Passengers of Turkish Airlines who have faced a flight cancellation or delay have a legal right to compensation. According to EU 261/2004, airlines must compensate passengers when there is a significant disruption. In this article, we’ll examine your rights and the steps you should follow to obtain 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 may be entitled to up to €600 in compensation per person if their flight experiences a delay. It’s crucial to note, that this delay compensation is based on the flight’s landing time, not the departure time, so the key to your claim is 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 various criteria, including the duration of the delay and the route length 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 might not be compensated for every flight delay. Turkish Airlines isn’t required to provide compensation when extraordinary circumstances they cannot control occur. This covers severe weather conditions, airport issues, or a strike by air traffic controllers. In such situations, 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 are required to inform passengers of cancellations at least 14 days before the scheduled flight. If the airline fails to notify you in time, you might be eligible for compensation of €250-600 per passenger, based on the distance of the flight. 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 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 Even when accepting an alternative flight, passengers retain their entitlement to compensation if they still experience significant delays at their final destination. The amount of compensation is determined according to two criteria: the flight distance and the duration of the delay, in line with the table 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 Turkish Airlines doesn’t have to compensate you if they provide an alternative flight that departs and arrives close to 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 adverse weather conditions or when airline workers go on strike. Are Turkish Airlines Flights Covered By EU 261/2004? EU 261 covers all flights departing from EU airports. This regulation also extends to flights arriving in the EU if the airline originates in the EU. This includes airlines from EU countries as well as Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland. However, Turkish Airlines is not a European airline. Therefore, they don’t have 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. ItineraryCovered by EU 261Flights departing from EU airports✔️ YesFlights 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 know 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: Fill in our form. You’ll need to provide details including your flight number, date, and the problem you faced. 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 only incur a fee 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 owed. 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 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. This 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 food and drinks 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 provides hotel accommodation. This also includes 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 airline staff at the airport for immediate assistance. Rebooking and Refunds When Turkish Airlines cancels a flight, passengers have the option to receive a full refund or rebook on a different flight. This option is essential for minimizing travel disruptions and supporting 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 journey, 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 will arrange accommodation and transfers as needed. 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 important 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. Additionally, if your booking involves connecting flights, Turkish Airlines 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 easy as possible, understanding the stress and inconvenience caused by cancellations.