United Airlines Compensation for Flight Delays and Cancellations

Passengers of United Airlines who have experienced a flight cancellation or delay have a legal right to compensation. According to EU 261/2004, airlines must compensate passengers in case of a significant disruption. Here, we will look at your rights and the actions you should follow to get the compensation you are entitled to from the airline.

United Airlines Flight Delay or Cancellation Compensation

Before claiming the United 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.

United Airlines Compensation for Flight Delay

In line with UK and EU regulations, passengers can receive up to €600 in compensation per person if their flight experiences a delay. It’s essential to note that this flight delay compensation depends on the flight’s landing time, not the departure time, so the key to your claim relies on the actual time you reach your destination airport.

Let’s take a look at how much compensation you may receive if your flight is delayed. The amount of compensation is determined by various criteria, 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 always be compensated for every flight delay. United Airlines isn’t required to provide compensation when extraordinary circumstances they cannot control arise. This includes bad weather, airport issues, or air traffic controller strikes. In these instances, you will usually not be compensated as it is not the airline’s fault.

United Airlines Compensation for Flight Cancellation

EU Regulation 261/2004 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 could qualify for flight cancellation compensation ranging from €250 to €600 per passenger, depending on the flight distance. Nonetheless, 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 another flight, passengers retain their claim for compensation if they still experience significant delays at their final destination. The compensation amount is determined based on two factors: the flight distance and the duration 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

United Airlines isn’t required to compensate you if they offer an alternative flight that departs and arrives close to 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 adverse weather conditions or when airline workers go on strike.

Are United Airlines Flights Covered By EU 261/2004?

EU 261 applies to all flights departing from European Union airports. It also applies 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.

Nevertheless, United 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.

Itinerary	Covered by EU 261
Flights departing from EU airports	✔️ Yes
Flights arriving at EU airports	❌ No

How to Claim Compensation from United Airlines

If your travel plans have been affected by a flight delay or cancellation with United Airlines, it’s essential to know that you might be entitled to compensation under EU laws. That’s why it’s essential 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 understand the EU laws thoroughly and will strive to get you 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 getting the compensation you’re owed. There may be 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

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

Right to Care

When flight disruptions happen, United Airlines 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 food and drinks appropriate to the length of delay. This may include vouchers for airport restaurants or direct distribution of snacks and drinks.
• Communication: United 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, United Airlines provides hotel room 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 instant assistance.

Rebooking and Refunds

When United Airlines cancels a flight, passengers have the option to get a full refund or rebook on a different flight. This flexibility is crucial for minimizing travel inconveniences and assisting passengers to manage 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, United Airlines 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, United Airlines will 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 eligible for a partial refund of the cost difference. Additionally, if your booking includes connecting flights, United Airlines shall help in rebooking your entire journey, not just the cancelled segment.

Whether opting for a refund or arranging a new flight, the procedures are designed to make this process as smooth as possible, understanding the stress and inconvenience caused by cancellations.

Recent Flight Delays and Cancellations