Passengers of American Airlines who have experienced a flight delay or cancellation are legally entitled to compensation. Under EU 261, airlines must compensate passengers if there’s a significant disruption. In this article, we will look at your rights and the actions you need to take to get the compensation you deserve 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 the event of delay or flight cancellation. American Airlines Compensation for Flight Delay According to UK and EU regulations, passengers may be entitled to up to €600 in compensation per person if their flight arrives late. It’s crucial to note, that this delay compensation is calculated using the flight’s landing time, not the departure time, so the key to your claim hinges on the actual time you reach your destination airport. Here’s an overview of how much compensation you may receive if your flight is delayed. The amount of compensation depends on various criteria, including the duration of the delay and the route length 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 Be aware you might not receive compensation for every flight delay. American Airlines isn’t required to pay compensation when extraordinary circumstances they cannot control arise. This includes bad weather, airport issues, or air traffic controller strikes. In such situations, you will generally 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 inform passengers of flight cancellations at least 14 days before departure. If the airline doesn’t provide timely notification, you may be entitled to compensation of between €250 and €600 per passenger, according to the flight distance. However, if the airline provides you with an alternate flight, it could potentially avoid 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 another flight, passengers retain their right to compensation if they still experience significant delays at their final destination. The compensation amount is determined according to two factors: the flight distance and the length of the delay, according to the table 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 American Airlines is not obliged to compensate you if they provide an alternative flight that departs and arrives close to the same time as your original flight. Moreover, 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 American Airlines Flights Covered By EU 261/2004? EU Regulation 261 applies to all flights departing from EU airports. This regulation also extends 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 isn’t 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. ItineraryCovered by EU 261Flights departing from EU airports✔️ YesFlights arriving at EU airports❌ No How to Claim Compensation from American Airlines If your travel plans have been affected by a flight delay or cancellation with American Airlines, it’s crucial to understand that you might be entitled to compensation under EU laws. 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 like your flight number, date, and the problem you faced. Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will handle the rest. We understand the EU laws thoroughly and will make every effort to get you your compensation. You only incur a fee if we win your case. These steps will assist you in filing your claim quickly and improve 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 do 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 help passengers during travel interruptions by providing services that complement flight compensation. Right to Care When flight disruptions occur, American Airlines is committed to ensuring passenger comfort through the Right to Care provision. This 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: 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 provides hotel room accommodation. This also 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 instant assistance. Rebooking and Refunds When American Airlines cancels a flight, passengers can choose to receive a full refund or rebook on another flight. This option is crucial for minimizing travel inconveniences and assisting 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 journey, 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. Additionally, 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 essential to keep in mind some additional considerations. If you’re rebooked on a lower class than originally booked, you’re entitled to a partial refund of the cost difference. Additionally, if your booking involves 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 ensure this process as smooth as possible, understanding the stress and inconvenience caused by cancellations.