Dealing with flight disruptions can be very annoying. However, the bright side is that the European Union has regulations to help travelers when things don’t go as planned. If you’re flying in the EU, it’s wise to know about these regulations. They can help you out if your flight gets messed up. Understanding your rights can make dealing with travel complications less stressful. While it won’t make your flight go any faster, it can make you more relaxed when things don’t go as planned. Passenger Rights under EU Regulation 261/2004 If your flight has problems in the EU, you’ll get aid. EU laws ensure airlines take care of their passengers when things go wrong. When flights are delayed or cancelled, airlines must offer 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 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 ask airline staff about these things if your plans change. They must tell you about your rights when there’s a significant delay or cancellation. Azores Airlines Flight Delay Compensation Delays with flights from Azores Airlines can be very frustrating. However there’s some good news: if you’re stranded 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 get up to €600 per person. What is important is when you land, not when you take off. So pay attention to your arrival time if you want to seek compensation. Your compensation depends on the length of your journey. A short flight won’t yield as much as a longer flight, even if they’re both delayed for the same duration. Want to know exactly how much you could get? Check out the table below to see how much money you might get: Less than 3 hoursBetween 3-4 hoursFour hours +Distance0€250€250All flights up to 1500 km0€400€400All flights between 1500 km and 3500 km0€400€400All intra-EU flights over 3500 km0€300€600All non-EU flights over 3500 km Azores Airlines Flight Cancellation Compensation The EU has regulations to protect you if your flight is cancelled. Here’s the important information: If your flight is cancelled within two weeks of your scheduled departure, you could be eligible for compensation as much as €600. But keep in mind – the airline doesn’t have to pay if they rebook you on a different flight that doesn’t significantly disrupt your travel. The airline may not need to compensate you if they provide an alternative flight that meets the following conditions: Advance NoticeRe-routing Requirements14 DaysNone7 – 13 DaysAlternative flight departing no more than 2 hours before and arriving less than 4 hours after the original flightLess than 7 DaysAlternative 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 can still receive compensation. The key factor is when you reach your final destination. Your potential compensation depends on two things: The distance of your flight How late you arrive So, even if you arrive later than planned, you could still be eligible for compensation. Refer to the table below to see more details: 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 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’re just a little late, you may not receive any compensation. How to Claim Compensation from Azores Airlines It’s important to know the process of claiming the compensation you deserve under EU Regulation 261/2004. Here’s what you need to do: Fill in this 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 manage the process. We know the EU laws well and will make every effort to secure your compensation. You are only charged if we win your case. Don’t forget that you’re entitled as a passenger to claim compensation for a cancelled or delayed flight. Regardless of whether your flight was delayed as a result of operational issues or technical issues, if it was not caused by extraordinary circumstances including severe weather or air traffic control decisions, you qualify for compensation. Which Azores Airlines Flights are Covered by EU261? The air passenger protection regulations of the European Union are comprehensive in scope. They cover any flight taking off from an airport within an EU country and every flight landing at a European Union member state airport if the flight is operated by an EU airline. ItineraryCovered by EU 261Flights departing EU airports✅ CoveredFlights arriving at EU airports✅ Covered These laws also include airlines from Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland. This means when you travel with any airline to, from, or within Europe, you most likely have these rights. It’s helpful to understand these regulations – they’re there to assist you if problems occur with your flight. They guarantee you’re not abandoned when your trip arrangements go awry. When You Are Not Entitled to Compensation Azores Airlines isn’t necessarily responsible when flights are delayed or cancelled. At times, things happen that the airline has no control over, like really bad weather or unexpected problems. For example, if there’s an abrupt major weather event, an emergency at the airport, or air traffic controllers go on strike, Azores Airlines cannot be held accountable. These are called “extraordinary circumstances” that the airline can’t do anything about. When these situations occur, you probably won’t get any compensation. The airline is not considered to be doing anything wrong when these unexpected issues come up.