Whenever flights are delayed or cancelled, it can be frustrating and inconvenient for passengers. However, the EU has a regulation 261/2004 that helps protect passengers in these situations. Under EU 261/2004, 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 law that deals with air passengers’ rights. Specifically, this law covers different situations, including delays, flight cancellations, rebooking, etc., and requires airlines to resolve individual cases with fairness and care. If the situation occurs due to the airline’s fault, any traveler who experienced certain inconveniences has a right to get compensation. In addition, passengers can receive certain benefits, which we will discuss further in the article.
Right to Compensation
European Union Regulation 261 includes rules regarding the compensation process, including assistance for passengers who suffered from flight problems. In particular, the amount of compensation you can expect to receive is up to 600 euros per passenger. This sum ranges, according to your circumstances.
Compensation for Spring Airlines Flight Cancellation
First and foremost, passengers need to know that the airline is required to notify them about the cancellation of their flight. In case the airline informs you under fourteen days before your scheduled departure and does not provide 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 provided with an alternative flight but reaches his destination later than the original flight was supposed to, the passenger could 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 Spring Airlines Flight Delay
When a flight is delayed for 3+ hours, the airline is obligated to provide compensation. If the flight is delayed for 5 hours or more, the passenger is entitled to a ticket refund or an alternative flight to the final destination.
Furthermore, in such situations, the airline also must provide a passenger with refreshments, meals, and accommodation. See essential details on 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 standard rules on assistance and compensation to passengers in the event of long delays, denied boarding, or flight cancellations.
The “Right to Care” under EU261 obliges airlines to provide certain services and assistance to passengers facing 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
- Emails or faxes and two free phone calls
Upgrading and Downgrading
In situations where a passenger gets an alternative flight, it is important to understand upgrading and downgrading the flight’s class.
In situations, when the airline provides you with a higher class (for instance, you had Economy but were upgraded to Business class), you will not be charged additional fees for this service.
Regarding downgrading in class (if you had a Business class flight, but were downgraded to Economy), you can get reimbursement. In this case, it’s important to note that the amount of compensation is entirely based on 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 apply to every flight 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 situations, when passengers aren’t eligible for compensation for cancelled or delayed flights. Specifically, we talk about extraordinary circumstances that are outside of the airline’s control. Some of the 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).
In addition, if the airline might have been able to do 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 EU airports. It also applies to 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, Spring Airlines is not a European airline. Therefore, they aren’t required to pay compensation if their flights operate outside of the European Union. This applies even to 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 Spring Airlines Compensation
Flight delay or cancellation is an unpleasant situation that can not only upset you but also ruin all your travel plans. Those who are unlucky enough to face a flight delay or cancellation should know exactly how to claim compensation. To apply for compensation, follow these steps:
- Complete this 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 take over. We know the EU laws well and will make every effort to secure your compensation. You are only charged if we win your case.