Passengers of Southwest Airlines who have faced a cancelled or delayed flight have a legal right to compensation. According to EU Regulation 261/2004, airlines must compensate passengers if there’s 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. 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 In line with UK and EU regulations, passengers are eligible for up to €600 in compensation per person if their flight is delayed. It’s important to note, that this delay compensation depends on the flight’s landing 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 could be eligible for if your flight is delayed. The amount of compensation varies based on several factors, such as the duration of the delay and the distance 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 Keep in mind you may not be compensated for every flight delay. Southwest Airlines is not obliged to pay compensation when extraordinary circumstances beyond their control happen. This covers severe weather conditions, problems at the airport, or air traffic controller strikes. In these instances, you will generally not be given compensation as it is not the airline’s fault. Southwest Airlines Compensation for Flight Cancellation EU Regulation 261/2004 states that airlines have to inform passengers of 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, according to the flight distance. Nonetheless, 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 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 When accepting an alternative flight, passengers retain their right to compensation if they still experience significant delays at their final destination. The compensation amount is calculated according to two factors: the distance of the flight and the duration of the delay, according to 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 Southwest Airlines isn’t required to compensate you if they offer an alternative flight that departs and arrives close to the same time as your original flight. Also, you usually 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 Southwest Airlines Flights Covered By EU 261/2004? EU Regulation 261 covers all flights departing from EU airports. It also applies to 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. However, Southwest Airlines is not a European airline. Therefore, 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 Southwest Airlines If your travel plans have been affected by a flight delay or cancellation with Southwest Airlines, it’s crucial to understand that you might be entitled to compensation under EU regulations. For this reason, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the process of claiming compensation. Here’s what you need to do: Fill in 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 manage the process. We know the EU laws thoroughly and will do our best 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 increase your chances of getting the compensation you’re owed. There may be 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 extra mile to support passengers during travel interruptions by offering services that complement flight compensation. Right to Care When flight disruptions occur, Southwest Airlines is committed to ensuring passenger comfort through the Right to Care provision. This right, established under EU Regulation 261/2004, becomes applicable when flight delays exceed two hours. The services provided include: Food and Drinks: Passengers are provided with food and drinks 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 provides hotel room accommodation. This also 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 instant assistance. Rebooking and Refunds When Southwest Airlines cancels a flight, passengers can choose to receive a full refund or rebook on another flight. This flexibility is crucial for minimizing travel disruptions and supporting 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 shall 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, Southwest Airlines 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 crucial 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, Southwest Airlines 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 easy as possible, understanding the stress and inconvenience caused by cancellations.