Passengers of Turkish Airlines who have experienced a flight delay or cancellation are legally entitled to compensation. Under EU Regulation 261/2004, airlines must compensate passengers when there is a significant disruption. In this article, we’ll examine your rights and the actions you should follow to receive the compensation you deserve from the airline.
Turkish Airlines Flight Delay or Cancellation Compensation
Before claiming the Turkish Airlines compensation, you should be aware of the conditions and the amount of compensation you may expect to get in case of delay or flight cancellation.
Turkish Airlines Compensation for Flight Delay
According to UK and EU regulations, passengers are eligible for up to €600 in compensation per person if their flight arrives late. It’s essential to note that this flight delay compensation is based on the flight’s landing time, not the departure time, so the key to your claim hinges on the actual time you arrive 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 is determined by several factors, including 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 |
Be aware you may not be compensated for every flight delay. Turkish Airlines is not obliged to provide compensation when extraordinary circumstances they cannot control arise. This includes severe weather conditions, airport issues, or a strike by air traffic controllers. In these instances, you will generally not be compensated as it is not the airline’s fault.
Turkish Airlines Compensation for Flight Cancellation
European Union Regulation 261/2004 states that airlines must notify passengers of flight cancellations at least 14 days before departure. If the airline fails to notify you in time, you could qualify for flight cancellation compensation ranging from €250 to €600 per passenger, according to the flight distance. Nonetheless, 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 a different 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 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 |
Turkish Airlines is not obliged to compensate you if they provide an alternative flight that departs and arrives near the same time as your original flight. Additionally, 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 Turkish Airlines Flights Covered By EU 261/2004?
European Union Regulation 261 covers all flights departing from airports in the EU. This regulation also extends 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.
However, Turkish Airlines is not a European airline. Therefore, 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.
Itinerary | Covered by EU 261 |
Flights departing from EU airports | ✔️ Yes |
Flights arriving at EU airports | ❌ No |
How to Claim Compensation from Turkish Airlines
If your travel plans have been affected by a flight cancellation or delay with Turkish Airlines, it’s essential to understand that you might be entitled to compensation under EU regulations. 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 such as your flight number, date, and the problem you faced.
- Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will take over. We know the EU laws well and will do our best to secure your compensation. You are only charged if we win your case.
These steps will assist you in filing your claim quickly and improve your chances of obtaining the compensation you’re owed. You might 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
Turkish Airlines goes the additional mile to help passengers during travel interruptions by providing services that complement flight compensation.
Right to Care
When flight disruptions happen, Turkish Airlines is committed to ensuring passenger comfort through the Right to Care provision. The right, established under EU Regulation 261/2004, becomes applicable 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: Turkish 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, Turkish Airlines arranges hotel room accommodation. This also 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 Turkish Airlines cancels a flight, passengers have the option to get a full refund or rebook on another flight. This option is essential for minimizing travel inconveniences and assisting 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, Turkish 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, Turkish Airlines 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 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, Turkish Airlines shall help 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 make this process as easy as possible, understanding the stress and inconvenience caused by cancellations.