Passengers of Emirates who have faced a cancelled or delayed flight are legally entitled to compensation. According to EU 261, airlines must compensate passengers if there’s a significant disruption. Here, we’ll examine your rights and the steps you should follow to obtain the compensation you are entitled to from the airline.
Emirates Flight Delay or Cancellation Compensation
Before claiming the Emirates compensation, you should be aware of the conditions and the amount of compensation you may expect to get in case of delay or flight cancellation.
Emirates Compensation for Flight Delay
In line with UK and EU regulations, passengers are eligible for up to €600 in compensation per person if their flight arrives late. It’s essential to note that this flight delay compensation depends on the flight’s arrival time, not the departure time, so the key to your claim is the actual time you arrive at your destination airport.
Here’s an overview of how much compensation you can get if your flight is delayed. The amount of compensation varies based on several factors, including the duration of the delay and the route length of your flight:
| 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 |
Be aware you may not receive compensation for every flight delay. Emirates isn’t required to compensate passengers when extraordinary circumstances they cannot control happen. This covers severe weather conditions, problems at the airport, or a strike by air traffic controllers. In these cases, you will generally not be given compensation as it is not the airline’s fault.
Emirates Compensation for Flight Cancellation
EU 261 states that airlines are required to inform passengers of flight cancellations at least 14 days before the scheduled flight. If the airline fails to notify you in time, you might be eligible for flight cancellation compensation ranging from €250 to €600 per passenger, according to the flight distance. Nonetheless, if the airline provides you with an alternate flight, it could potentially avoid compensation for the cancelled flight if the following conditions are met:
| 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 |
When accepting an alternative flight, passengers retain their claim for compensation if they still experience significant delays at their final destination. The compensation amount is calculated based on two factors: the distance of the flight and the duration of the delay, according to the table provided below:
| 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 |
Emirates is not obliged to compensate you if they provide an alternative flight that departs and arrives near the same time as your original flight. Moreover, you generally won’t receive compensation if the flight is cancelled due to circumstances beyond the airline’s control, such as bad weather or when airline workers go on strike.
Are Emirates Flights Covered By EU 261/2004?
European Union Regulation 261 covers all flights departing from airports in the EU. It also applies to flights arriving in the EU if the airline originates in the EU. This includes airlines from European Union member states as well as Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.
Nevertheless, Emirates isn’t a European airline. Therefore, they aren’t required to pay you compensation if their flights operate outside of Europe. This is true even for their flights to Europe if they start outside the EU.
| Itinerary | Covered by EU 261 |
| Flights departing from EU airports | ✔️ Yes |
| Flights arriving at EU airports | ❌ No |
How to Claim Compensation from Emirates
If your travel plans have been affected by a flight cancellation or delay with Emirates, it’s essential to be aware that you might be entitled to compensation under EU laws. For this reason, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the process of claiming compensation. Here’s what you need to do:
- Fill in our form. You’ll need to provide details such as your flight number, date, and the issue you encountered.
- Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will handle the rest. We understand the EU laws thoroughly and will do our best to get you your compensation. You are only charged if we win your case.
These steps will assist you in filing your claim quickly and improve your chances of obtaining the compensation you’re entitled to. There may be plenty of time after your flight to submit a claim, but it’s best to complete it as soon as you can while you still remember all the details.
What You Can Get Besides EU Flight Compensation
Emirates goes the additional mile to support passengers during travel disruptions by providing services that complement flight compensation.
Right to Care
When flight disruptions happen, Emirates is committed to ensuring passenger comfort through the Right to Care provision. The right, established under EU 261, becomes applicable when flight delays exceed two hours. The services provided include:
- Food and Drinks: Passengers are provided with food and drinks appropriate to the length of delay. This may include vouchers for airport restaurants or direct distribution of snacks and drinks.
- Communication: Emirates offers two free phone calls, emails, or fax messages to keep passengers connected with family or business contacts.
- Accommodation: If the delay extends for the night or requires an additional stay, Emirates provides hotel room accommodation. This also covers transportation to and from the airport and the hotel.
- Special Assistance: Extra care is given to passengers with reduced mobility or special needs.
To access these services, you can simply approach airline staff at the airport for instant assistance.
Rebooking and Refunds
When Emirates cancels a flight, passengers can choose to receive a full refund or rebook on another flight. This flexibility is crucial for minimizing travel interruptions and helping passengers to manage unforeseen circumstances successfully.
- Full Refund: if you request a refund, you can get full reimbursement for the parts of your trip that you didn’t use, including any tickets you only partly used. Also, if the cancellation means your trip no longer serves its original purpose, you may get a flight back to where you first started at the earliest chance.
- Rebooking: if you choose to continue your journey, Emirates shall provide rebooking on the next available flight to your destination. You also have the option to choose an alternative route if there are seats available. If the next available flight is scheduled for the following day or later, Emirates shall arrange accommodation and transfers as necessary. Furthermore, you have the right to be rebooked, including in a higher class, at no additional cost to you if that’s the only available option.
It’s crucial to keep in mind some additional considerations. If you’re rebooked on a lower class than originally booked, you’re entitled to a partial refund of the cost difference. Furthermore, if your booking includes connecting flights, Emirates shall help in rebooking your entire journey, not only the cancelled segment.
Whether opting for a refund or arranging a new flight, the procedures are designed to make this process as easy as possible, understanding the stress and inconvenience caused by cancellations.