Coping with flight disruptions can be quite upsetting. However, the bright side is that the European Union has regulations to support travelers when things don’t go as planned. If you’re flying in the EU, it’s wise to know about these regulations. They can be useful if your flight goes off course. Being aware of your options can make handling travel issues much easier. While it won’t get you to your destination quicker, it can reduce your anxiety 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 assistance available in the case of a flight disruption. EU laws guarantee airlines take care of their passengers when things go wrong. When flights are delayed or cancelled, airlines must offer 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 get: A refund A different flight option Compensation to make up for the inconvenience Remember to ask airline representatives about these entitlements if your plans change. They must tell you about your rights when there’s a significant delay or cancellation. Alitalia Flight Delay Compensation Travel setbacks from Alitalia can be really annoying. However there’s a silver lining: 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 in your favor. You could get up to €600 per person. What counts is when you land, not when you depart. So pay attention to your arrival time if you want to seek compensation. The amount you receive depends on your flight distance. A short flight won’t yield as much as a longer flight, even if they’re both delayed equally. Curious about exactly how much you could get? Check out the table below to see how much money you might get: 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 Alitalia Flight Cancellation Compensation The European Union has regulations to help you in case of flight cancellation. Here’s what you should know: If your flight gets cancelled less than two weeks before your planned travel date, you may be entitled to compensation of up to €600. But keep in mind – the airline can avoid paying if they can get you on another flight that aligns closely with your original schedule. The airline can avoid paying you if they arrange a replacement flight that meets the following conditions: 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 If you agree to take another flight from the airline, you’re still eligible for compensation. What matters most is your arrival time at your destination. How much money you might get is based on two factors: The distance of your flight The time difference between the scheduled and actual arrival So, even if the new flight doesn’t get there on time, you could still be eligible for compensation. Refer to the table below for more information: 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 The airline might not be required to compensate you if they can provide a transfer to your destination, close to the original schedule. Even if you arrive shortly after the scheduled time, you might not get any compensation. How to Claim Compensation from Alitalia It’s essential to be aware of how to request the compensation you’re entitled to under EU Regulation 261/2004. Here’s what you need to do: Complete this form. You’ll need to provide details such as your flight number, date, and the problem you faced. Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will take over. We are well-versed in the EU laws thoroughly and will strive to secure your compensation. You are only charged if we win your case. Keep in mind that you’re entitled as a passenger to claim compensation for a cancelled or delayed flight. Regardless of whether your flight was delayed as a result of operational reasons or technical issues, if it was not caused by extraordinary circumstances like inclement weather or air traffic control decisions, you qualify for compensation. Which Alitalia Flights are Covered by EU261? The EU’s air passenger protection laws are far-reaching. They cover any flight taking off from a European Union member state airport and any flight coming into an airport within an EU country if the flight is operated by an EU airline. ItineraryCovered by EU 261Flights departing EU airports✅ CoveredFlights arriving at EU airports✅ Covered These laws also include airlines from Norway, Switzerland, and Iceland. This means if you’re traveling with any airline to, within, or from Europe, you likely have these rights. It’s good to understand these laws – they’re in place to help you if problems occur with your flight. They ensure you’re not abandoned when your travel plans don’t work out. When You Are Not Entitled to Compensation Alitalia isn’t always responsible when flights are delayed or cancelled. Sometimes, events occur that the airline has no control over, like really bad weather or unforeseen issues. For instance, if there’s an abrupt major weather event, an airport emergency, or a strike by air traffic controllers, Alitalia is not liable. These are called “extraordinary circumstances” that the airline has no control over. When these situations occur, you likely won’t get any compensation. The airline isn’t seen as doing anything wrong when these unforeseen difficulties arise.