Handling flight issues can be very annoying. However, the good news is that the European Union has laws to assist travelers when things don’t go as planned. If you’re flying in the EU, it’s a good idea to know about these protections. They can come in handy if your flight goes off course.
Knowing what you’re entitled to can make managing travel issues a lot simpler. While it won’t speed up your journey, it can reduce your anxiety when things don’t go as planned.
Passenger Rights under EU Regulation 261/2004
EU air passengers are protected if their flight experiences difficulties. EU laws guarantee airlines look after their passengers when things go wrong.
When flights are delayed or cancelled, airlines must provide you:
- Refreshments and snacks
- A hotel room if you’re stuck overnight
- Transportation to and from the hotel
- Two free phone calls, emails, or faxes
If you’re experiencing a significant delay or your flight is cancelled, you might also get:
- A refund
- An alternative flight
- Compensation to make up for the inconvenience
Don’t forget to ask airline representatives about these things if your plans change. They have to tell you about your rights when there’s a significant delay or cancellation.
Heston Airlines Flight Delay Compensation
Flight delays from Heston Airlines can be very frustrating. However there’s some good news: if you’re stuck waiting for more than three hours owing to the airline’s fault, you might be able to get some compensation.
Laws in the UK and EU are on your side. You could get up to €600 per person. What is important is when you reach your destination, not when you depart. So keep an eye on your arrival time if you want to seek flight delay compensation.
The amount you receive depends on how far you’re flying. A brief trip won’t yield as much as a long one, even if they’re both delayed for the same duration.
Want to know exactly how much you could get? Check out the table below to see how much money you might get:
| 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 |
Heston Airlines Flight Cancellation Compensation
Europe has laws to help you if your flight gets cancelled. Here’s what you should know:
In the event of a flight cancellation within two weeks of your scheduled departure, you could be eligible for compensation as much as €600. However, there’s a condition – the airline can avoid paying if they offer you an alternative flight that aligns closely with your original schedule.
The airline can avoid paying you if they offer you a new flight that meets the following conditions:
| 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 |
If you agree to take another flight from the airline, you can still get compensation. The key factor is when you reach your final destination.
Your potential compensation is based on two things:
- The distance of your flight
- The delay in your arrival
Therefore, even if the new flight doesn’t get there on time, you could still be eligible for compensation.
Look at the following table to understand better:
| 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 |
The airline might not be required to compensate you if they can provide transportation to your destination, close to the original schedule. Even with a slight delay, you might not be entitled to flight cancellation compensation.
How to Claim Compensation from Heston Airlines
It’s essential to know how to claim the compensation you’re eligible for under EU Regulation 261/2004. Here’s the process:
- Complete our form. You’ll need to provide details including your flight number, date, and the problem you faced.
- Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will handle the rest. We are well-versed in the EU laws comprehensively and will do our best to get you your compensation. You only incur a fee if we win your case.
Remember that you have the right as a passenger to claim compensation for a cancelled or delayed flight. Regardless of whether your flight was delayed due to operational reasons or mechanical problems, if it was not caused by extraordinary circumstances such as inclement weather or air traffic control decisions, you have a right to compensation.
Which Heston Airlines Flights are Covered by EU261?
The EU’s air passenger protection laws have a wide-ranging scope. They apply to any flight taking off from an airport in an EU member state and every flight landing at an airport in an EU member state when an EU-based airline operates the flight.
| Itinerary | Covered by EU 261 |
| Flights departing EU airports | ✅ Covered |
| Flights arriving at EU airports | ✅ Covered |
These regulations also cover airlines from Norway, Switzerland, and Iceland. This means when you travel with any airline within, to, or from Europe, you probably have these rights. It’s good to understand these laws – they’re there to help you if something goes wrong with your flight. They guarantee you’re not stranded when your travel plans don’t work out.
When You Are Not Entitled to Compensation
Heston Airlines isn’t necessarily responsible when flights are delayed or cancelled. Sometimes, situations arise that the airline has no control over, like extreme weather or unexpected problems.
For example, if there’s unexpected severe weather, an emergency at the airport, or an air traffic control strike, Heston Airlines isn’t responsible. These are called “extraordinary circumstances” that the airline has no control over.
When these events take place, you likely won’t get any compensation. The airline is not considered to be doing anything wrong when these unexpected issues come up.