Southwest Airlines Compensation for Flight Delays and Cancellations

Passengers of Southwest Airlines who have experienced a cancelled or delayed flight have a legal right to compensation. According to EU 261, 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 get the compensation you have a right to from the airline.

Southwest Airlines Flight Delay or Cancellation Compensation

Before claiming the Southwest Airlines 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.

Southwest Airlines 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 flight delay compensation is calculated using the flight’s landing time, not the departure time, so the key to your claim is the actual time you land at your destination airport.

Let’s take a look at 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 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 receive compensation for every flight delay. Southwest Airlines is not obliged to provide compensation when extraordinary circumstances outside their control occur. This includes bad weather, problems at the airport, or air traffic controller strikes. In such situations, you will usually not be compensated as it is not the airline’s fault.

Southwest Airlines Compensation for Flight Cancellation

EU Regulation 261/2004 states that airlines have to notify passengers of flight cancellations at least 14 days before the scheduled flight. If the airline fails to notify you in time, you might be eligible for flight cancellation compensation ranging from €250 to €600 per passenger, based on the flight distance. Nevertheless, if the airline provides you with an alternate flight, it could potentially 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 right to compensation if they still experience significant delays at their final destination. The amount of compensation is calculated based on two factors: the flight distance and the duration 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

Southwest Airlines doesn’t have to compensate you if they provide an alternative flight that departs and arrives close to 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 adverse weather conditions or when airline workers go on strike.

Are Southwest Airlines Flights Covered By EU 261/2004?

EU Regulation 261 applies to all flights departing from EU airports. It also covers 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.

Nevertheless, Southwest Airlines isn’t a European airline. Therefore, they don’t have 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.

Itinerary	Covered by EU 261
Flights departing from EU airports	✔️ Yes
Flights arriving at EU airports	❌ No

How to Claim Compensation from Southwest Airlines

If your travel plans have been affected by a flight delay or cancellation with Southwest Airlines, it’s important 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:

• Fill in our form. You’ll need to provide details like your flight number, date, and the problem you faced.
• Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will take over. We know the EU laws well and will do our best to secure your compensation. You only pay us if we win your case.

These steps will help you file your claim quickly and increase your chances of getting the compensation you’re owed. You may have plenty of time after your flight to submit 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

Southwest Airlines goes the additional mile to support passengers during travel disruptions by offering services that complement flight compensation.

Right to Care

When flight disruptions happen, Southwest Airlines is committed to ensuring passenger comfort through the Right to Care provision. This right, established under EU 261, 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: Southwest 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, Southwest Airlines arranges hotel 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 instant assistance.

Rebooking and Refunds

When Southwest Airlines cancels a flight, passengers have the option to get a full refund or rebook on another flight. This option is essential for minimizing travel inconveniences and helping 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 trip, Southwest Airlines 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, Southwest 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 eligible for a partial refund of the cost difference. Additionally, if your booking includes connecting flights, Southwest Airlines will assist in rebooking your entire journey, not just the cancelled segment.

Whether opting for a refund or arranging a new flight, the procedures are designed to ensure this process as easy as possible, understanding the stress and inconvenience caused by cancellations.

Recent Flight Delays and Cancellations