Whenever flights are delayed or cancelled, it can be frustrating and inconvenient for passengers. However, the European Union has a regulation 261 that helps protect passengers in such situations. Under EU261, if your flight is delayed or cancelled, the airline has to provide you with compensation and assistance.
Passenger Rights Under EU 261/2004
The EU 261 is the regulation that deals with air passengers’ rights. More precisely, this regulation covers diverse cases, such as rebooking, delays, flight cancellations, etc., and requires airlines to resolve individual cases with care and fairness. If the incident happens due to the airline’s fault, any passenger who underwent certain inconveniences has a right to receive compensation. Moreover, passengers may be entitled to certain benefits, which we will discuss further in the article.
Right to Compensation
EU Regulation 261 includes rules regarding the process of compensation, including assistance to travelers experiencing issues with flights. Specifically, the amount of compensation you can potentially get is up to 600 euros per passenger. This sum varies, depending on your circumstances.
Compensation for Bamboo Airways Flight Cancellation
First and foremost, travelers should be aware that the airline must inform them about the flight cancellation. If the airline notifies you under fourteen days before the date of your flight and does not offer any alternative flight, the airline, according to the EU 261, 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 original flight was supposed to, the passenger might be eligible for compensation. The table below shows the airline’s obligations based on the duration of the delay:
| 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 |
Compensation for Bamboo Airways Flight Delay
When a flight is delayed for 3+ hours, the airline is obligated to pay compensation. If the flight is delayed for five or more hours, the passenger may receive a ticket refund or an alternative flight to the final destination.
Furthermore, in such situations, the airline is also required to provide a passenger with beverages, some food, and accommodation. See key information on compensation in the table below:
| 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 |
Right to Care
Right to Care relates to a specific aspect of European Union Regulation 261/2004, which sets out regulations on compensation and assistance for travelers in cases of flight cancellations, long delays, or denied boarding.
The “Right to Care” under EU261 requires airlines to provide certain assistance and services to passengers experiencing significant delays or cancellations. These include:
- Food and drinks appropriate to the waiting time
- Hotel accommodation if an overnight stay becomes necessary
- Transport between the airport and the hotel
- Two free phone calls, emails, or faxes
Upgrading and Downgrading
When a passenger gets an alternative flight, it is helpful to be aware of upgrading and downgrading the flight’s class.
In situations, when the airline provides you with an upgraded class (for instance, you booked Economy but were upgraded to Business class), you won’t have to pay extra for this upgrade.
Regarding downgrading in class (in case you booked a Business class flight, but were downgraded to Economy), you have a right to receive reimbursement. Here, it’s important to note that the amount of compensation fully depends 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.
Consider that these rights cover all flights within the European Union, as well as flights departing from or arriving in the European Union operated by airlines based in the EU.
When Are You Not Entitled to Compensation?
Unfortunately, there are cases, when passengers will not receive compensation for delayed or cancelled flights. Specifically, we refer to extraordinary circumstances that are outside of 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).
Furthermore, if the airline potentially could have done something to prevent issues regarding the flight and failed to handle the situation, you might be entitled to compensation.
Which Flights are Covered by EU 261/2004?
European Union Regulation 261 covers all flights departing from airports in the EU. It also covers flights arriving in the EU if the airline originates in the EU. This includes airlines from EU countries as well as Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.
However, Bamboo Airways isn’t a European airline. Therefore, they don’t have to pay compensation if their flights operate outside of the European Union. This is true even for their flights to the European Union if they start outside the EU.
| Itinerary | Covered by EU 261 |
| Flights departing from the EU airports | ✔️ Yes |
| Flights arriving at the EU airports | ❌ No |
How to Claim Bamboo Airways Compensation
Flight cancellation or delay is an unpleasant situation that can not only upset you but also ruin all your travel plans. Passengers who unfortunately encounter a flight delay or cancellation should know exactly how to seek compensation. To apply for compensation, follow these steps:
- Complete our form. You’ll need to provide details including 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 are well-versed in the EU laws thoroughly and will strive to obtain your rightful compensation. You are only charged if we win your case.