Handling flight issues can be quite upsetting. However, the bright side is that the European Union has regulations to support travelers when things go wrong. If you’re taking a plane in the EU, it’s smart to know about these protections. They can be useful if your flight is disrupted.
Understanding your rights can make dealing with travel problems less stressful. While it won’t speed up your journey, it can make you more relaxed when things go wrong.
Passenger Rights under EU Regulation 261/2004
EU air passengers are protected if their flight experiences difficulties. EU laws ensure airlines take care of their passengers when things go wrong.
When flights are delayed or cancelled, airlines must provide you:
- Meals and beverages
- Accommodation if you’re stranded 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 be entitled to:
- A refund
- An alternative flight
- Compensation to make up for the inconvenience
Don’t forget to inquire with airline staff about these things if your plans change. They must tell you about your rights when there’s a significant delay or cancellation.
Atlantic Airways Flight Delay Compensation
Delays with flights from Atlantic Airways can be very frustrating. However there’s a silver lining: if you’re delayed for more than three hours due 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 depart. So monitor your arrival time if you want to seek flight delay compensation.
Your compensation 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 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 |
Atlantic Airways Flight Cancellation Compensation
Europe has regulations to help you if your flight gets cancelled. Here’s what you need to know:
In the event of a flight cancellation within two weeks of you’re supposed to leave, you may be entitled to compensation up to €600. But keep in mind – the airline can avoid paying if they can get you on another flight that doesn’t mess up your plans too much.
The airline may not need to compensate you if they provide an alternative 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 a different 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 a couple of points:
- The length of your flight
- How late you arrive
As a result, even if the new flight doesn’t get there on time, you could still be eligible for compensation.
Check out 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 arrive shortly after the scheduled time, you might not be entitled to flight cancellation compensation.
How to Claim Compensation from Atlantic Airways
It’s essential to understand how to request the compensation you’re eligible for under EU Regulation 261/2004. Here’s how to do it:
- Fill in 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 understand the EU laws thoroughly and will strive to secure your compensation. You only incur a fee if we win your case.
Don’t forget that you have the right as a passenger to claim compensation for a delayed or cancelled flight. Regardless of whether your flight was delayed due to operational reasons or technical issues, if it was not caused by extraordinary circumstances like severe weather or air traffic control decisions, you are entitled to compensation.
Which Atlantic Airways Flights are Covered by EU261?
The EU’s air passenger protection laws are comprehensive in scope. They apply to any flight taking off from an airport within an EU country and to all flights arriving at an airport within an EU country 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 apply to airlines from Norway, Switzerland, and Iceland. This means if you’re flying with any airline to, within, or from Europe, you most likely have these rights. It’s helpful to know about these regulations – they exist to assist you if something goes wrong with your flight. They make sure you’re not abandoned when your travel plans go awry.
When You Are Not Entitled to Compensation
Atlantic Airways isn’t necessarily responsible when flights are delayed or cancelled. Sometimes, things happen that the airline is powerless against, like really bad weather or unexpected problems.
For example, if there’s an abrupt major weather event, an airport emergency, or an air traffic control strike, Atlantic Airways cannot be held accountable. These are called “extraordinary circumstances” that the airline can’t do anything about.
When these things happen, you likely won’t get any compensation. The airline isn’t seen as doing anything wrong when these unexpected issues arise.