Whenever flights are cancelled or delayed, it can be annoying and inconvenient for passengers. However, the EU has a regulation 261/2004 that helps protect passengers in these situations. According to EU 261/2004, if your flight is disrupted, the airline has to provide you with compensation and assistance. Passenger Rights Under EU 261/2004 The EU 261 is the law that covers air passengers’ rights. More precisely, this regulation covers diverse cases, including delays, flight cancellations, rebooking, etc., and obligates airlines to handle individual cases with care and fairness. If the situation occurs due to the airline’s fault, any passenger who underwent certain inconveniences has a right to receive compensation. Furthermore, passengers can receive certain benefits, which we will discuss further in the article. Right to Compensation The EU 261 encompasses regulations regarding the process of compensation, including aid for passengers who suffered from flight problems. In particular, the amount of compensation you can be eligible for is up to 600 euros per person. This sum ranges, according to your specific case. Compensation for Azerbaijan Airlines Flight Cancellation First and foremost, passengers need to know that the airline must inform them about the flight cancellation. In case the airline notifies you under fourteen days before your scheduled departure and does not provide any alternative flight, the airline, according to the EU 261 regulation, is obligated to compensate you compensation of 250 – 600 euros. At the same time, if a passenger is provided with an alternative flight but arrives at his destination later than the scheduled arrival time of the original flight, the passenger could be eligible for compensation. The table below shows the airline’s obligations depending on the duration of the delay: 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 Compensation for Azerbaijan Airlines Flight Delay When a flight is delayed for 3+ hours, the airline is required to provide compensation. If the flight is delayed for 5 hours or more, the passenger may receive a ticket refund or an alternative flight to the final destination. Furthermore, in such situations, the airline also must provide a passenger with beverages, some food, and accommodation. See key information about compensation in the table below: Less than 3 hoursBetween 3-4 hoursOver 4 hoursDistance€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 Right to Care Right to Care pertains to a specific aspect of EU Regulation 261/2004, which sets out common rules on compensation and assistance to passengers in the event of long delays, denied boarding, or flight cancellations. The “Right to Care” under EU261/2004 requires airlines to provide certain assistance and services to passengers affected by significant delays or cancellations. These include: Snacks and drinks appropriate for the waiting time Hotel accommodation if an overnight stay becomes necessary Transport between the airport and the place of accommodation Emails or faxes and two free phone calls Upgrading and Downgrading In situations where a passenger gets an alternative flight, it is important to be aware of upgrading and downgrading the flight’s class. In situations, when the airline provides you with an upgraded class (for example, you had Economy but were upgraded to Business class), you will not have to pay extra for this service. Regarding downgrading in class (in case you booked a Business class ticket, but were downgraded to Economy), you have a right to get reimbursement. In this case, it is worth mentioning that the amount of compensation is entirely based on the distance of a flight: 30% of the flight tickets cost for a 1,500 km distance or less; 50% of the flight tickets cost (specifically, for intra-EU flights that are over 1,500 km and all other flights with a 1,500 km and 3,500 km distance; 75% of the ticket price for flights with a 3,500+ km distance. Be aware that these rights apply to any flights inside the European Union, as well as flights departing from or arriving in the European Union by airlines based in the EU. When Are You Not Entitled to Compensation? Unfortunately, there are cases, when passengers won’t get compensation for delayed or cancelled flights. Specifically, we talk about extraordinary circumstances that are beyond the airline’s control. Some of the examples are as follows: Bad weather conditions and natural disasters; Political circumstances (related security risks, terrorist attacks); A collision of the aircraft and foreign objects (birds, for instance); Unruly or very ill passengers; Strikes (that are not caused by the airline’s crew). Moreover, if the airline potentially could have done something to prevent problems with the flight and failed to handle the situation, you can claim compensation. Which Flights are Covered by EU 261/2004? European Union Regulation 261 applies to all flights departing from airports in the EU. 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. However, Azerbaijan Airlines is not a European airline. Consequently, they are not obliged to pay compensation if their flights operate outside of the European Union. This applies even to their flights to the European Union if they start outside the EU. ItineraryCovered by EU 261Flights departing from the EU airports✔️ YesFlights arriving at the EU airports❌ No How to Claim Azerbaijan Airlines Compensation Flight delay or cancellation can be a frustrating experience that can not only upset you but also ruin all your travel plans. Passengers who unfortunately encounter a flight delay or cancellation should be aware of the process to claim compensation. To apply for compensation, follow these steps: Fill in our form. You’ll need to provide details like 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 comprehensively and will strive to get you your compensation. You are only charged if we win your case.