Atlas Air Compensation for Flight Delays and Cancellations

Yurii Semikopenko
08.08.2024

Passengers of Atlas Air who have faced a flight delay or cancellation are legally entitled to compensation. According to EU 261/2004, an airline is obliged to compensate passengers if there’s a significant disruption. In this article, we’ll examine your rights and the steps you need to take to receive the compensation you are entitled to from the airline.

Atlas Air Flight Delay or Cancellation Compensation

Before claiming the Atlas Air compensation, you should be aware of the conditions and the amount of compensation you may expect to get in the event of flight cancellation or delay.

Atlas Air Compensation for Flight Delay

In line with UK and EU laws, passengers are eligible for up to €600 in compensation per person if their flight is delayed. It’s crucial to note, that this delay compensation is based on the flight’s landing 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 hoursBetween 3-4 hoursFour hours +Distance
0€250€250All flights up to 1500 km
0€400€400All flights between 1500 km and 3500 km
0€400€400All intra-EU flights over 3500 km
0€300€600All non-EU flights over 3500 km

Keep in mind you may not receive compensation for every flight delay. Atlas Air is not obliged to pay compensation when extraordinary circumstances they cannot control occur. This includes severe weather conditions, problems at the airport, 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.

Atlas Air Compensation for Flight Cancellation

European Union Regulation 261/2004 states that airlines have to inform passengers of cancellations at least 14 days before the scheduled flight. If the airline fails to notify you in time, you may be entitled to compensation of €250-600 per passenger, based on the distance of the flight. Nevertheless, 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 NoticeRe-routing Requirements
14 DaysNone
7 – 13 DaysAlternative flight departing no more than 2 hours before and arriving less than 4 hours after the original flight
Less than 7 DaysAlternative 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 claim for compensation if they still experience significant delays at their final destination. The compensation amount is determined based on two factors: the distance of the flight and the duration of the delay, in line with 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

Atlas Air doesn’t have to compensate you if they offer an alternative flight that departs and arrives close to the same time as your original flight. Additionally, you usually 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 Atlas Air 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 EU countries as well as Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.

Nevertheless, Atlas Air isn’t a European airline. Consequently, they don’t have to pay you compensation if their flights operate outside of Europe. This is true even for their flights to Europe if they start outside the EU.

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

How to Claim Compensation from Atlas Air

If your travel plans have been affected by a flight cancellation or delay with Atlas Air, it’s essential to be aware that you might be entitled to compensation under EU laws. For this reason, it’s crucial 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 handle the rest. We know the EU laws comprehensively and will strive to obtain your rightful compensation. You only pay us if we win your case.

These steps will help you file your claim quickly and increase your chances of getting the compensation you’re entitled to. You might have plenty of time after your flight to make 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

Atlas Air goes the additional mile to support passengers during travel disruptions by offering services that complement flight compensation.

Right to Care

When flight disruptions happen, Atlas Air is committed to ensuring passenger comfort through the Right to Care provision. The right, established under EU Regulation 261/2004, kicks in when flight delays exceed two hours. The services provided include:

  • Food and Drinks: Passengers are provided with food and drinks appropriate to the length of delay. This may include vouchers for airport restaurants or direct distribution of snacks and drinks.
  • Communication: Atlas Air 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, Atlas Air arranges hotel room 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 airport staff at the airport for instant assistance.

Rebooking and Refunds

When Atlas Air cancels a flight, passengers have the option to receive a full refund or rebook on an alternative flight. This option is essential for minimizing travel interruptions 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, Atlas Air 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, Atlas Air 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 crucial 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. Furthermore, if your booking includes connecting flights, Atlas Air will assist in rebooking your entire journey, not just the cancelled segment.

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

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