Passengers of Nouvelair 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 will look at your rights and the actions you need to take to get the compensation you are entitled to from the airline.
Nouvelair Flight Delay or Cancellation Compensation
Before claiming the Nouvelair 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.
Nouvelair 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 important to note that this flight delay compensation is calculated using the flight’s landing time, not the departure time, so the key to your claim hinges on the actual time you reach your destination airport.
Let’s take a look at how much compensation you may receive if your flight is delayed. The amount of compensation is determined by several factors, 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 |
Keep in mind you might not receive compensation for every flight delay. Nouvelair isn’t required to compensate passengers when extraordinary circumstances outside their control happen. This includes severe weather conditions, problems at the airport, or air traffic controller strikes. In these instances, you will usually not be compensated as it is not the airline’s fault.
Nouvelair Compensation for Flight Cancellation
EU Regulation 261/2004 states that airlines have to inform passengers of flight 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, based on the distance of the flight. Nonetheless, if the airline provides you with an alternate flight, it may 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 |
When accepting another 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 distance of the flight and the length 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 |
Nouvelair is not obliged to compensate you if they offer an alternative flight that departs and arrives around the same time as your original flight. Moreover, you usually won’t receive compensation if the flight is cancelled due to circumstances beyond the airline’s control, such as bad weather or when airline staff goes on strike.
Are Nouvelair Flights Covered By EU 261/2004?
EU 261 covers all flights departing from European Union airports. It also covers 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.
However, Nouvelair is not a European airline. Consequently, 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 Nouvelair
If your travel plans have been affected by a flight delay or cancellation with Nouvelair, it’s crucial to know that you might be entitled to compensation under EU regulations. This is why it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the process of claiming compensation. Here’s what you need to do:
- Fill in our form. You’ll need to provide details such as your flight number, date, and what went wrong.
- Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will handle the rest. We understand the EU laws thoroughly and will make every effort to secure your compensation. You only incur a fee if we win your case.
These steps will assist you in filing your claim quickly and increase your chances of receiving the compensation you’re entitled to. There may be plenty of time after your flight to make 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
Nouvelair goes the extra mile to help passengers during travel interruptions by providing services that complement flight compensation.
Right to Care
When flight disruptions happen, Nouvelair 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: Nouvelair 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, Nouvelair arranges hotel room accommodation. This also 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 Nouvelair cancels a flight, passengers can choose to get a full refund or rebook on a different flight. This flexibility is essential for minimizing travel inconveniences and helping passengers to handle unforeseen circumstances efficiently.
- 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 journey, Nouvelair 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, Nouvelair shall arrange accommodation and transfers as needed. 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 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. Furthermore, if your booking involves connecting flights, Nouvelair will assist in rebooking your entire journey, not only 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.