Whenever flights get delayed or cancelled, it can be frustrating and inconvenient for passengers. However, the European Union has a regulation 261 that helps protect passengers in such situations. According to EU 261/2004, if your flight is disrupted, the airline has to provide you with compensation and assistance. Passenger Rights Under EU 261/2004 The EU 261 is the legislation that covers air passengers’ rights. More precisely, this law covers diverse cases, such as delays, flight cancellations, rebooking, etc., and obligates airlines to resolve individual cases with fairness and care. If the incident happens because of the airline’s fault, any traveler who experienced certain inconveniences has a right to receive compensation. In addition, passengers can receive certain benefits, which we will discuss further in the article. Right to Compensation EU Regulation 261 encompasses regulations concerning the process of compensation, including aid to travelers who suffered from flight problems. Specifically, the amount of compensation you can expect to receive is up to 600 euros per person. This sum varies, according to your specific case. Compensation for Mahan Air Flight Cancellation First and foremost, travelers need to know that the airline must inform them about the flight cancellation. In case the airline informs you less than fourteen days before your scheduled departure and does not provide any alternative flight, the airline, according to the EU 261/2004, is obligated to compensate you compensation of 250 – 600 euros. At the same time, if a passenger is provided with an alternative flight but reaches his destination later than the original flight was supposed to, the passenger may also be eligible for compensation. The table below shows the airline’s obligations according to the duration of the delay: Under 2 hours2-3 hours3-4 hoursOver 4 hoursNever arrivedDistance€125€250€250€250€250All flights 1,500 km or less€200€200€400€400€400Internal EU flights over 1,500 km€200€200€400€400€400Non-internal EU flights 1,500 km- 3,500 km€300€300€300€600€600Non-internal EU flights over 3,500 km Compensation for Mahan Air Flight Delay When a flight is delayed for three or more hours, the airline is required to provide compensation. If the flight is delayed for 5 hours or more, the passenger is entitled to a ticket refund or another flight to the final destination. Furthermore, in such situations, the airline also must provide a passenger with refreshments, meals, and accommodation. See key information about compensation in the table below: Less than 3 hoursBetween 3-4 hoursOver 4 hoursDistance€0€250€250All flights up to 1500 km€0€400€400All flights between 1500 km and 3500 km€0€400€400All intra-EU flights over 3500 km€0€300€600All non-EU flights over 3500 km Right to Care Right to Care refers to a specific aspect of European Union Regulation 261/2004, which establishes common rules on assistance and compensation for travelers in cases of denied boarding, flight cancellations, or long delays. The “Right to Care” under EU 261 obliges airlines to provide certain services and assistance to passengers facing significant delays or cancellations. These include: Food and beverages appropriate for the waiting time Hotel accommodation if an overnight stay becomes necessary Transport between the airport and the place of accommodation Emails or faxes and two free phone calls Upgrading and Downgrading In situations where a passenger receives an alternative flight, it is good to understand upgrading and downgrading the flight’s class. In cases, when the airline provides you with an upgraded class (for instance, you booked Economy but were upgraded to Business class), you will not be charged extra for this service. Regarding downgrading in class (in case you booked a Business class ticket, but were downgraded to Economy), you have a right to receive reimbursement. In this case, it is worth mentioning that the amount of compensation fully depends on the distance of a flight: 30% of the flight tickets cost for a 1,500 km distance or less; 50% of the flight tickets cost (specifically, for intra-EU flights that are over 1,500 km and all other flights with a 1,500 km and 3,500 km distance; 75% of the ticket price for flights with a 3,500+ km distance. Keep in mind that these rights apply to all flights within the European Union, as well as flights departing from or arriving in the European Union operated by airlines based in the EU. When Are You Not Entitled to Compensation? Unfortunately, there are cases, when passengers won’t get compensation for delayed or cancelled flights. Specifically, we talk about extraordinary circumstances that are not within the airline’s control. A few examples are as follows: Bad weather conditions and natural disasters; Political circumstances (related security risks, terrorist attacks); A collision of the aircraft and foreign objects (birds, for instance); Unruly or very ill passengers; Strikes (that are not caused by the airline’s crew). In addition, if the airline could hypothetically have done something to prevent problems with the flight and failed to handle the situation, you may be eligible for compensation. Which Flights are Covered by EU 261/2004? EU 261 applies to all flights departing from European Union airports. It also covers flights arriving in the EU if the airline is based in the EU. This includes airlines from EU countries as well as Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland. However, Mahan Air isn’t a European airline. Therefore, they aren’t required to pay compensation if their flights operate outside of the European Union. This is true even for their flights to the European Union if they start outside the EU. ItineraryCovered by EU 261Flights departing from the EU airports✔️ YesFlights arriving at the EU airports❌ No How to Claim Mahan Air Compensation Flight delay or cancellation can be a frustrating experience that can not only upset you but also ruin all your travel plans. Passengers who unfortunately encounter a flight delay or cancellation should understand the steps to claim compensation. To apply for compensation, follow these steps: Fill in this form. You’ll need to provide details including your flight number, date, and the issue you encountered. Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will manage the process. We understand the EU laws thoroughly and will make every effort to obtain your rightful compensation. You are only charged if we win your case.