Coping with flight problems can be really frustrating. However, the good news is that the European Union has regulations to assist travelers when things don’t go as planned. If you’re taking a plane in the EU, it’s smart to understand these protections. They can help you out if your flight goes off course.
Knowing what you’re entitled to can make managing travel problems much easier. While it won’t speed up your journey, it can reduce your anxiety when things go wrong.
Passenger Rights under EU Regulation 261/2004
If your flight has problems in the EU, you’ll get help. EU laws make sure airlines assist their passengers when things go wrong.
When flights are delayed or cancelled, airlines must offer you:
- Refreshments and snacks
- A hotel room if you’re stranded 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 be entitled to:
- A refund
- A different flight option
- Compensation to make up for the trouble
Remember to inquire with airline staff about these entitlements if your plans change. They must tell you about your rights when there’s a significant delay or cancellation.
LOT Polish Airlines Flight Delay Compensation
Delays with flights from LOT Polish Airlines can be very frustrating. 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 in your favor. You could receive up to €600 per person. What counts is when you reach your destination, not when you leave. So monitor 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 the same amount of time.
Interested in learning 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 |
LOT Polish Airlines Flight Cancellation Compensation
Europe has regulations to protect you if your flight is 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 of up to €600. However, there’s a condition – the airline can avoid paying if they offer you an alternative flight that doesn’t significantly disrupt your travel.
The carrier can bypass compensation 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 choose to board a different flight from the airline, you can still receive compensation. The key factor is your arrival time at your destination.
The amount you could receive depends on two things:
- How far you’re flying
- How late you arrive
Therefore, even if the new flight doesn’t get there on time, you might still get some compensation.
Look at the following table 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 LOT Polish Airlines
It’s essential to understand the process of claiming the compensation you’re entitled to under EU Regulation 261/2004. Here’s the process:
- Complete this form. You’ll need to provide details including your flight number, date, and what went wrong.
- Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will take over. We know the EU laws thoroughly and will do our best to get you your compensation. You only pay us if we win your case.
Don’t forget that you have the right as a passenger to claim compensation for a cancelled or delayed flight. No matter whether your flight was delayed as a result of operational reasons or mechanical problems, if it was not caused by extraordinary circumstances like severe weather or air traffic control decisions, you have a right to compensation.
Which LOT Polish Airlines Flights are Covered by EU261?
The European Union’s laws for protecting air passengers are far-reaching. They cover all flights departing from an airport within an EU country and every flight landing at a European Union member state airport provided the airline is based in the EU.
| Itinerary | Covered by EU 261 |
| Flights departing EU airports | ✅ Covered |
| Flights arriving at EU airports | ✅ Covered |
These laws also include airlines from Switzerland, Iceland, and Norway. This means if you’re traveling with any airline to, within, or from Europe, you probably have these rights. It’s important to know about these regulations – they’re there to help you if issues arise with your flight. They ensure you’re not abandoned when your travel plans go awry.
When You Are Not Entitled to Compensation
LOT Polish Airlines is not always responsible when flights are delayed or cancelled. Sometimes, situations arise that the airline can’t control, like extreme weather or unexpected problems.
For example, if there’s a sudden storm, an airport emergency, or air traffic controllers go on strike, LOT Polish Airlines cannot be held accountable. These are called “extraordinary circumstances” that the airline can’t do anything about.
When these situations occur, you likely won’t get any compensation. The airline isn’t seen as doing anything wrong when these unexpected issues come up.