Handling flight issues can be very annoying. However, the good news is that the European Union has regulations to help travelers when things don’t go as planned. If you’re traveling by air in the EU, it’s wise to know about these regulations. They can help you out if your flight gets messed up.
Being aware of your options can make dealing with travel complications a lot simpler. While it won’t speed up your journey, it can make you more relaxed when things get disrupted.
Passenger Rights under EU Regulation 261/2004
If your flight has problems in the European Union, you’ll get support. EU laws ensure airlines take care of 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 receive:
- A refund
- A different flight option
- Compensation to make up for the inconvenience
Don’t forget to ask airline staff about these entitlements if your plans change. They must inform you about your rights when there’s a significant delay or cancellation.
Air Tahiti Nui Flight Delay Compensation
Delays with flights from Air Tahiti Nui can be very frustrating. However there’s some good news: if you’re stranded 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 in your favor. You could get up to €600 per person. What counts is when you reach your destination, not when you take off. So keep an eye on your arrival time if you want to seek flight delay compensation.
The amount you receive depends on the length of your journey. A brief trip won’t yield as much as a long one, even if they’re both delayed the same amount of time.
Want to know exactly how much you could get? Check out 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 Tahiti Nui Flight Cancellation Compensation
The EU has laws to help you if your flight gets cancelled. Here’s what you need to know:
If your flight gets cancelled less than two weeks before your scheduled departure, you could be eligible for compensation up to €600. But keep in mind – the airline doesn’t have to pay if they rebook you on a different flight that aligns closely with your original schedule.
The carrier can bypass compensation if they arrange a replacement 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 agree to take an alternative flight from the airline, you’re still eligible for compensation. The key factor is your arrival time at your destination.
The amount you could receive is determined by two things:
- How far you’re flying
- How late you arrive
Therefore, even if the alternative flight is delayed, you may still receive some compensation.
Look at 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 if you’re just a little late, you might not be eligible for flight cancellation compensation.
How to Claim Compensation from Air Tahiti Nui
It’s essential to understand the process of claiming 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 the issue you encountered.
- Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will take over. We understand the EU laws comprehensively and will make every effort to obtain your rightful compensation. You only incur a fee 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 as a result of operational reasons or technical difficulties, if it was not caused by extraordinary circumstances like severe weather or air traffic control decisions, you qualify for compensation.
Which Air Tahiti Nui Flights are Covered by EU261?
The air passenger protection regulations of the European Union are far-reaching. They cover any flight taking off from an airport within an EU country and every flight landing at 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 include airlines from Switzerland, Iceland, and Norway. This means if you’re traveling with any airline within, to, or from Europe, you likely have these rights. It’s helpful to be aware of these laws – they’re there to support you if issues arise with your flight. They ensure you’re not left on your own when your trip arrangements don’t work out.
When You Are Not Entitled to Compensation
Air Tahiti Nui isn’t necessarily at fault when flights are delayed or cancelled. Sometimes, things happen that the airline has no control over, like severe weather conditions or unforeseen issues.
For example, if there’s a sudden storm, an airport emergency, or a strike by air traffic controllers, Air Tahiti Nui is not liable. These are called “extraordinary circumstances” that the airline is unable to prevent.
When these things happen, you probably won’t get any compensation. The airline isn’t seen as doing anything wrong when these unexpected issues come up.