Passengers of Etihad Airways who have faced a delayed or cancelled flight have a legal right to compensation. According to EU 261/2004, airlines must compensate passengers in case of a significant disruption. In this article, we will look at your rights and the steps you should follow to obtain the compensation you are entitled to from the airline. Etihad Airways Flight Delay or Cancellation Compensation Before claiming the Etihad Airways compensation, you should be aware of the conditions and the amount of compensation you may expect to get in the event of delay or flight cancellation. Etihad Airways Compensation for Flight Delay In line with UK and EU laws, passengers are eligible for up to €600 in compensation per person if their flight arrives late. It’s important to note, that this delay compensation depends on the flight’s arrival time, not the departure time, so the key to your claim relies on the actual time you land at your destination airport. Here’s an overview of how much compensation you may receive if your flight is delayed. The amount of compensation is determined by several factors, such as the duration of the delay and the route length of your flight: 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 Be aware you may not be compensated for every flight delay. Etihad Airways isn’t required to pay compensation when extraordinary circumstances outside their control arise. This covers bad weather, airport issues, or air traffic controller strikes. In these instances, you will generally not be compensated as it is not the airline’s fault. Etihad Airways Compensation for Flight Cancellation EU 261 states that airlines must notify passengers of flight cancellations at least 14 days before departure. If the airline fails to notify you in time, you may be entitled to compensation of €250-600 per passenger, depending on the flight distance. However, if the airline provides you with an alternate flight, it could potentially avoid paying compensation for the cancelled flight if the following conditions are met: 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 When accepting a different flight, passengers retain their claim for compensation if they still experience significant delays at their final destination. The amount of compensation is calculated based on two factors: the distance of the flight and the duration of the delay, in line with the table provided below: 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 Etihad Airways is not obliged to compensate you if they offer an alternative flight that departs and arrives around the same time as your original flight. Moreover, you usually 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 Etihad Airways Flights Covered By EU 261/2004? EU Regulation 261 covers all flights departing from airports in the EU. This regulation also extends 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, Etihad Airways is not a European airline. Consequently, they aren’t required to pay you compensation if their flights operate outside of Europe. This applies even to their flights to Europe if they start outside the EU. ItineraryCovered by EU 261Flights departing from EU airports✔️ YesFlights arriving at EU airports❌ No How to Claim Compensation from Etihad Airways If your travel plans have been affected by a flight delay or cancellation with Etihad Airways, 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 what went wrong. Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will take over. We are well-versed in the EU laws thoroughly and will do our best to get you your compensation. You only pay us if we win your case. These steps will help you file your claim quickly and improve your chances of getting the compensation you’re entitled to. There may be plenty of time after your flight to make a claim, but it’s best to file it as soon as you can while you still remember all the details. What You Can Get Besides EU Flight Compensation Etihad Airways goes the extra mile to help passengers during travel disruptions by offering services that complement flight compensation. Right to Care When flight disruptions happen, Etihad Airways is committed to ensuring passenger comfort through the Right to Care provision. The right, established under EU Regulation 261/2004, becomes applicable when flight delays exceed two hours. The services provided include: Meals and Refreshments: 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: Etihad Airways 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, Etihad Airways arranges hotel room accommodation. This includes 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 immediate assistance. Rebooking and Refunds When Etihad Airways cancels a flight, passengers can choose to receive a full refund or rebook on an alternative flight. This option is crucial for minimizing travel interruptions and supporting 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 trip, Etihad Airways shall provide rebooking on the next available flight to your destination. You also have the option to select an alternative route if there are seats available. If the next available flight is scheduled for the following day or later, Etihad Airways will arrange accommodation and transfers as needed. Additionally, 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. Additionally, if your booking involves connecting flights, Etihad Airways shall help in rebooking your entire journey, not only the cancelled segment. Whether choosing 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.