SkyWest Airlines Compensation for Flight Delays and Cancellations

Passengers of SkyWest Airlines who have experienced a flight delay or cancellation 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 need to take to receive the compensation you deserve from the airline.

SkyWest Airlines Flight Delay or Cancellation Compensation

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

SkyWest Airlines Compensation for Flight Delay

In line with UK and EU laws, passengers can receive up to €600 in compensation per person if their flight arrives late. It’s crucial to note that this flight delay compensation depends on the flight’s arrival time, not the departure time, so the key to your claim relies on the actual time you land at your destination airport.

Here’s an overview of how much compensation you could be eligible for if your flight is delayed. The amount of compensation varies based on various criteria, such as 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

Keep in mind you may not be compensated for every flight delay. SkyWest Airlines isn’t required to compensate passengers when extraordinary circumstances they cannot control occur. This covers bad weather, airport issues, or air traffic controller strikes. In such situations, you will usually not be compensated as it is not the airline’s fault.

SkyWest Airlines Compensation for Flight Cancellation

EU Regulation 261/2004 states that airlines have to inform passengers of cancellations at least 14 days before the scheduled flight. If the airline doesn’t provide timely notification, you might be eligible for flight cancellation compensation ranging from €250 to €600 per passenger, according to the distance of the flight. Nevertheless, 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 an alternative flight, passengers retain their claim for compensation if they still experience significant delays at their final destination. The compensation amount is determined based on two factors: the flight distance 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

SkyWest Airlines doesn’t have to compensate you if they provide an alternative flight that departs and arrives around 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 staff goes on strike.

Are SkyWest Airlines Flights Covered By EU 261/2004?

European Union Regulation 261 covers all flights departing from EU airports. This regulation also extends to 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, SkyWest Airlines is not a European airline. Therefore, 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 SkyWest Airlines

If your travel plans have been affected by a flight delay or cancellation with SkyWest Airlines, it’s important to know that you might be entitled to compensation under EU regulations. That’s why 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 problem you faced.
• Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will manage the process. We are well-versed in the EU laws comprehensively and will do our best to get you your compensation. You are only charged if we win your case.

These steps will help you file your claim quickly and improve your chances of getting the compensation you’re entitled to. You may have plenty of time after your flight to make a claim, but it’s best to file it as soon as you can while you still remember all the details.

What You Can Get Besides EU Flight Compensation

SkyWest Airlines goes the additional mile to help passengers during travel interruptions by offering services that complement flight compensation.

Right to Care

When flight disruptions occur, SkyWest Airlines is committed to ensuring passenger comfort through the Right to Care provision. This right, established under EU Regulation 261/2004, kicks in when flight delays exceed two hours. The services provided include:

• Meals and Refreshments: Passengers are provided with food and drinks appropriate to the length of delay. This may include vouchers for airport restaurants or direct distribution of snacks and drinks.
• Communication: SkyWest 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, SkyWest Airlines 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 instant assistance.

Rebooking and Refunds

When SkyWest Airlines cancels a flight, passengers can choose to get a full refund or rebook on another flight. This flexibility is crucial for minimizing travel interruptions and assisting passengers to handle unforeseen circumstances efficiently.

• Full Refund: if you request a refund, you can get 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, SkyWest Airlines 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, SkyWest Airlines will arrange accommodation and transfers as needed. Furthermore, 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 entitled to a partial refund of the cost difference. Furthermore, if your booking involves connecting flights, SkyWest Airlines shall help in rebooking your entire journey, not only the cancelled segment.

Whether opting for 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