Passengers of Air New Zealand who have faced a flight delay or cancellation are legally entitled to compensation. Under EU 261/2004, airlines must compensate passengers if there’s a significant disruption. In this article, we’ll examine your rights and the steps you should follow to obtain the compensation you deserve 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 case of flight cancellation or delay. Air New Zealand Compensation for Flight Delay According to UK and EU laws, passengers can receive up to €600 in compensation per person if their flight is delayed. It’s essential to note, that this delay compensation depends on the flight’s landing time, not the departure time, so the key to your claim relies on the actual time you land at your destination airport. Let’s take a look at how much compensation you could be eligible for if your flight is delayed. The amount of compensation varies based on various criteria, such as the duration of the delay and the distance of your flight: Less than 3 hoursBetween 3-4 hoursFour hours +Distance0€250€250All flights up to 1500 km0€400€400All flights between 1500 km and 3500 km0€400€400All intra-EU flights over 3500 km0€300€600All non-EU flights over 3500 km Keep in mind you may not always receive compensation for every flight delay. Air New Zealand isn’t required to pay compensation when extraordinary circumstances outside their control happen. This includes severe weather conditions, airport issues, or air traffic controller strikes. In such situations, you will usually not be compensated as it is not the airline’s fault. Air New Zealand Compensation for Flight Cancellation EU 261 states that airlines have to inform passengers of flight cancellations at least 14 days before the scheduled flight. If the airline doesn’t provide timely notification, you could qualify for compensation of between €250 and €600 per passenger, according to the distance of the flight. However, if the airline provides you with an alternate flight, it could potentially avoid paying compensation for the cancelled flight if the following conditions are met: Advance NoticeRe-routing Requirements14 DaysNone7 – 13 DaysAlternative flight departing no more than 2 hours before and arriving less than 4 hours after the original flightLess than 7 DaysAlternative flight departing no more than 1 hour before and arriving less than 2 hours after the original flight Even when accepting an alternative flight, passengers retain their claim for 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 provided below: Under 2 hours2-3 hours3-4 hoursOver 4 hoursNever arrivedDistance€125€250€250€250€250All flights 1,500 km or less€200€200€400€400€400Internal EU flights over 1,500 km€200€200€400€400€400Non-internal EU flights 1,500 km- 3,500 km€300€300€300€600€600Non-internal EU flights over 3,500 km Air New Zealand doesn’t have to compensate you if they provide an alternative flight that departs and arrives near the same time as your original flight. Moreover, you usually 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 261 covers all flights departing from European Union airports. It also covers flights arriving in the EU if the airline is based in the EU. This includes airlines from European Union member states as well as Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland. However, Air New Zealand isn’t a European airline. Consequently, they don’t have 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. ItineraryCovered by EU 261Flights departing from EU airports✔️ YesFlights 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 essential to understand that you might be entitled to compensation under EU regulations. That’s why it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the process of claiming compensation. Here’s what you need to do: Fill in this form. You’ll need to provide details like your flight number, date, and the issue you encountered. Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will manage the process. 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. These steps will help you file your claim quickly and improve your chances of getting the compensation you’re owed. There may be plenty of time after your flight to make a claim, but it’s best to do 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 interruptions by providing services that complement flight compensation. Right to Care When flight disruptions happen, Air New Zealand is committed to ensuring passenger comfort through the Right to Care provision. The right, established under EU Regulation 261/2004, 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 accommodation. This includes transportation to and from 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 airline staff at the airport for instant assistance. Rebooking and Refunds When Air New Zealand cancels a flight, passengers can choose to get a full refund or rebook on a different flight. This flexibility is essential for minimizing travel disruptions and supporting passengers to handle unforeseen circumstances efficiently. Full Refund: if you request a refund, you can get 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 trip, Air New Zealand will 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 necessary. Additionally, 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 essential to keep in mind some additional considerations. If you’re rebooked on a lower class than originally booked, you’re eligible for a partial refund of the cost difference. Furthermore, if your booking involves connecting flights, Air New Zealand will assist in rebooking your entire journey, not just the cancelled segment. Whether choosing a refund or arranging a new flight, the procedures are designed to make this process as smooth as possible, understanding the stress and inconvenience caused by cancellations.