Saudia Compensation for Flight Delays and Cancellations

Passengers of Saudia who have experienced a cancelled or delayed flight are legally entitled to compensation. According to EU 261, an airline is obliged to compensate passengers in case of a significant disruption. Here, we’ll examine your rights and the steps you need to take to get the compensation you have a right to from the airline.

Saudia Flight Delay or Cancellation Compensation

Before claiming the Saudia compensation, you should be aware of the conditions and the amount of compensation you may expect to get in the event of flight cancellation or delay.

Saudia Compensation for Flight Delay

In line with UK and EU regulations, passengers are eligible for up to €600 in compensation per person if their flight is delayed. It’s crucial 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 is the actual time you arrive at your destination airport.

Let’s take a look at how much compensation you could be eligible for if your flight is delayed. The amount of compensation varies based on several factors, including 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 receive compensation for every flight delay. Saudia isn’t required to provide compensation when extraordinary circumstances beyond their control occur. This covers bad weather, airport issues, or air traffic controller strikes. In such situations, you will generally not be compensated as it is not the airline’s fault.

Saudia Compensation for Flight Cancellation

EU Regulation 261/2004 states that airlines are required to notify passengers of flight cancellations at least 14 days before the scheduled flight. 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 flight distance. 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

When accepting a different flight, passengers retain their entitlement to compensation if they still experience significant delays at their final destination. The amount of compensation is determined based on two factors: the distance of the flight and the length of the delay, according to the table 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

Saudia doesn’t have to compensate you if they offer an alternative flight that departs and arrives near the same time as your original flight. Additionally, 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 Saudia Flights Covered By EU 261/2004?

European Union Regulation 261 covers all flights departing from European Union airports. 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.

Nevertheless, Saudia isn’t 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 Saudia

If your travel plans have been affected by a flight delay or cancellation with Saudia, it’s essential to understand that you might be entitled to compensation under EU laws. For this reason, it’s essential 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 including your flight number, date, and the issue you encountered.
• Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will take over. We understand the EU laws well and will do our best to obtain your rightful compensation. You are only charged if we win your case.

These steps will help you file your claim quickly and improve your chances of receiving 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

Saudia goes the extra mile to help passengers during travel interruptions by offering services that complement flight compensation.

Right to Care

When flight disruptions occur, Saudia 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 meals and beverages appropriate to the length of delay. This may include vouchers for airport restaurants or direct distribution of snacks and drinks.
• Communication: Saudia 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, Saudia provides hotel accommodation. This also 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 airport staff at the airport for immediate assistance.

Rebooking and Refunds

When Saudia cancels a flight, passengers can choose to get a full refund or rebook on a different flight. This flexibility is essential for minimizing travel disruptions and assisting passengers to manage 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, Saudia shall 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, Saudia shall 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 important 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 involves connecting flights, Saudia 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.

Recent Flight Delays and Cancellations