Handling flight disruptions can be very annoying. However, the good news is that the European Union has regulations to help travelers when things don’t go as planned. If you’re traveling by air in the EU, it’s a good idea to know about these regulations. They can help you out if your flight is disrupted.
Understanding your rights can make managing travel problems less stressful. While it won’t make your flight go any faster, it can help you feel less stressed 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 ensure airlines look after their passengers when things go wrong.
When flights are delayed or cancelled, airlines must provide you:
- Refreshments and snacks
- Accommodation if you’re stuck overnight
- Transportation to and from the hotel
- Two free phone calls, emails, or faxes
If you’re delayed for a long time or your flight is cancelled, you might also get:
- A refund
- A different flight option
- Compensation to make up for the trouble
Don’t forget to inquire with airline workers about these things if your plans change. They are obligated to inform you about your rights when there’s a significant delay or cancellation.
HiSky Flight Delay Compensation
Delays with flights from HiSky can be really annoying. However there’s a silver lining: if you’re stranded for more than three hours due 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 receive up to €600 per person. What counts is when you land, not when you take off. So pay attention to your arrival time if you want to seek flight delay compensation.
How much you get depends on the length of your journey. A brief trip won’t be compensated as highly 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 the potential reimbursement amounts:
| 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 |
HiSky Flight Cancellation Compensation
The European Union has laws to help you if your flight gets cancelled. Here’s what you should know:
If your flight gets cancelled less than two weeks before your planned travel date, you may be entitled to compensation of up to €600. But there’s a catch – the airline can avoid paying if they rebook you on a different flight that doesn’t significantly disrupt your travel.
The airline may not need to compensate 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 a different flight from the airline, you can still receive compensation. The key factor is when you reach your final destination.
The amount you could receive is based on two things:
- How far you’re flying
- The delay in your arrival
So, even if the new flight doesn’t get there on time, you could still be eligible for compensation.
Refer to the table below for more information:
| 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 may not need to compensate you if they can provide a transfer to your destination, close to the original schedule. Even if you’re just a little late, you might not be eligible for flight cancellation compensation.
How to Claim Compensation from HiSky
It’s crucial to be aware of how to request the compensation you deserve under EU Regulation 261/2004. Here’s the process:
- Complete this form. You’ll need to provide details like 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 are well-versed in the EU laws well and will strive to get you your compensation. You only incur a fee if we win your case.
Don’t forget that it is your right as a passenger to claim compensation for a delayed or cancelled flight. Regardless of whether your flight was delayed as a result of operational reasons or technical issues, if it was not caused by extraordinary circumstances including adverse weather conditions or air traffic control decisions, you have a right to compensation.
Which HiSky Flights are Covered by EU261?
The EU’s air passenger protection laws are far-reaching. They cover all flights departing from a European Union member state airport and any flight coming into a European Union member state airport 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 laws also apply to airlines from Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland. This means if you’re flying with any airline within, to, or from Europe, you likely have these rights. It’s important to be aware of these regulations – they exist to help you if something goes wrong with your flight. They ensure you’re not stranded when your trip arrangements go awry.
When You Are Not Entitled to Compensation
HiSky isn’t necessarily responsible when flights are delayed or cancelled. Sometimes, events occur that the airline has no control over, like severe weather conditions or unforeseen issues.
For instance, if there’s unexpected severe weather, an airport emergency, or air traffic controllers go on strike, HiSky isn’t responsible. These are called “extraordinary circumstances” that the airline can’t do anything about.
When these events take place, you probably won’t get any compensation. The airline is not considered to be doing anything wrong when these unforeseen difficulties come up.