Coping with flight disruptions can be quite upsetting. However, the bright side is that the European Union has laws to assist travelers when things go wrong. If you’re flying in the EU, it’s wise to know about these protections. They can help you out if your flight is disrupted.
Knowing what you’re entitled to can make handling travel complications less stressful. While it won’t make your flight go any faster, it can make you more relaxed when things get disrupted.
Passenger Rights under EU Regulation 261/2004
If your flight encounters issues in the EU, you’ll get help. EU laws make sure airlines look after their passengers when things go wrong.
When flights are delayed or cancelled, airlines must provide you:
- Refreshments and snacks
- Accommodation if you’re stranded overnight
- Transportation to and from the hotel
- Two free phone calls, emails, or faxes
If you’re delayed for a long time or your flight is cancelled, you might also receive:
- A refund
- A different flight option
- Compensation to make up for the trouble
Don’t forget to inquire with airline representatives about these entitlements if your plans change. They have to tell you about your rights when there’s a significant delay or cancellation.
Austrian Airlines Flight Delay Compensation
Travel setbacks from Austrian Airlines can be very frustrating. However there’s a bright side: if you’re delayed for more than three hours owing to the airline’s fault, you might be able to get some compensation.
Regulations in the UK and EU are in your favor. You could be eligible for up to €600 per person. What is important is when you land, not when you take off. So keep an eye on your arrival time if you want to seek flight delay compensation.
Your compensation depends on how far you’re flying. A short flight won’t get you as much money as a long one, even if they’re both delayed the same amount of time.
Curious about exactly how much you could get? Check out the table below to see what compensation you could receive:
| 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 |
Austrian Airlines Flight Cancellation Compensation
Europe has regulations to protect you in case of flight cancellation. Here’s what you need to know:
If your flight gets cancelled within two weeks of your scheduled departure, you could be eligible for compensation of 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 carrier can bypass compensation 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 an alternative flight from the airline, you can still receive compensation. The key factor is when you reach your final destination.
The amount you could receive depends on two factors:
- The distance of your flight
- The time difference between the scheduled and actual arrival
As a result, even if the alternative flight is delayed, you may still receive some compensation.
Look at the following table to see more details:
| 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 be required to compensate you if they can provide transportation to your destination, close to the original schedule. Even with a slight delay, you might not be entitled to flight cancellation compensation.
How to Claim Compensation from Austrian Airlines
It’s crucial to understand how to request the compensation you’re entitled to 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 the problem you faced.
- Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will manage the process. We understand the EU laws comprehensively and will strive to get you your compensation. You only incur a fee if we win your case.
Keep in mind that it is your right as a passenger to claim compensation for a delayed or cancelled flight. No matter whether your flight was delayed as a result of operational reasons or technical difficulties, if it was not caused by extraordinary circumstances such as inclement weather or air traffic control decisions, you are entitled to compensation.
Which Austrian Airlines Flights are Covered by EU261?
The European Union’s laws for protecting air passengers are comprehensive in scope. They apply to any flight taking off from a European Union member state airport and every flight landing at an airport within an EU country if the flight is operated by an EU airline.
| Itinerary | Covered by EU 261 |
| Flights departing EU airports | ✅ Covered |
| Flights arriving at EU airports | ✅ Covered |
These laws also include 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 good to understand these laws – they’re in place to support you if problems occur with your flight. They make sure you’re not stranded when your trip arrangements fall through.
When You Are Not Entitled to Compensation
Austrian Airlines isn’t always at fault when flights are delayed or cancelled. At times, events occur that the airline can’t control, like severe weather conditions or unforeseen issues.
For example, if there’s unexpected severe weather, an emergency at the airport, or a strike by air traffic controllers, Austrian Airlines cannot be held accountable. These are called “extraordinary circumstances” that the airline is unable to prevent.
When these events take place, you likely won’t get any compensation. The airline isn’t viewed as doing anything wrong when these unexpected issues come up.