Fiji Airways Compensation for Flight Delays and Cancellations

Passengers of Fiji Airways who have faced a cancelled or delayed flight are legally entitled to compensation. According to EU 261/2004, an airline is obliged to compensate passengers in case of a significant disruption. In this article, we will look at your rights and the actions you need to take to obtain the compensation you deserve from the airline.

Fiji Airways Flight Delay or Cancellation Compensation

Before claiming the Fiji Airways compensation, you should be aware of the conditions and the amount of compensation you may expect to get in the event of flight cancellation or delay.

Fiji Airways Compensation for Flight Delay

According to UK and EU regulations, passengers can receive up to €600 in compensation per person if their flight arrives late. It’s crucial to note that this flight delay compensation is based on the flight’s landing 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 is determined by various criteria, including the duration of the delay and the distance 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

Keep in mind you might not be compensated for every flight delay. Fiji Airways is not obliged to provide compensation when extraordinary circumstances outside their control occur. This includes severe weather conditions, airport issues, or air traffic controller strikes. In these instances, you will usually not be given compensation as it is not the airline’s fault.

Fiji Airways Compensation for Flight Cancellation

European Union Regulation 261/2004 states that airlines are required to notify passengers of cancellations at least 14 days before the scheduled flight. If the airline fails to notify you in time, you could qualify for flight cancellation compensation ranging from €250 to €600 per passenger, based on the distance of the flight. 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 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 right to compensation if they still experience significant delays at their final destination. The compensation amount is calculated based on two factors: the flight distance and the duration of the delay, in line with 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

Fiji Airways isn’t required to compensate you if they offer an alternative flight that departs and arrives around the same time as your original flight. Also, you usually won’t receive compensation if the flight is cancelled due to circumstances beyond the airline’s control, such as adverse weather conditions or when airline staff goes on strike.

Are Fiji Airways 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, Fiji Airways isn’t a European airline. Consequently, they are not obliged 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.

Itinerary	Covered by EU 261
Flights departing from EU airports	✔️ Yes
Flights arriving at EU airports	❌ No

How to Claim Compensation from Fiji Airways

If your travel plans have been affected by a flight delay or cancellation with Fiji Airways, it’s important to know 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 take over. We understand the EU laws comprehensively and will strive to obtain your rightful compensation. You only pay us if we win your case.

These steps will help you file your claim quickly and increase your chances of receiving the compensation you’re owed. You might have plenty of time after your flight to make 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

Fiji Airways goes the additional mile to help passengers during travel interruptions by providing services that complement flight compensation.

Right to Care

When flight disruptions happen, Fiji Airways is committed to ensuring passenger comfort through the Right to Care provision. The right, established under EU 261, kicks in when flight delays exceed two hours. The services provided include:

• Meals and Refreshments: Passengers are provided with meals and beverages appropriate to the length of delay. This may include vouchers for airport restaurants or direct distribution of snacks and drinks.
• Communication: Fiji 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, Fiji Airways arranges hotel accommodation. This also covers transportation between 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 Fiji Airways cancels a flight, passengers have the option to receive a full refund or rebook on another flight. This flexibility is crucial for minimizing travel disruptions and assisting passengers to handle unforeseen circumstances effectively.

• 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, Fiji Airways 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, Fiji Airways shall arrange accommodation and transfers as needed. Additionally, you have the right to be rebooked, even in a higher class, at no additional cost to you if that’s the only available option.

It’s essential to keep in mind some additional considerations. If you’re rebooked on a lower class than originally booked, you’re eligible for a partial refund of the cost difference. Furthermore, if your booking includes connecting flights, Fiji 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 ensure this process as easy as possible, understanding the stress and inconvenience caused by cancellations.

Recent Flight Delays and Cancellations