Coping with flight issues can be very annoying. However, the positive thing is that the European Union has regulations to help travelers when things don’t go as planned. If you’re traveling by air in the EU, it’s a good idea to know about these regulations. They can be useful if your flight is disrupted.
Being aware of your options can make handling travel complications a lot simpler. While it won’t get you to your destination quicker, it can make you more relaxed when things get disrupted.
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 offer you:
- Meals and beverages
- A hotel room 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 receive:
- A refund
- An alternative flight
- Compensation to make up for the trouble
Don’t forget to inquire with airline staff about these things if your plans change. They have to tell you about your rights when there’s a significant delay or cancellation.
Azores Airlines Flight Delay Compensation
Flight delays from Azores Airlines can be really annoying. 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 on your side. 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.
The amount you receive depends on the length of your journey. A brief trip won’t get you as much money as a longer flight, 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 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 |
Azores Airlines Flight Cancellation Compensation
The EU has regulations to assist 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 may be entitled to compensation up to €600. However, there’s a condition – the airline doesn’t have to pay if they rebook you on a different flight that doesn’t mess up your plans too much.
The airline may not need to compensate you if they offer you a new 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 choose to board a different flight from the airline, you can still get compensation. The most important thing is when you reach your final destination.
How much money you might get depends on two factors:
- The length of your flight
- The delay in your arrival
So, even if you arrive later than planned, you may still receive some compensation.
Refer to the table below to understand better:
| 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 may not need to compensate you if they can provide transportation 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 Azores Airlines
It’s crucial to know how to claim the compensation you’re eligible for under EU Regulation 261/2004. Here’s the process:
- 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 know the EU laws well and will do our best to get you your compensation. You are only charged if we win your case.
Keep in mind that you’re entitled 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 issues, if it was not caused by extraordinary circumstances such as adverse weather conditions or air traffic control decisions, you have a right to compensation.
Which Azores Airlines Flights are Covered by EU261?
The air passenger protection regulations of the European Union have a wide-ranging scope. They cover every flight leaving an airport within an EU country and to all flights arriving at a European Union member state airport 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 regulations also cover airlines from Norway, Switzerland, and Iceland. This means if you’re traveling with any airline to, within, or from Europe, you most likely have these rights. It’s helpful to understand these laws – they’re in place to support you if issues arise with your flight. They guarantee you’re not stranded when your trip arrangements don’t work out.
When You Are Not Entitled to Compensation
Azores Airlines isn’t always at fault when flights are delayed or cancelled. Occasionally, events occur that the airline has no control over, like really bad weather or unexpected problems.
For instance, if there’s an abrupt major weather event, an airport emergency, or air traffic controllers go on strike, Azores Airlines isn’t responsible. These are called “extraordinary circumstances” that the airline is unable to prevent.
When these things happen, you are unlikely to get any compensation. The airline isn’t seen as doing anything wrong when these unexpected issues arise.