Passengers of Tunisair who have experienced a flight delay or cancellation have a legal right to compensation. Under EU Regulation 261/2004, airlines must compensate passengers when there is a significant disruption. Here, we’ll examine your rights and the steps you should follow to get the compensation you are entitled to from the airline.
Tunisair Flight Delay or Cancellation Compensation
Before claiming the Tunisair 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.
Tunisair Compensation for Flight Delay
According to 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 based on the flight’s arrival time, not the departure time, so the key to your claim hinges on the actual time you arrive at 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 varies based on several factors, including 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 |
Be aware you may not receive compensation for every flight delay. Tunisair isn’t required to pay compensation when extraordinary circumstances outside their control happen. This covers severe weather conditions, 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.
Tunisair Compensation for Flight Cancellation
EU 261 states that airlines are required to notify passengers of flight 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 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 a different flight, passengers retain their entitlement to compensation if they still experience significant delays at their final destination. The amount of compensation is calculated according to two criteria: the distance of the flight 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 |
Tunisair is not obliged to compensate you if they offer an alternative flight that departs and arrives around the same time as your original flight. Moreover, 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 Tunisair Flights Covered By EU 261/2004?
EU Regulation 261 covers all flights departing from airports in the EU. It also covers flights arriving in the EU if the airline is based in the EU. This includes airlines from EU countries as well as Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.
However, Tunisair is not a European airline. Therefore, 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 Tunisair
If your travel plans have been affected by a flight cancellation or delay with Tunisair, 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:
- 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 manage the process. We understand the EU laws comprehensively and will do our best 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 receiving the compensation you’re entitled to. You may have plenty of time after your flight to make 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
Tunisair goes the additional mile to support passengers during travel disruptions by offering services that complement flight compensation.
Right to Care
When flight disruptions happen, Tunisair is committed to ensuring passenger comfort through the Right to Care provision. This right, established under EU 261, kicks in when flight delays exceed two hours. The services provided include:
- Food and Drinks: 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: Tunisair 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, Tunisair arranges 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 airport staff at the airport for immediate assistance.
Rebooking and Refunds
When Tunisair cancels a flight, passengers have the option to receive a full refund or rebook on an alternative flight. This option is crucial for minimizing travel disruptions and helping passengers to handle unforeseen circumstances effectively.
- 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 trip, Tunisair 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, Tunisair will arrange accommodation and transfers as needed. Additionally, you have the right to be rebooked, even in a higher class, at no additional cost to you if that’s the only available option.
It’s crucial 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, Tunisair shall help 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.