SpiceJet Compensation and Reimbursement for Cancelled and Delayed Flights

Whenever flights get delayed or cancelled, it can be frustrating and inconvenient for passengers. However, the EU has a regulation 261/2004 that helps protect passengers in such situations. According to EU261, if your flight is disrupted, the airline has to provide you with compensation and assistance.

Passenger Rights Under EU 261/2004

EU Regulation 261 is the regulation that covers the rights of air passengers. More precisely, this legislation covers different situations, including flight cancellations, delays, rebooking, etc., and requires airlines to handle individual cases with care and fairness. If the situation occurs due to the airline’s fault, any passenger who underwent certain inconveniences has a right to receive compensation. Furthermore, travelers may be eligible for certain benefits, which we will discuss further in the article.

Right to Compensation

EU Regulation 261 contains rules concerning the process of compensation, including assistance to travelers who suffered from flight problems. Specifically, the amount of compensation you can be eligible for is up to 600 euros per person. This sum varies, based on your specific case.

Compensation for SpiceJet Flight Cancellation

First and foremost, travelers should be aware that the airline is required to notify them about the cancellation of their flight. If the airline notifies you less than fourteen days before the date of your flight and does not offer any alternative flight, the airline, according to the EU 261, is obligated to compensate you compensation of 250 – 600 euros.

At the same time, if a passenger is offered an alternative flight but reaches his destination later than the scheduled arrival time of the original flight, the passenger might be eligible for compensation. The table below shows the airline’s obligations depending on the length of the delay:

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

Compensation for SpiceJet Flight Delay

When a flight is delayed for three or more hours, the airline is required to provide compensation. If the flight is delayed for 5 hours or more, the passenger can expect a ticket refund or another flight to the final destination.

Furthermore, in such situations, the airline also must provide a passenger with food, drinks, and accommodation. See key information about compensation in the table below:

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

Right to Care

Right to Care relates to a specific aspect of European Union Regulation 261/2004, which sets out common rules on compensation and assistance for travelers in cases of flight cancellations, long delays, or denied boarding.

The “Right to Care” under EU261/2004 requires airlines to provide certain services and assistance to passengers affected by significant delays or cancellations. These include:

• Food and beverages appropriate for the waiting time
• Hotel accommodation if an overnight stay becomes necessary
• Transport between the airport and the place of accommodation
• Two free phone calls, emails, or faxes

Upgrading and Downgrading

In situations where a passenger receives an alternative flight, it is important to know about upgrading and downgrading the flight’s class.

In situations, when the airline provides you with a higher class (for instance, you booked Economy but were upgraded to Business class), you won’t be charged extra for this service.

Regarding downgrading in class (in case you booked a Business class ticket, but were downgraded to Economy), you can get reimbursement. Here, it is worth mentioning that the amount of compensation is determined by the distance of a flight:

• 30% of the flight tickets cost for a 1,500 km distance or less;
• 50% of the flight tickets cost (specifically, for intra-EU flights that are over 1,500 km and all other flights with a 1,500 km and 3,500 km distance;
• 75% of the ticket price for flights with a 3,500+ km distance.

Consider that these rights cover all flights within the European Union, as well as flights departing from or arriving in the European Union by airlines based in the EU.

When Are You Not Entitled to Compensation?

Unfortunately, there are cases, when passengers aren’t eligible for compensation for cancelled or delayed flights. Particularly, we refer to extraordinary circumstances that are not within the airline’s control. A few examples are as follows:

• Bad weather conditions and natural disasters;
• Political circumstances (related security risks, terrorist attacks);
• A collision of the aircraft and foreign objects (birds, for instance);
• Unruly or very ill passengers;
• Strikes (that are not caused by the airline’s crew).

Moreover, if the airline potentially could have done something to prevent issues regarding the flight and failed to handle the situation, you might be entitled to compensation.

Which Flights are Covered by EU 261/2004?

European Union Regulation 261 applies to all flights departing from airports in the EU. 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.

Nevertheless, SpiceJet isn’t a European airline. Therefore, they don’t have to pay compensation if their flights operate outside of the European Union. This is true even for their flights to the European Union if they start outside the EU.

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

How to Claim SpiceJet Compensation

Flight delay or cancellation is an unpleasant situation that can not only upset you but also ruin all your travel plans. Passengers who unfortunately encounter a flight cancellation or delay should be aware of the process to seek compensation. To apply for compensation, follow these steps:

1. Complete our form. You’ll need to provide details like your flight number, date, and the problem you faced.
2. 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 only incur a fee if we win your case.

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