Coping with flight problems can be really frustrating. However, the bright side is that the European Union has regulations to help travelers when things go wrong. If you’re flying in the EU, it’s smart to understand these regulations. They can be useful if your flight is disrupted.
Being aware of your options can make handling travel problems less stressful. While it won’t get you to your destination quicker, it can help you feel less stressed when things don’t go as planned.
Passenger Rights under EU Regulation 261/2004
When you’re flying in the EU, rest assured that there’s assistance available in the case of a flight disruption. EU laws ensure airlines assist their passengers when things go wrong.
When flights are delayed or cancelled, airlines must offer you:
- Food and drinks
- A hotel room 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 get:
- A refund
- A different flight option
- Compensation to make up for the inconvenience
Don’t forget to ask airline representatives about these things if your plans change. They are obligated to inform you about your rights when there’s a significant delay or cancellation.
SmartLynx Airlines Flight Delay Compensation
Delays with flights from SmartLynx Airlines can be really annoying. However there’s a silver lining: if you’re stranded for more than three hours owing to the airline’s fault, you might be able to get some compensation.
Regulations in the UK and EU are on your side. You could receive up to €600 per person. What is important is when you land, not when you depart. So keep an eye on your arrival time if you want to seek flight delay compensation.
Your compensation depends on how far you’re flying. A short flight won’t be compensated as highly as a longer flight, even if they’re both delayed for the same duration.
Interested in learning exactly how much you could get? Take a look at the table below to see what compensation you could receive:
| 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 |
SmartLynx Airlines Flight Cancellation Compensation
The European Union has laws to protect you if your flight is cancelled. Here’s what you should know:
In the event of a flight cancellation within two weeks of you’re supposed to leave, you may be entitled to compensation of up to €600. But there’s a catch – the airline doesn’t have to pay if they rebook you on a different flight that aligns closely with your original schedule.
The airline may not need to compensate you if they provide an alternative 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 accept a different flight from the airline, you can still receive compensation. The key factor is when you reach your final destination.
The amount you could receive is based on two factors:
- The distance of your flight
- The delay in your arrival
As a result, even if the alternative flight is delayed, you may still receive some compensation.
Look at the table below 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 may not need to compensate you if they can provide a transfer to your destination, close to the original schedule. Even with a slight delay, you might not be eligible for flight cancellation compensation.
How to Claim Compensation from SmartLynx Airlines
It’s crucial to be aware of how to request the compensation you deserve under EU Regulation 261/2004. Here’s what you need to do:
- Complete this 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 are well-versed in the EU laws comprehensively and will do our best to obtain your rightful compensation. You only incur a fee if we win your case.
Don’t forget that you’re entitled as a passenger to claim compensation for a delayed or cancelled flight. No matter whether your flight was delayed because of operational reasons or mechanical problems, if it was not caused by extraordinary circumstances like inclement weather or air traffic control decisions, you are entitled to compensation.
Which SmartLynx Airlines Flights are Covered by EU261?
The EU’s air passenger protection laws have a wide-ranging scope. They cover all flights departing from an airport within an EU country and any flight coming into an airport in an EU member state provided the airline is based in the EU.
| Itinerary | Covered by EU 261 |
| Flights departing EU airports | ✅ Covered |
| Flights arriving at EU airports | ✅ Covered |
These laws also apply to airlines from Switzerland, Iceland, and Norway. This means if you’re flying with any airline within, to, or from Europe, you probably have these rights. It’s important to know about these regulations – they’re in place to support you if issues arise with your flight. They make sure you’re not abandoned when your trip arrangements fall through.
When You Are Not Entitled to Compensation
SmartLynx Airlines is not always responsible when flights are delayed or cancelled. At times, things happen that the airline has no control over, like severe weather conditions or unforeseen issues.
For example, if there’s unexpected severe weather, an urgent situation at the airport, or a strike by air traffic controllers, SmartLynx Airlines cannot be held accountable. These are called “extraordinary circumstances” that the airline can’t do anything about.
When these things happen, you are unlikely to get any compensation. The airline isn’t viewed as doing anything wrong when these unforeseen difficulties arise.