Japan Airlines Compensation for Flight Delays and Cancellations

Passengers of Japan Airlines who have faced a cancelled or delayed flight have a legal right to compensation. According to EU 261/2004, an airline is obliged to compensate passengers in case of a significant disruption. In this article, we’ll examine your rights and the actions you need to take to get the compensation you are entitled to from the airline.

Japan Airlines Flight Delay or Cancellation Compensation

Before claiming the Japan Airlines compensation, you should be aware of the conditions and the amount of compensation you may expect to get in case of flight cancellation or delay.

Japan Airlines Compensation for Flight Delay

According to UK and EU regulations, passengers can receive up to €600 in compensation per person if their flight is delayed. It’s essential 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 hinges on the actual time you arrive at your final destination.

Let’s take a look at how much compensation you can get if your flight is delayed. The amount of compensation depends on various criteria, including the duration of the delay and the route length 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 may not always receive compensation for every flight delay. Japan Airlines is not obliged to provide compensation when extraordinary circumstances outside their control happen. This includes severe weather conditions, problems at the airport, or air traffic controller strikes. In these cases, you will usually not be compensated as it is not the airline’s fault.

Japan Airlines Compensation for Flight Cancellation

EU Regulation 261/2004 states that airlines have to notify passengers of cancellations at least 14 days before the scheduled flight. If the airline fails to notify you in time, you may be entitled to flight cancellation compensation ranging from €250 to €600 per passenger, depending on the flight distance. However, if the airline provides you with an alternate flight, it could potentially avoid 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

Even when accepting an alternative flight, passengers retain their entitlement to compensation if they still experience significant delays at their final destination. The amount of compensation is determined based on two criteria: the distance of the flight and the duration of the delay, in line with the table 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

Japan Airlines isn’t required to compensate you if they offer an alternative flight that departs and arrives around the same time as your original flight. Additionally, you generally 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 Japan Airlines Flights Covered By EU 261/2004?

EU Regulation 261 applies to all flights departing from European Union airports. 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, Japan Airlines is not a European airline. Therefore, they are not obliged to pay you compensation if their flights operate outside of Europe. This is true even for 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 Japan Airlines

If your travel plans have been affected by a flight cancellation or delay with Japan Airlines, it’s important to be aware that you might be entitled to compensation under EU laws. This is why it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the process of claiming compensation. Here’s what you need to do:

• Complete our 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 handle the rest. We are well-versed in the EU laws thoroughly and will make every effort to secure your compensation. You only pay us if we win your case.

These steps will assist you in filing your claim quickly and increase your chances of getting the compensation you’re owed. There may be 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

Japan Airlines goes the additional mile to help passengers during travel interruptions by offering services that complement flight compensation.

Right to Care

When flight disruptions happen, Japan Airlines is committed to ensuring passenger comfort through the Right to Care provision. This right, established under EU Regulation 261/2004, becomes applicable when flight delays exceed two hours. The services provided include:

• Food and Drinks: 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: Japan Airlines 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, Japan Airlines provides hotel room accommodation. This includes 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 immediate assistance.

Rebooking and Refunds

When Japan Airlines cancels a flight, passengers can choose to receive a full refund or rebook on a different flight. This flexibility is crucial for minimizing travel disruptions and supporting passengers to handle 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 journey, Japan Airlines 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, Japan Airlines shall arrange accommodation and transfers as needed. Furthermore, 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 important 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, Japan Airlines will assist in rebooking your entire journey, not only the cancelled segment.

Whether opting for a refund or arranging a new flight, the procedures are designed to ensure this process as smooth as possible, understanding the stress and inconvenience caused by cancellations.

Recent Flight Delays and Cancellations