Dealing with flight disruptions can be very annoying. However, the bright side is that the European Union has regulations to help travelers when things don’t go as planned. If you’re traveling by air in the EU, it’s wise to understand these protections. They can be useful if your flight gets messed up. Knowing what you’re entitled to can make managing travel complications less stressful. While it won’t make your flight go any faster, it can help you feel less stressed when things don’t go as planned. Passenger Rights under EU Regulation 261/2004 If your flight encounters issues in the European Union, you’ll get support. EU laws make sure 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 stranded 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 ask airline staff about these things if your plans change. They are obligated to inform you about your rights when there’s a significant delay or cancellation. SAS Flight Delay Compensation Flight delays from SAS can be really annoying. However there’s a silver lining: if you’re delayed for more than three hours owing to the airline’s fault, you might be able to get some compensation. Laws in the UK and EU are on your side. You could get up to €600 per person. What is important is when you land, not when you leave. So keep an eye on your arrival time if you want to seek compensation. How much you get depends on your flight distance. A brief trip won’t yield as much as a longer flight, even if they’re both delayed equally. Want to know exactly how much you could get? Take a look at the table below to see the potential reimbursement amounts: Less than 3 hoursBetween 3-4 hoursFour hours +Distance0€250€250All flights up to 1500 km0€400€400All flights between 1500 km and 3500 km0€400€400All intra-EU flights over 3500 km0€300€600All non-EU flights over 3500 km SAS Flight Cancellation Compensation Europe has laws to help you if your flight gets cancelled. Here’s what you should know: If your flight is cancelled within two weeks of your scheduled departure, you may be entitled to compensation of up to €600. However, there’s a condition – the airline can avoid paying if they can get you on another flight that doesn’t mess up your plans too much. The airline can avoid paying you if they provide an alternative flight that meets the following conditions: Advance NoticeRe-routing Requirements14 DaysNone7 – 13 DaysAlternative flight departing no more than 2 hours before and arriving less than 4 hours after the original flightLess than 7 DaysAlternative flight departing no more than 1 hour before and arriving less than 2 hours after the original flight If you accept another flight from the airline, you can still get compensation. The key factor is your arrival time at your destination. How much money you might get is determined by a couple of points: The length of your flight How late you arrive Therefore, even if you arrive later than planned, you could still be eligible for compensation. Look at the table below for more information: 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 The airline may not need to compensate you if they can provide transportation to your destination, close to the original schedule. Even if you’re just a little late, you might not get any compensation. How to Claim Compensation from SAS It’s crucial to understand how to claim the compensation you deserve under EU Regulation 261/2004. Here’s the process: Complete 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 know the EU laws well and will make every effort to get you your compensation. You only incur a fee if we win your case. Keep in mind that you have the right as a passenger to claim compensation for a delayed or cancelled flight. Regardless of whether your flight was delayed as a result of operational reasons or technical difficulties, if it was not caused by extraordinary circumstances like adverse weather conditions or air traffic control decisions, you are entitled to compensation. Which SAS Flights are Covered by EU261? The European Union’s laws for protecting air passengers are far-reaching. They cover every flight leaving a European Union member state airport and any flight coming into an airport within an EU country provided the airline is based in the EU. ItineraryCovered by EU 261Flights departing EU airports✅ CoveredFlights arriving at EU airports✅ Covered These laws also cover airlines from Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland. This means if you’re traveling with any airline within, to, or from Europe, you probably have these rights. It’s helpful to know about these regulations – they’re there to assist you if problems occur with your flight. They ensure you’re not abandoned when your travel plans go awry. When You Are Not Entitled to Compensation SAS isn’t always responsible when flights are delayed or cancelled. Sometimes, situations arise that the airline has no control over, like severe weather conditions or unexpected problems. For example, if there’s a sudden storm, an airport emergency, or an air traffic control strike, SAS is not liable. These are called “extraordinary circumstances” that the airline has no control over. When these things happen, you probably won’t get any compensation. The airline isn’t seen as doing anything wrong when these unexpected issues come up.