Dealing with flight issues can be really frustrating. However, the good news 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 be aware of these regulations. They can help you out if your flight goes off course. Understanding your rights can make handling travel complications a lot simpler. While it won’t get you to your destination quicker, it can help you feel less stressed when things get disrupted. Passenger Rights under EU Regulation 261/2004 If your flight encounters issues in the EU, you’ll get help. EU laws guarantee airlines look after their passengers when things go wrong. When flights are delayed or cancelled, airlines must provide you: Food and drinks Accommodation if you’re stuck overnight Transportation to and from the hotel Two free phone calls, emails, or faxes If you’re experiencing a significant delay or your flight is cancelled, you might also receive: A refund A different flight option Compensation to make up for the inconvenience Remember to ask airline workers about these things if your plans change. They are obligated to inform you about your rights when there’s a significant delay or cancellation. Smartwings Flight Delay Compensation Travel setbacks from Smartwings can be very frustrating. However there’s a silver lining: if you’re stuck waiting for more than three hours due to the airline’s fault, you might be able to get some compensation. Regulations in the UK and EU are in your favor. You could get up to €600 per person. What is important is when you reach your destination, not when you depart. So keep an eye on your arrival time if you want to seek compensation. The amount you receive depends on how far you’re flying. A brief trip won’t be compensated as highly as a long one, even if they’re both delayed the same amount of time. Curious about exactly how much you could get? Check out the table below to see what compensation you could receive: 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 Smartwings Flight Cancellation Compensation The European Union has regulations to assist you if your flight is cancelled. Here’s what you should know: In the event of a flight cancellation within two weeks of your planned travel date, you could be eligible for compensation as much as €600. But keep in mind – the airline doesn’t have to pay if they offer you an alternative flight that doesn’t significantly disrupt your travel. 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 agree to take an alternative flight from the airline, you can still receive compensation. What matters most is your arrival time at your destination. Your potential compensation is based on two factors: The length of your flight The time difference between the scheduled and actual arrival So, even if the new flight doesn’t get there on time, you could still be eligible for compensation. Look at the table below to see more details: 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 might not have to compensate you if they can provide transportation to your destination, close to the original schedule. Even with a slight delay, you might not get any compensation. How to Claim Compensation from Smartwings It’s crucial to understand the process of claiming the compensation you’re entitled to under EU Regulation 261/2004. Here’s what you need to do: Fill in our form. You’ll need to provide details including your flight number, date, and what went wrong. Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will take over. We are well-versed in the EU laws thoroughly and will strive to obtain your rightful compensation. You are only charged if we win your case. Don’t forget that you’re entitled as a passenger to claim compensation for a cancelled or delayed flight. Regardless of whether your flight was delayed as a result of operational reasons or technical issues, if it was not caused by extraordinary circumstances like severe weather or air traffic control decisions, you qualify for compensation. Which Smartwings Flights are Covered by EU261? The air passenger protection regulations of the European Union are comprehensive in scope. They cover any flight taking off from an airport in an EU member state and to all flights arriving at a European Union member state airport if the flight is operated by an EU airline. ItineraryCovered by EU 261Flights departing EU airports✅ CoveredFlights arriving at EU airports✅ Covered These regulations also include airlines from Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland. This means if you’re traveling with any airline to, from, or within Europe, you most likely have these rights. It’s important to know about these regulations – they exist to support you if issues arise with your flight. They ensure you’re not left on your own when your travel plans go awry. When You Are Not Entitled to Compensation Smartwings is not always at fault when flights are delayed or cancelled. Sometimes, situations arise that the airline has no control over, like really bad weather or unexpected problems. For example, if there’s a sudden storm, an emergency at the airport, or an air traffic control strike, Smartwings 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 is not considered to be doing anything wrong when these unexpected issues arise.