Dealing with flight disruptions can be quite upsetting. However, the bright side is that the European Union has regulations to support travelers when things go wrong. If you’re flying in the EU, it’s smart to know about these protections. They can help you out if your flight goes off course.
Understanding your rights can make managing travel complications much easier. While it won’t speed up your journey, 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 guarantee airlines take care of 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 experiencing a significant delay 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 ask airline representatives about these entitlements if your plans change. They are obligated to tell you about your rights when there’s a significant delay or cancellation.
ITA Airways Flight Delay Compensation
Flight delays from ITA Airways can be very frustrating. However there’s some good news: if you’re delayed 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 in your favor. You could get up to €600 per person. What counts is when you land, not when you depart. So keep an eye on your arrival time if you want to seek flight delay compensation.
How much you get 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 the same amount of time.
Want to know exactly how much you could get? Take a look at 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 |
ITA Airways Flight Cancellation Compensation
The EU has regulations to protect you if your flight is cancelled. Here’s what you should know:
If your flight is cancelled less than two weeks before you’re supposed to leave, you might get compensation up to €600. But keep in mind – 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 provide an alternative 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 choose to board a different flight from the airline, you can still get compensation. The most important thing is your arrival time at your destination.
How much money you might get depends on two factors:
- The distance of your flight
- How late you arrive
So, even if you arrive later than planned, you may still receive some compensation.
Look at the table below 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 if you arrive shortly after the scheduled time, you might not be eligible for flight cancellation compensation.
How to Claim Compensation from ITA Airways
It’s crucial to know how to request the compensation you’re eligible for under EU Regulation 261/2004. Here’s how to do it:
- Complete our form. You’ll need to provide details such as your flight number, date, and the problem you faced.
- 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 secure your compensation. You only incur a fee if we win your case.
Remember that it is your right as a passenger to claim compensation for a cancelled or delayed flight. No matter whether your flight was delayed due to operational issues or mechanical problems, if it was not caused by extraordinary circumstances like adverse weather conditions or air traffic control decisions, you qualify for compensation.
Which ITA Airways Flights are Covered by EU261?
The European Union’s laws for protecting air passengers have a wide-ranging scope. They cover any flight taking off from a European Union member state airport and any flight coming into an airport in an EU member state if the flight is operated by an EU airline.
| Itinerary | Covered by EU 261 |
| Flights departing EU airports | ✅ Covered |
| Flights arriving at EU airports | ✅ Covered |
These regulations also include airlines from Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland. This means when you travel with any airline to, from, or within Europe, you probably have these rights. It’s helpful to be aware of these laws – they’re in place to assist you if something goes wrong with your flight. They guarantee you’re not stranded when your trip arrangements don’t work out.
When You Are Not Entitled to Compensation
ITA Airways isn’t necessarily at fault when flights are delayed or cancelled. Occasionally, things happen that the airline is powerless against, like severe weather conditions or unforeseen issues.
For example, if there’s an abrupt major weather event, an urgent situation at the airport, or a strike by air traffic controllers, ITA Airways cannot be held accountable. These are called “extraordinary circumstances” that the airline is unable to prevent.
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 occur.