealand compensation, you should be aware of the conditions and the amount of compensation you may expect to get in the event of delay or flight cancellation.

Air New Zealand Compensation for Flight Delay

In line with UK and EU laws, passengers are eligible for up to €600 in compensation per person if their flight experiences a delay. It’s essential to note that this flight delay compensation depends on the flight’s arrival time, not the departure time, so the key to your claim hinges on the actual time you reach your destination airport.

Let’s take a look at how much compensation you may receive if your flight is delayed. The amount of compensation is determined by various criteria, such as the duration of the delay and the route length of your flight:

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

Keep in mind you might not receive compensation for every flight delay. Air New Zealand isn’t required to compensate passengers when extraordinary circumstances they cannot control occur. This includes severe weather conditions, airport issues, or air traffic controller strikes. In such situations, you will generally not be compensated as it is not the airline’s fault.

Air New Zealand Compensation for Flight Cancellation

EU 261 states that airlines are required to inform passengers of cancellations at least 14 days before the scheduled flight. If the airline doesn’t provide timely notification, you could qualify for flight cancellation compensation ranging from €250 to €600 per passenger, depending on the distance of the flight. Nonetheless, if the airline provides you with an alternate flight, it could potentially avoid compensation for the cancelled flight if the following conditions are met:

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

Even when accepting another flight, passengers retain their entitlement to compensation if they still experience significant delays at their final destination. The compensation amount is calculated according to two criteria: the distance of the flight and the duration of the delay, according to the table below:

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

Air New Zealand is not obliged to compensate you if they provide an alternative flight that departs and arrives around the same time as your original flight. Moreover, you generally won’t receive compensation if the flight is cancelled due to circumstances beyond the airline’s control, such as adverse weather conditions or when airline workers go on strike.

Are Air New Zealand Flights Covered By EU 261/2004?

EU Regulation 261 applies to all flights departing from airports in the EU. It also applies to flights arriving in the EU if the airline originates in the EU. This includes airlines from EU countries as well as Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.

Nevertheless, Air New Zealand isn’t a European airline. Consequently, they aren’t required to pay you compensation if their flights operate outside of Europe. This applies even to their flights to Europe if they start outside the EU.

Itinerary	Covered by EU 261
Flights departing from EU airports	✔️ Yes
Flights arriving at EU airports	❌ No

How to Claim Compensation from Air New Zealand

If your travel plans have been affected by a flight delay or cancellation with Air New Zealand, it’s crucial to understand that you might be entitled to compensation under EU regulations. This is why it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the process of claiming compensation. Here’s what you need to do:

• Fill in our form. You’ll need to provide details like 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 know the EU laws thoroughly and will make every effort to obtain your rightful compensation. You only pay us if we win your case.

These steps will assist you in filing your claim quickly and improve your chances of obtaining the compensation you’re owed. You may have plenty of time after your flight to make a claim, but it’s best to file it as soon as you can while you still remember all the details.

What You Can Get Besides EU Flight Compensation

Air New Zealand goes the additional mile to support passengers during travel disruptions by providing services that complement flight compensation.

Right to Care

When flight disruptions occur, Air New Zealand is committed to ensuring passenger comfort through the Right to Care provision. This right, established under EU 261, kicks in when flight delays exceed two hours. The services provided include:

• Food and Drinks: Passengers are provided with meals and beverages appropriate to the length of delay. This may include vouchers for airport restaurants or direct distribution of snacks and drinks.
• Communication: Air New Zealand offers two free phone calls, emails, or fax messages to keep passengers connected with family or business contacts.
• Accommodation: If the delay extends for the night or requires an additional stay, Air New Zealand arranges hotel room accommodation. This includes transportation between the airport and the hotel.
• Special Assistance: Extra care is given to passengers with reduced mobility or special needs.

To access these services, you can simply approach airport staff at the airport for immediate assistance.

Rebooking and Refunds

When Air New Zealand cancels a flight, passengers can choose to receive a full refund or rebook on another flight. This option is crucial for minimizing travel inconveniences and supporting passengers to handle unforeseen circumstances successfully.

• Full Refund: if you request a refund, you can receive full reimbursement for the parts of your trip that you didn’t use, including any tickets you only partly used. Also, if the cancellation means your trip no longer serves its original purpose, you may get a flight back to where you first started at the earliest chance.
• Rebooking: if you choose to continue your journey, Air New Zealand shall provide rebooking on the next available flight to your destination. You also have the option to select an alternative route if there are seats available. If the next available flight is scheduled for the following day or later, Air New Zealand shall arrange accommodation and transfers as needed. Furthermore, you have the right to be rebooked, even in a higher class, at no additional cost to you if that’s the only available option.

It’s crucial to keep in mind some additional considerations. If you’re rebooked on a lower class than originally booked, you’re entitled to a partial refund of the cost difference. Additionally, if your booking includes connecting flights, Air New Zealand will assist in rebooking your entire journey, not just the cancelled segment.

Whether opting for a refund or arranging a new flight, the procedures are designed to ensure this process as easy as possible, understanding the stress and inconvenience caused by cancellations.

Recent Flight Delays and Cancellations