American Airlines Compensation for Flight Delays and Cancellations

Passengers of American Airlines 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 will look at your rights and the steps you need to take to get the compensation you have a right to from the airline.

American Airlines Flight Delay or Cancellation Compensation

Before claiming the American Airlines 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.

American Airlines Compensation for Flight Delay

According to UK and EU laws, passengers are eligible for up to €600 in compensation per person if their flight is delayed. 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 is the actual time you arrive at your destination airport.

Here’s an overview of how much compensation you may receive if your flight is delayed. The amount of compensation is determined by several factors, including the duration of the delay and the distance 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

Be aware you may not be compensated for every flight delay. American Airlines is not obliged to pay compensation when extraordinary circumstances outside their control happen. This includes bad weather, airport issues, or a strike by air traffic controllers. In these cases, you will usually not be given compensation as it is not the airline’s fault.

American Airlines Compensation for Flight Cancellation

EU Regulation 261/2004 states that airlines are required to notify passengers of cancellations at least 14 days before departure. If the airline fails to notify you in time, you may be entitled to flight cancellation compensation ranging from €250 to €600 per passenger, based on the flight distance. However, if the airline provides you with an alternate flight, it may 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 a different flight, passengers retain their entitlement to compensation if they still experience significant delays at their final destination. The amount of compensation is calculated based on two criteria: the flight distance and the duration of the delay, in line with the table provided 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

American Airlines is not obliged to compensate you if they provide an alternative flight that departs and arrives near the same time as your original flight. Also, you usually won’t receive compensation if the flight is cancelled due to circumstances beyond the airline’s control, such as bad weather or when airline staff goes on strike.

Are American Airlines Flights Covered By EU 261/2004?

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

Nevertheless, American Airlines is not a European airline. Therefore, 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.

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

How to Claim Compensation from American Airlines

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

• Complete this 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 manage the process. We know the EU laws well and will make every effort to secure your compensation. You only pay us if we win your case.

These steps will assist you in filing your claim quickly and increase your chances of getting the compensation you’re entitled to. There may be plenty of time after your flight to submit 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

American Airlines goes the extra mile to support passengers during travel interruptions by offering services that complement flight compensation.

Right to Care

When flight disruptions happen, American Airlines is committed to ensuring passenger comfort through the Right to Care provision. The right, established under EU Regulation 261/2004, becomes applicable 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: American Airlines 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, American Airlines arranges hotel accommodation. This also 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 American Airlines cancels a flight, passengers can choose to receive a full refund or rebook on another flight. This flexibility is crucial for minimizing travel interruptions and helping 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 trip, American Airlines shall provide rebooking on the next available flight to your destination. You also have the option to choose an alternative route if there are seats available. If the next available flight is scheduled for the following day or later, American Airlines will 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 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. Additionally, if your booking includes connecting flights, American Airlines will assist in rebooking your entire journey, not only the cancelled segment.

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

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