Passengers of Midwest Airlines who have experienced a delayed or cancelled flight have a legal right to compensation. Under EU Regulation 261/2004, an airline is obliged to compensate passengers if there’s a significant disruption. Here, we’ll examine your rights and the steps you should follow to receive the compensation you are entitled to from the airline.
Midwest Airlines Flight Delay or Cancellation Compensation
Before claiming the Midwest Airlines compensation, you should be aware of the conditions and the amount of compensation you may expect to get in the event of delay or flight cancellation.
Midwest Airlines Compensation for Flight Delay
In line with UK and EU laws, passengers can receive up to €600 in compensation per person if their flight experiences a delay. It’s crucial to note that this flight delay compensation depends on the flight’s arrival time, not the departure time, so the key to your claim relies on the actual time you reach your final destination.
Let’s take a look at how much compensation you can get if your flight is delayed. The amount of compensation is determined by several factors, such as 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 |
Remember you may not be compensated for every flight delay. Midwest Airlines isn’t required to compensate passengers when extraordinary circumstances beyond their control occur. This includes bad weather, problems at the airport, or a strike by air traffic controllers. In these instances, you will usually not be compensated as it is not the airline’s fault.
Midwest Airlines Compensation for Flight Cancellation
European Union Regulation 261/2004 states that airlines are required to inform passengers of flight cancellations at least 14 days before departure. If the airline doesn’t provide timely notification, you could qualify for flight cancellation compensation ranging from €250 to €600 per passenger, based on the distance of the flight. Nonetheless, 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 a different flight, passengers retain their claim for compensation if they still experience significant delays at their final destination. The compensation amount is determined based on two criteria: the distance of the flight and the duration of the delay, in line with the table provided 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 |
Midwest Airlines isn’t required to compensate you if they provide an alternative flight that departs and arrives around the same time as your original flight. Moreover, you generally won’t receive compensation if the flight is cancelled due to circumstances beyond the airline’s control, such as adverse weather conditions or when airline staff goes on strike.
Are Midwest Airlines Flights Covered By EU 261/2004?
EU Regulation 261 covers all flights departing from airports in the EU. It also covers flights arriving in the EU if the airline is based in the EU. This includes airlines from European Union member states as well as Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.
However, Midwest Airlines is not a European airline. Consequently, they aren’t required to pay you compensation if their flights operate outside of Europe. This applies even to 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 Midwest Airlines
If your travel plans have been affected by a flight cancellation or delay with Midwest Airlines, it’s crucial to know that you might be entitled to compensation under EU laws. That’s why it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the process of claiming compensation. Here’s what you need to do:
- Fill in this form. You’ll need to provide details such as 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 are well-versed in the EU laws well and will make every effort to get you your compensation. You are only charged if we win your case.
These steps will help you file your claim quickly and increase your chances of getting the compensation you’re entitled to. There may be plenty of time after your flight to submit a claim, but it’s best to do it as soon as you can while you still remember all the details.
What You Can Get Besides EU Flight Compensation
Midwest Airlines goes the additional mile to support passengers during travel disruptions by offering services that complement flight compensation.
Right to Care
When flight disruptions happen, Midwest Airlines is committed to ensuring passenger comfort through the Right to Care provision. This right, established under EU 261, becomes applicable when flight delays exceed two hours. The services provided include:
- Food and Drinks: Passengers are provided with food and drinks appropriate to the length of delay. This may include vouchers for airport restaurants or direct distribution of snacks and drinks.
- Communication: Midwest 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, Midwest 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 airport staff at the airport for immediate assistance.
Rebooking and Refunds
When Midwest Airlines cancels a flight, passengers have the option to get a full refund or rebook on an alternative flight. This option is crucial for minimizing travel inconveniences and helping passengers to manage unforeseen circumstances effectively.
- Full Refund: if you request a refund, you can receive 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 trip, Midwest Airlines will 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, Midwest Airlines will arrange accommodation and transfers as necessary. Additionally, 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 essential to keep in mind some additional considerations. If you’re rebooked on a lower class than originally booked, you’re eligible for a partial refund of the cost difference. Furthermore, if your booking includes connecting flights, Midwest Airlines shall help in rebooking your entire journey, not just the cancelled segment.
Whether choosing a refund or arranging a new flight, the procedures are designed to make this process as smooth as possible, understanding the stress and inconvenience caused by cancellations.