Passengers of Thai Smile who have faced a delayed or cancelled flight have a legal right to compensation. Under EU 261, an airline is obliged to compensate passengers if there’s a significant disruption. In this article, we’ll examine your rights and the actions you need to take to get 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 the event of delay or flight cancellation. Thai Smile Compensation for Flight Delay According to UK and EU regulations, passengers can receive up to €600 in compensation per person if their flight experiences a delay. It’s important to note, that this delay compensation is calculated using the flight’s landing time, not the departure time, so the key to your claim is the actual time you land at your final destination. Let’s take a look at how much compensation you may receive if your flight is delayed. The amount of compensation depends on several factors, such as the duration of the delay and the distance of your flight: Less than 3 hoursBetween 3-4 hoursFour hours +Distance0€250€250All flights up to 1500 km0€400€400All flights between 1500 km and 3500 km0€400€400All intra-EU flights over 3500 km0€300€600All non-EU flights over 3500 km Be aware you may not be compensated for every flight delay. Thai Smile is not obliged to pay compensation when extraordinary circumstances they cannot control happen. This covers bad weather, problems at the airport, or a strike by air traffic controllers. In these cases, you will generally not be given compensation as it is not the airline’s fault. Thai Smile Compensation for Flight Cancellation European Union Regulation 261/2004 states that airlines have to notify passengers of cancellations at least 14 days before departure. If the airline fails to notify you in time, you could qualify for compensation of €250-600 per passenger, depending on the distance of the flight. However, if the airline provides you with an alternate flight, it may avoid compensation for the cancelled flight if the following conditions are met: Advance NoticeRe-routing Requirements14 DaysNone7 – 13 DaysAlternative flight departing no more than 2 hours before and arriving less than 4 hours after the original flightLess than 7 DaysAlternative flight departing no more than 1 hour before and arriving less than 2 hours after the original flight When accepting a different flight, passengers retain their right to compensation if they still experience significant delays at their final destination. The amount of compensation is calculated according to two criteria: the flight distance and the length of the delay, according to the table provided below: Under 2 hours2-3 hours3-4 hoursOver 4 hoursNever arrivedDistance€125€250€250€250€250All flights 1,500 km or less€200€200€400€400€400Internal EU flights over 1,500 km€200€200€400€400€400Non-internal EU flights 1,500 km- 3,500 km€300€300€300€600€600Non-internal EU flights over 3,500 km Thai Smile is not obliged to compensate you if they offer an alternative flight that departs and arrives near 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 bad weather or when airline staff goes on strike. Are Thai Smile Flights Covered By EU 261/2004? European Union Regulation 261 covers 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 European Union member states as well as Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland. Nevertheless, Thai Smile isn’t a European airline. Consequently, they aren’t required 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. ItineraryCovered by EU 261Flights departing from EU airports✔️ YesFlights arriving at EU airports❌ No How to Claim Compensation from Thai Smile If your travel plans have been affected by a flight delay or cancellation with Thai Smile, it’s important to be aware that you might be entitled to compensation under EU laws. For this reason, 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 such as your flight number, date, and what went wrong. Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will handle the rest. We know the EU laws comprehensively and will strive to secure your compensation. You are only charged if we win your case. These steps will assist you in filing your claim quickly and increase 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 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 extra mile to help passengers during travel disruptions by offering services that complement flight compensation. Right to Care When flight disruptions happen, Thai Smile is committed to ensuring passenger comfort through the Right to Care provision. The right, established under EU 261, kicks in 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: 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 arranges hotel accommodation. This covers 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 Thai Smile cancels a flight, passengers have the option to get a full refund or rebook on a different 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 receive 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 select an alternative route if there are seats available. If the next available flight is scheduled for the following day or later, Thai Smile will arrange accommodation and transfers as necessary. 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 entitled to a partial refund of the cost difference. Furthermore, if your booking includes connecting flights, Thai Smile will assist in rebooking your entire journey, not just the cancelled segment. Whether choosing 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.