Passengers of Spirit Airlines who have faced a cancelled or delayed flight have a legal right to compensation. Under EU 261/2004, an airline is obliged to compensate passengers in case of a significant disruption. In this article, we’ll examine your rights and the steps you need to take to get the compensation you are entitled to from the airline.
Spirit Airlines Flight Delay or Cancellation Compensation
Before claiming the Spirit 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.
Spirit Airlines Compensation for Flight Delay
According to UK and EU laws, passengers are eligible for up to €600 in compensation per person if their flight arrives late. It’s crucial to note that this flight delay compensation depends 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.
Let’s take a look at how much compensation you could be eligible for if your flight is delayed. The amount of compensation is determined by various criteria, including the duration of the delay and the route length 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 |
Be aware you may not always receive compensation for every flight delay. Spirit Airlines isn’t required to pay compensation when extraordinary circumstances they cannot control arise. This includes severe weather conditions, problems at the airport, or air traffic controller strikes. In these cases, you will generally not be compensated as it is not the airline’s fault.
Spirit Airlines Compensation for Flight Cancellation
EU Regulation 261/2004 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 flight cancellation compensation ranging from €250 to €600 per passenger, depending on the flight distance. However, 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 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 |
Even when accepting another flight, passengers retain their entitlement to compensation if they still experience significant delays at their final destination. The compensation amount is determined according to two criteria: the flight distance and the duration of the delay, according to the table provided 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 |
Spirit Airlines is not obliged to compensate you if they offer an alternative flight that departs and arrives around the same time as your original flight. Additionally, 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 Spirit Airlines Flights Covered By EU 261/2004?
EU 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 European Union member states as well as Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.
However, Spirit Airlines is not a European airline. Consequently, 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.
| Itinerary | Covered by EU 261 |
| Flights departing from EU airports | ✔️ Yes |
| Flights arriving at EU airports | ❌ No |
How to Claim Compensation from Spirit Airlines
If your travel plans have been affected by a flight delay or cancellation with Spirit Airlines, it’s crucial to be aware that you might be entitled to compensation under EU laws. 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 including your flight number, date, and the issue you encountered.
- Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will take over. We understand the EU laws comprehensively and will do our best to get you your compensation. You only incur a fee if we win your case.
These steps will help you file your claim quickly and improve your chances of obtaining the compensation you’re entitled to. You might 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
Spirit Airlines goes the extra mile to help passengers during travel interruptions by offering services that complement flight compensation.
Right to Care
When flight disruptions occur, Spirit 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: Spirit 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, Spirit 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 immediate assistance.
Rebooking and Refunds
When Spirit Airlines cancels a flight, passengers can choose to get a full refund or rebook on a different flight. This option is crucial for minimizing travel disruptions and helping passengers to manage unforeseen circumstances effectively.
- 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, Spirit 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, Spirit Airlines will arrange accommodation and transfers as necessary. 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 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. Furthermore, if your booking includes connecting flights, Spirit Airlines shall help 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.