Dealing with flight problems can be quite upsetting. However, the positive thing 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 a good idea to know about these regulations. They can help you out if your flight is disrupted.
Understanding your rights can make dealing with travel complications less stressful. While it won’t speed up your journey, it can help you feel less stressed when things get disrupted.
Passenger Rights under EU Regulation 261/2004
EU air passengers are protected if their flight experiences difficulties. EU laws guarantee airlines assist their passengers when things go wrong.
When flights are delayed or cancelled, airlines must offer you:
- Meals and beverages
- Accommodation if you’re stuck overnight
- Transportation to and from the hotel
- Two free phone calls, emails, or faxes
If you’re delayed for a long time or your flight is cancelled, you might also be entitled to:
- A refund
- An alternative flight
- Compensation to make up for the inconvenience
Remember to inquire with airline workers about these entitlements if your plans change. They must inform you about your rights when there’s a significant delay or cancellation.
SAS Flight Delay Compensation
Travel setbacks from SAS can be really annoying. However there’s a bright side: 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 is important is when you arrive, not when you leave. So keep an eye on your arrival time if you want to seek flight delay compensation.
Your compensation depends on the length of your journey. A short flight won’t be compensated as highly as a long one, even if they’re both delayed the same amount of time.
Interested in learning exactly how much you could get? Take a look at 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 |
SAS Flight Cancellation Compensation
The EU has laws to assist you in case of flight cancellation. Here’s the important information:
In the event of a flight cancellation within two weeks of your planned travel date, you might get compensation as much as €600. However, there’s a condition – the airline doesn’t have to pay if they offer you an alternative flight that doesn’t mess up your plans too much.
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 an alternative flight from the airline, you can still get compensation. What matters most is your arrival time at your destination.
The amount you could receive is determined by two things:
- How far you’re flying
- The delay in your arrival
Therefore, even if you arrive later than planned, you may still receive some compensation.
Look at the following table to understand better:
| 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 might not be required 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 SAS
It’s essential to be aware of the process of claiming the compensation you deserve under EU Regulation 261/2004. Here’s how to do it:
- Complete our 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 understand the EU laws well and will strive to get you your compensation. You only pay us if we win your case.
Keep in mind that it is your right as a passenger to claim compensation for a delayed or cancelled flight. Regardless of whether your flight was delayed due to operational reasons or mechanical problems, if it was not caused by extraordinary circumstances such as inclement weather or air traffic control decisions, you have a right to compensation.
Which SAS Flights are Covered by EU261?
The air passenger protection regulations of the European Union are far-reaching. They cover all flights departing from a European Union member state airport and any flight coming into a European Union member state airport if the flight is operated by an EU airline.
| Itinerary | Covered by EU 261 |
| Flights departing EU airports | ✅ Covered |
| Flights arriving at EU airports | ✅ Covered |
These laws also cover airlines from Switzerland, Iceland, and Norway. This means if you’re traveling with any airline to, within, or from Europe, you most likely have these rights. It’s helpful to know about these laws – they exist to support you if issues arise with your flight. They ensure you’re not abandoned when your trip arrangements fall through.
When You Are Not Entitled to Compensation
SAS isn’t necessarily at fault when flights are delayed or cancelled. At times, situations arise that the airline is powerless against, like extreme weather or unforeseen issues.
For instance, if there’s an abrupt major weather event, an urgent situation at the airport, or a strike by air traffic controllers, SAS is not liable. These are called “extraordinary circumstances” that the airline can’t do anything about.
When these events take place, you probably won’t get any compensation. The airline isn’t viewed as doing anything wrong when these unexpected issues occur.