Passengers of South African Airways who have faced a cancelled or delayed flight have a legal right to compensation. Under EU Regulation 261/2004, an airline is obliged to compensate passengers if there’s a significant disruption. Here, we will look at your rights and the steps you should follow to obtain the compensation you are entitled to 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 regulations, passengers may be entitled to up to €600 in compensation per person if their flight experiences a delay. It’s crucial to note, that this delay compensation depends on the flight’s arrival time, not the departure time, so the key to your claim is the actual time you reach your destination airport. Let’s take a look at how much compensation you may receive if your flight is delayed. The amount of compensation is determined by several factors, including the duration of the delay and the route length of your flight: 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 Be aware you may not always be compensated for every flight delay. South African Airways isn’t required to compensate passengers when extraordinary circumstances they cannot control happen. This includes severe weather conditions, airport issues, or air traffic controller strikes. In such situations, you will usually not be given compensation as it is not the airline’s fault. South African Airways Compensation for Flight Cancellation EU 261 states that airlines must inform 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 compensation of €250-600 per passenger, depending on the flight distance. Nevertheless, if the airline provides you with an alternate flight, it may avoid paying compensation for the cancelled flight if the following conditions are met: 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 Even when accepting a different flight, passengers retain their claim for compensation if they still experience significant delays at their final destination. The amount of compensation is determined based on two factors: the flight distance and the length of the delay, in line with the table below: 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 South African Airways isn’t required to compensate you if they offer an alternative flight that departs and arrives near the same time as your original flight. Moreover, you usually won’t receive compensation if the flight is cancelled due to circumstances beyond the airline’s control, such as adverse weather conditions or when airline staff goes on strike. Are South African Airways Flights Covered By EU 261/2004? European Union Regulation 261 applies to all flights departing from European Union airports. This regulation also extends to flights arriving in the EU if the airline originates in the EU. This includes airlines from EU countries as well as Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland. However, South African Airways isn’t a European airline. Consequently, they aren’t required to pay you compensation if their flights operate outside of Europe. This is true even for their flights to Europe if they start outside the EU. ItineraryCovered by EU 261Flights departing from EU airports✔️ YesFlights 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 essential to understand that you might be entitled to compensation under EU regulations. This is 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 like your flight number, date, and what went wrong. Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will take over. We know the EU laws thoroughly and will do our best to obtain your rightful compensation. You are only charged if we win your case. These steps will assist you in filing your claim quickly and increase your chances of receiving the compensation you’re entitled to. You might have plenty of time after your flight to make a claim, but it’s best to do 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 extra mile to support passengers during travel interruptions by providing services that complement flight compensation. Right to Care When flight disruptions happen, 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 arranges hotel accommodation. This 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 immediate assistance. Rebooking and Refunds When South African Airways cancels a flight, passengers have the option to receive a full refund or rebook on a different flight. This option is essential for minimizing travel inconveniences and supporting passengers to manage unforeseen circumstances efficiently. 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, South African Airways will 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, South African Airways shall 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 essential 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. Additionally, if your booking involves connecting flights, South African Airways will assist 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.