Spirit Airlines Compensation for Flight Delays and Cancellations

Passengers of Spirit Airlines who have experienced a flight cancellation or delay have a legal right to compensation. Under EU 261/2004, airlines must compensate passengers in case of a significant disruption. Here, we will look at your rights and the steps you should follow to receive 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

In line with UK and EU regulations, passengers may be entitled to up to €600 in compensation per person if their flight arrives late. It’s essential to note that this flight delay compensation depends on the flight’s landing time, not the departure time, so the key to your claim hinges on the actual time you land at your final destination.

Here’s an overview of how much compensation you can get if your flight is delayed. The amount of compensation is determined by 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 be compensated for every flight delay. Spirit Airlines isn’t required to provide compensation when extraordinary circumstances they cannot control happen. This includes bad weather, airport issues, or air traffic controller strikes. In these cases, you will usually not be compensated as it is not the airline’s fault.

Spirit Airlines Compensation for Flight Cancellation

European Union Regulation 261/2004 states that airlines are required to inform passengers of cancellations at least 14 days before departure. If the airline fails to notify you in time, you may be entitled to 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 could potentially 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 claim for compensation if they still experience significant delays at their final destination. The compensation amount is calculated according to two criteria: the distance of the flight and the duration of the delay, in line with 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 doesn’t have to compensate you if they offer an alternative flight that departs and arrives close to 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 adverse weather conditions or when airline staff goes on strike.

Are Spirit 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 EU countries as well as Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.

However, Spirit Airlines isn’t a European airline. Consequently, they are not obliged 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 important to understand that you might be entitled to compensation under EU regulations. For this reason, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the process of claiming compensation. Here’s what you need to do:

• Complete this form. You’ll need to provide details such as 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 know the EU laws comprehensively and will strive to obtain your rightful compensation. You only pay us if we win your case.

These steps will assist you in filing your claim quickly and improve your chances of getting the compensation you’re entitled to. 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

Spirit Airlines goes the extra mile to help passengers during travel disruptions by offering services that complement flight compensation.

Right to Care

When flight disruptions happen, Spirit Airlines is committed to ensuring passenger comfort through the Right to Care provision. The right, established under EU Regulation 261/2004, kicks in when flight delays exceed two hours. The services provided include:

• Meals and Refreshments: 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 airline 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 another flight. This flexibility is essential for minimizing travel inconveniences and supporting passengers to manage 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, Spirit 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, Spirit Airlines shall arrange accommodation and transfers as needed. Additionally, 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 involves connecting flights, Spirit 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 ensure this process as easy as possible, understanding the stress and inconvenience caused by cancellations.

Recent Flight Delays and Cancellations