Passengers of Airblue who have faced a flight cancellation or delay are legally entitled to compensation. According to EU Regulation 261/2004, airlines must compensate passengers when there is a significant disruption. Here, we’ll examine your rights and the steps you need to take to receive the compensation you are entitled to from the airline.
Airblue Flight Delay or Cancellation Compensation
Before claiming the Airblue 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.
Airblue Compensation for Flight Delay
According to UK and EU laws, passengers can receive up to €600 in compensation per person if their flight arrives late. It’s crucial to note that this flight delay compensation depends on the flight’s arrival time, not the departure time, so the key to your claim relies on the actual time you reach your final destination.
Here’s an overview of how much compensation you can get if your flight is delayed. The amount of compensation depends on 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 may not be compensated for every flight delay. Airblue isn’t required to pay compensation when extraordinary circumstances they cannot control arise. This includes severe weather conditions, problems at the airport, or air traffic controller strikes. In these instances, you will usually not be compensated as it is not the airline’s fault.
Airblue Compensation for Flight Cancellation
EU 261 states that airlines must inform passengers of cancellations at least 14 days before the scheduled flight. If the airline fails to notify you in time, you might be eligible for flight cancellation compensation ranging from €250 to €600 per passenger, according to the flight distance. Nonetheless, 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 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 |
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 based on two factors: the flight distance 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 |
Airblue is not obliged to compensate you if they offer an alternative flight that departs and arrives close to the same time as your original flight. Additionally, 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 Airblue Flights Covered By EU 261/2004?
EU Regulation 261 covers all flights departing from EU 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.
Nevertheless, Airblue is not a European airline. Therefore, they are not obliged 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 Airblue
If your travel plans have been affected by a flight cancellation or delay with Airblue, it’s crucial to understand that you might be entitled to compensation under EU regulations. For this reason, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the process of claiming compensation. Here’s what you need to do:
- Complete our form. You’ll need to provide details such as your flight number, date, and what went wrong.
- Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will take over. We know the EU laws comprehensively and will make every effort to secure your compensation. You only incur a fee if we win your case.
These steps will help you file your claim quickly and increase your chances of obtaining the compensation you’re entitled to. There may be plenty of time after your flight to submit a claim, but it’s best to complete it as soon as you can while you still remember all the details.
What You Can Get Besides EU Flight Compensation
Airblue goes the extra mile to help passengers during travel interruptions by offering services that complement flight compensation.
Right to Care
When flight disruptions happen, Airblue is committed to ensuring passenger comfort through the Right to Care provision. The right, established under EU 261, becomes applicable when flight delays exceed two hours. The services provided include:
- Meals and Refreshments: 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: Airblue 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, Airblue provides hotel accommodation. This covers 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 airline staff at the airport for immediate assistance.
Rebooking and Refunds
When Airblue cancels a flight, passengers can choose to receive a full refund or rebook on an alternative flight. This flexibility is essential for minimizing travel interruptions and assisting passengers to handle unforeseen circumstances successfully.
- 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, Airblue 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, Airblue shall arrange accommodation and transfers as necessary. Furthermore, you have the right to be rebooked, including in a higher class, at no additional cost to you if that’s the only available option.
It’s important 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, Airblue shall help in rebooking your entire journey, not only the cancelled segment.
Whether choosing 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.