Turkish Airlines Compensation for Flight Delays and Cancellations

Passengers of Turkish Airlines who have faced a cancelled or delayed flight have a legal right to compensation. According to EU Regulation 261/2004, an airline is obliged to compensate passengers when there is a significant disruption. Here, we’ll examine your rights and the steps you should follow to obtain the compensation you have a right to 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 the event of flight cancellation or delay.

Turkish Airlines Compensation for Flight Delay

According to UK and EU laws, passengers can receive up to €600 in compensation per person if their flight arrives late. 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 land 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 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

Be aware you might not receive compensation for every flight delay. Turkish Airlines is not obliged to compensate passengers when extraordinary circumstances outside their control occur. This includes severe weather conditions, problems at the airport, or a strike by air traffic controllers. In these cases, you will generally not be compensated as it is not the airline’s fault.

Turkish Airlines Compensation for Flight Cancellation

EU 261 states that airlines must notify passengers of flight cancellations at least 14 days before departure. If the airline doesn’t provide timely notification, you might be eligible for flight cancellation compensation ranging from €250 to €600 per passenger, based on the distance of the flight. However, 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 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

Turkish Airlines isn’t required to compensate you if they provide 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 bad weather or when airline workers go on strike.

Are Turkish Airlines Flights Covered By EU 261/2004?

EU Regulation 261 applies to all flights departing from European Union airports. This regulation also extends to 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, Turkish Airlines isn’t a European airline. Consequently, 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 Turkish Airlines

If your travel plans have been affected by a flight cancellation or delay with Turkish Airlines, it’s important to understand that you might be entitled to compensation under EU regulations. For this reason, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the process of claiming compensation. Here’s what you need to do:

• Complete this form. You’ll need to provide details like 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 are well-versed in the EU laws thoroughly and will make every effort 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 may have plenty of time after your flight to make 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

Turkish Airlines goes the additional mile to support passengers during travel disruptions by offering services that complement flight compensation.

Right to Care

When flight disruptions occur, Turkish Airlines is committed to ensuring passenger comfort through the Right to Care provision. The 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: 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 airport staff at the airport for immediate 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 flexibility is essential for minimizing travel inconveniences and helping passengers to handle unforeseen circumstances efficiently.

• 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, Turkish Airlines shall 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, Turkish Airlines shall arrange accommodation and transfers as necessary. 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 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, Turkish Airlines shall help in rebooking your entire journey, not only the cancelled segment.

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

Recent Flight Delays and Cancellations