Thai Smile Compensation for Flight Delays and Cancellations

Passengers of Thai Smile who have experienced a flight cancellation or delay have a legal right to compensation. According to EU 261, airlines must compensate passengers if there’s a significant disruption. In this article, we will look at your rights and the steps you should follow to receive the compensation you deserve from the airline.

Thai Smile Flight Delay or Cancellation Compensation

Before claiming the Thai Smile 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.

Thai Smile Compensation for Flight Delay

In line with UK and EU laws, passengers may be entitled to up to €600 in compensation per person if their flight experiences a delay. It’s crucial to note that this flight delay compensation is calculated using the flight’s arrival time, not the departure time, so the key to your claim relies on the actual time you land at your final destination.

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 several factors, such as 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

Keep in mind you may not be compensated for every flight delay. Thai Smile isn’t required to provide compensation when extraordinary circumstances outside their control arise. This includes bad weather, airport issues, or air traffic controller strikes. In such situations, you will generally not be given compensation as it is not the airline’s fault.

Thai Smile Compensation for Flight Cancellation

EU 261 states that airlines have to notify passengers of flight cancellations at least 14 days before the scheduled flight. If the airline doesn’t provide timely notification, you could qualify for flight cancellation compensation ranging from €250 to €600 per passenger, depending on the flight distance. 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 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 an alternative flight, passengers retain their right to compensation if they still experience significant delays at their final destination. The amount of compensation is calculated based on two factors: the flight distance and the length of the delay, according to the table 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

Thai Smile isn’t required to compensate you if they provide an alternative flight that departs and arrives around the same time as your original flight. Also, 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 Thai Smile Flights Covered By EU 261/2004?

EU 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 European Union member states as well as Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.

Nevertheless, Thai Smile is not a European airline. Therefore, they aren’t required to pay you compensation if their flights operate outside of Europe. This is true even for 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 Thai Smile

If your travel plans have been affected by a flight cancellation or delay with Thai Smile, it’s essential to know that you might be entitled to compensation under EU laws. That’s why it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the process of claiming compensation. Here’s what you need to do:

• Complete our form. You’ll need to provide details like your flight number, date, and the issue you encountered.
• Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will handle the rest. We understand the EU laws well and will do our best to secure your compensation. You only pay us if we win your case.

These steps will help you file your claim quickly and improve your chances of getting the compensation you’re entitled to. There may be plenty of time after your flight to submit a claim, but it’s best to complete it as soon as you can while you still remember all the details.

What You Can Get Besides EU Flight Compensation

Thai Smile goes the additional mile to help passengers during travel disruptions by offering services that complement flight compensation.

Right to Care

When flight disruptions occur, Thai Smile 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:

• Meals and Refreshments: 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: Thai Smile 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, Thai Smile provides 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 airline staff at the airport for instant assistance.

Rebooking and Refunds

When Thai Smile cancels a flight, passengers can choose to get a full refund or rebook on another flight. This option is crucial for minimizing travel inconveniences and supporting passengers to handle 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 journey, Thai Smile 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, Thai Smile shall 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 important to keep in mind some additional considerations. If you’re rebooked on a lower class than originally booked, you’re entitled to a partial refund of the cost difference. Furthermore, if your booking includes connecting flights, Thai Smile shall help in rebooking your entire journey, not just the cancelled segment.

Whether opting for a refund or arranging a new flight, the procedures are designed to ensure this process as smooth as possible, understanding the stress and inconvenience caused by cancellations.

Recent Flight Delays and Cancellations