Passengers of Southwind Airlines who have faced a cancelled or delayed flight are legally entitled to compensation. Under EU 261, airlines must compensate passengers when there is a significant disruption. In this article, we will look at your rights and the steps you need to take to get the compensation you deserve from the airline. Southwind Airlines Flight Delay or Cancellation Compensation Before claiming the Southwind Airlines compensation, you should be aware of the conditions and the amount of compensation you may expect to get in the event of flight cancellation or delay. Southwind Airlines Compensation for Flight Delay According to UK and EU regulations, passengers are eligible for up to €600 in compensation per person if their flight arrives late. It’s important to note, that this 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 destination airport. Here’s an overview of how much compensation you could be eligible for if your flight is delayed. The amount of compensation is determined by several factors, such as 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 Remember you may not be compensated for every flight delay. Southwind Airlines is not obliged to compensate passengers when extraordinary circumstances outside their control arise. This covers severe weather conditions, airport issues, or a strike by air traffic controllers. In such situations, you will generally not be given compensation as it is not the airline’s fault. Southwind Airlines Compensation for Flight Cancellation EU 261 states that airlines are required to inform passengers of flight cancellations at least 14 days before departure. If the airline doesn’t provide timely notification, you might be eligible for compensation of €250-600 per passenger, based on the distance of the flight. 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 right to compensation if they still experience significant delays at their final destination. The compensation amount is calculated according to two factors: the flight distance and the length 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 Southwind Airlines isn’t required to compensate you if they offer an alternative flight that departs and arrives around 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 bad weather or when airline workers go on strike. Are Southwind Airlines Flights Covered By EU 261/2004? European Union Regulation 261 covers all flights departing from EU airports. It also covers 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. However, Southwind Airlines is not a European airline. Therefore, they don’t have 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. ItineraryCovered by EU 261Flights departing from EU airports✔️ YesFlights arriving at EU airports❌ No How to Claim Compensation from Southwind Airlines If your travel plans have been affected by a flight cancellation or delay with Southwind Airlines, it’s essential to be aware that you might be entitled to compensation under EU regulations. This is 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 including your flight number, date, and what went wrong. Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will handle the rest. We know the EU laws comprehensively and will make every effort 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 obtaining the compensation you’re entitled to. There may be plenty of time after your flight to submit 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 Southwind Airlines goes the extra mile to help passengers during travel disruptions by providing services that complement flight compensation. Right to Care When flight disruptions occur, Southwind Airlines is committed to ensuring passenger comfort through the Right to Care provision. This 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: Southwind 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, Southwind Airlines arranges hotel accommodation. This covers transportation to and from 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 Southwind Airlines cancels a flight, passengers have the option to receive a full refund or rebook on an alternative flight. This flexibility is crucial for minimizing travel disruptions and assisting passengers to manage unforeseen circumstances efficiently. 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, Southwind Airlines 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, Southwind Airlines shall arrange accommodation and transfers as necessary. Additionally, 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 includes connecting flights, Southwind Airlines will assist 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 smooth as possible, understanding the stress and inconvenience caused by cancellations.