Whenever flights get delayed or cancelled, it can be frustrating and inconvenient for passengers. However, the EU has a regulation 261/2004 that helps protect passengers in these situations. Under EU261/2004, 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 law that deals with the rights of air passengers. Specifically, 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 traveler who experienced certain inconveniences is entitled to obtain compensation. Moreover, passengers may be entitled to certain benefits, which we will discuss further in the article. Right to Compensation EU Regulation 261 encompasses regulations regarding the process of compensation, including aid to people who suffered from flight problems. Specifically, the amount of compensation you can be eligible for is up to 600 euros per passenger. This sum ranges, depending on your specific case. Compensation for EL AL Flight Cancellation First and foremost, travelers should be aware that the airline must inform them about the flight cancellation. In case the airline notifies you less than fourteen days before your scheduled departure and does not offer any alternative flight, the airline, according to the EU 261, must pay you compensation of 250 – 600 euros. At the same time, if a passenger is provided with an alternative flight but reaches 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 EL AL 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 is entitled to 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 essential details 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 relates to a specific aspect of EU Regulation 261/2004, which sets out regulations on assistance and compensation to passengers in cases of long delays, denied boarding, or flight cancellations. The “Right to Care” under EU 261 obliges airlines to provide certain services and assistance to passengers affected by significant delays or cancellations. These include: Snacks and beverages appropriate to 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 In situations where a passenger receives an alternative flight, it is good to understand upgrading and downgrading the flight’s class. In cases, when the airline provides you with a higher class (for example, you booked Economy but were upgraded to Business class), you won’t have to pay additional fees for this upgrade. Regarding downgrading in class (in case you booked a Business class ticket, but were downgraded to Economy), you are entitled to receive reimbursement. In this case, 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 apply to every flight 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 situations, when passengers will not receive compensation for delayed or cancelled flights. Particularly, we talk about 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 could hypothetically have done something to avoid problems with the flight and failed to handle the situation, you can claim compensation. Which Flights are Covered by EU 261/2004? EU 261 applies to all flights departing from EU airports. 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, EL AL isn’t a European airline. Consequently, they aren’t required 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 EL AL Compensation Flight delay or cancellation is an unpleasant situation that can not only upset you but also ruin all your travel plans. Passengers who unfortunately encounter a flight cancellation or delay should know exactly how to claim compensation. To apply for compensation, follow these steps: Fill in this 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 understand the EU laws thoroughly and will make every effort to secure your compensation. You are only charged if we win your case.