South African Airways Compensation for Flight Delays and Cancellations

Passengers of South African Airways who have faced a cancelled or delayed flight have a legal right to compensation. According to EU Regulation 261/2004, airlines must compensate passengers in case of a significant disruption. In this article, we’ll examine your rights and the actions you need to take to get the compensation you deserve from the airline.

South African Airways Flight Delay or Cancellation Compensation

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

South African Airways Compensation for Flight Delay

According to UK and EU laws, passengers are eligible for up to €600 in compensation per person if their flight experiences a delay. It’s crucial to note that this flight delay compensation is based on the flight’s arrival time, not the departure time, so the key to your claim relies on the actual time you reach your final destination.

Let’s take a look at how much compensation you could be eligible for if your flight is delayed. The amount of compensation depends on various criteria, such as the duration of the delay and the distance 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 always be compensated for every flight delay. South African Airways isn’t required to pay compensation when extraordinary circumstances they cannot control arise. This includes bad weather, airport issues, or a strike by air traffic controllers. In these instances, you will generally not be compensated as it is not the airline’s fault.

South African Airways Compensation for Flight Cancellation

EU 261 states that airlines have to notify passengers of flight cancellations at least 14 days before departure. If the airline fails to notify you in time, you might be eligible for flight cancellation compensation ranging from €250 to €600 per passenger, depending on the distance of the flight. Nonetheless, 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 another flight, passengers retain their entitlement to compensation if they still experience significant delays at their final destination. The compensation amount is calculated according to two criteria: the flight distance and the length of the delay, in line with 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

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

EU Regulation 261 covers all flights departing from airports in the EU. It also applies to flights arriving in the EU if the airline is based in the EU. This includes airlines from EU countries as well as Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.

Nevertheless, South African Airways isn’t a European airline. Therefore, they are not obliged 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 South African Airways

If your travel plans have been affected by a flight delay or cancellation with South African Airways, it’s crucial to understand that you might be entitled to compensation under EU laws. That’s why it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the process of claiming compensation. Here’s what you need to do:

• Complete this 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 handle the rest. We understand the EU laws well and will make every effort to obtain your rightful compensation. You only incur a fee if we win your case.

These steps will help you file your claim quickly and improve your chances of obtaining the compensation you’re owed. 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

South African Airways goes the additional mile to support passengers during travel disruptions by providing services that complement flight compensation.

Right to Care

When flight disruptions occur, South African Airways is committed to ensuring passenger comfort through the Right to Care provision. The right, established under EU Regulation 261/2004, kicks in 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: South African Airways 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, South African Airways provides hotel room accommodation. This also covers 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 airline staff at the airport for immediate assistance.

Rebooking and Refunds

When South African Airways cancels a flight, passengers have the option to get a full refund or rebook on another flight. This flexibility is essential for minimizing travel inconveniences and assisting passengers to handle unforeseen circumstances successfully.

• 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 journey, South African Airways will provide rebooking on the next available flight to your destination. You also have the option to select an alternative route if there are seats available. If the next available flight is scheduled for the following day or later, South African Airways will arrange accommodation and transfers as needed. Furthermore, you have the right to be rebooked, including 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. Additionally, if your booking involves connecting flights, South African Airways 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 easy as possible, understanding the stress and inconvenience caused by cancellations.

Recent Flight Delays and Cancellations