Whenever flights are delayed or cancelled, it can be annoying 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 disrupted, the airline has to provide you with compensation and assistance. Passenger Rights Under EU 261/2004 European Union Regulation 261 is the law that deals with the rights of air passengers. Specifically, this regulation covers different situations, such as delays, flight cancellations, rebooking, etc., and requires airlines to handle individual cases with fairness and care. If the situation occurs because of the airline’s fault, any traveler who experienced certain inconveniences is entitled to obtain compensation. Furthermore, passengers may be entitled to certain benefits, which we will discuss further in the article. Right to Compensation EU Regulation 261 contains rules regarding the process of compensation, including aid to travelers experiencing flight problems. In particular, the amount of compensation you can expect to receive is up to 600 euros per passenger. This sum ranges, according to your specific case. Compensation for China Southern Airlines Flight Cancellation First and foremost, passengers need to know that the airline is required to notify 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, is obligated to compensate you compensation of 250 – 600 euros. At the same time, if a passenger is offered an alternative flight but arrives at his destination later than the original flight was supposed to, the passenger may also be eligible for compensation. The table below shows the airline’s obligations depending on the length 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 China Southern Airlines Flight Delay When a flight is delayed for three or more hours, the airline is obligated to provide compensation. If the flight is delayed for five or more hours, the passenger may receive a ticket refund or another 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 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 refers to a specific aspect of European Union Regulation 261/2004, which establishes regulations on assistance and compensation to passengers in cases of denied boarding, flight cancellations, or long delays. The “Right to Care” under EU261/2004 requires airlines to provide certain services and assistance to passengers affected by significant delays or cancellations. These include: Food and drinks appropriate for the waiting time Hotel accommodation if an overnight stay becomes necessary Transport between the airport and the place of accommodation Two free phone calls, emails, or faxes Upgrading and Downgrading When a passenger gets an alternative flight, it is good to know about upgrading and downgrading the flight’s class. In cases, when the airline provides you with an upgraded class (for instance, you had Economy but were upgraded to Business class), you will not be charged additional fees for this upgrade. Regarding downgrading in class (in case you booked a Business class flight, but were downgraded to Economy), you can receive reimbursement. In this case, it is worth mentioning 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 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 situations, when passengers aren’t eligible for compensation for cancelled or delayed flights. Particularly, we talk about extraordinary circumstances that are not within 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). In addition, if the airline potentially could have done something to avoid issues regarding the flight and failed to handle the situation, you may be eligible for compensation. Which Flights are Covered by EU 261/2004? European Union Regulation 261 covers all flights departing from European Union airports. This regulation also extends to 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, China Southern Airlines isn’t a European airline. Consequently, they are not obliged 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. ItineraryCovered by EU 261Flights departing from the EU airports✔️ YesFlights arriving at the EU airports❌ No How to Claim China Southern Airlines Compensation Flight cancellation or delay can be a frustrating experience that can not only upset you but also ruin all your travel plans. Those who are unlucky enough to face 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 like 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 are well-versed in the EU laws well and will do our best to get you your compensation. You only incur a fee if we win your case.