Passengers of National Airlines who have faced a cancelled or delayed 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. In this article, we’ll examine your rights and the steps you should follow to receive the compensation you have a right to from the airline.
National Airlines Flight Delay or Cancellation Compensation
Before claiming the National 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.
National Airlines Compensation for Flight Delay
According to UK and EU regulations, passengers may be entitled to up to €600 in compensation per person if their flight arrives late. It’s important to note that this flight delay compensation is calculated using the flight’s arrival time, not the departure time, so the key to your claim is the actual time you arrive at your destination airport.
Let’s take a look at how much compensation you can get if your flight is delayed. The amount of compensation is determined by various criteria, including the duration of the delay and the distance 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 always receive compensation for every flight delay. National Airlines is not obliged to pay compensation when extraordinary circumstances outside their control occur. This covers severe weather conditions, problems at the airport, or a strike by air traffic controllers. In such situations, you will usually not be given compensation as it is not the airline’s fault.
National Airlines Compensation for Flight Cancellation
EU 261 states that airlines must notify passengers of flight cancellations at least 14 days before departure. If the airline doesn’t provide timely notification, you may be entitled to flight cancellation compensation ranging from €250 to €600 per passenger, based on the distance of the flight. Nevertheless, if the airline provides you with an alternate flight, it may avoid paying 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 |
When accepting an alternative flight, passengers retain their entitlement to compensation if they still experience significant delays at their final destination. The compensation amount is calculated based on two criteria: the flight distance and the length of the delay, according to 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 |
National Airlines doesn’t have to compensate you if they offer an alternative flight that departs and arrives near 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 bad weather or when airline workers go on strike.
Are National Airlines Flights Covered By EU 261/2004?
EU 261 covers all flights departing from airports in the EU. It also applies to 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, National Airlines is not a European airline. Consequently, they aren’t required 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 National Airlines
If your travel plans have been affected by a flight cancellation or delay with National Airlines, it’s important to understand 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:
- 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 handle the rest. We know the EU laws thoroughly and will make every effort to obtain your rightful compensation. You are only charged 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. You might have plenty of time after your flight to submit 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
National Airlines goes the additional mile to support passengers during travel interruptions by providing services that complement flight compensation.
Right to Care
When flight disruptions occur, National Airlines is committed to ensuring passenger comfort through the Right to Care provision. This right, established under EU 261, kicks in 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: National 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, National Airlines provides hotel accommodation. This includes transportation to and from 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 instant assistance.
Rebooking and Refunds
When National Airlines cancels a flight, passengers can choose to receive a full refund or rebook on another flight. This option is crucial for minimizing travel disruptions and assisting passengers to handle unforeseen circumstances successfully.
- 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, National 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, National Airlines will arrange accommodation and transfers as necessary. Furthermore, you have the right to be rebooked, including 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 entitled to a partial refund of the cost difference. Additionally, if your booking involves connecting flights, National 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 ensure this process as easy as possible, understanding the stress and inconvenience caused by cancellations.