Passengers of United Airlines who have faced a delayed or cancelled flight are legally entitled to compensation. Under EU Regulation 261/2004, airlines must compensate passengers when there is a significant disruption. In this article, we will look at your rights and the steps you need to take to receive 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 the event of flight cancellation or delay. United Airlines Compensation for Flight Delay According to UK and EU laws, passengers can receive up to €600 in compensation per person if their flight is delayed. It’s essential to note, that this delay compensation depends on the flight’s arrival time, not the departure time, so the key to your claim relies on the actual time you land at your destination airport. Here’s an overview of how much compensation you may receive if your flight is delayed. The amount of compensation varies based on several factors, such as the duration of the delay and the distance 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 Remember you may not always receive compensation for every flight delay. United Airlines isn’t required to provide compensation when extraordinary circumstances they cannot control occur. This covers bad weather, 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. United Airlines Compensation for Flight Cancellation EU 261 states that airlines are required to inform passengers of cancellations at least 14 days before departure. If the airline doesn’t provide timely notification, you might be eligible for compensation of between €250 and €600 per passenger, according to the distance of the flight. Nevertheless, 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 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 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 based on two criteria: the flight distance and the length of the delay, according to the table provided 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 United 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. Additionally, 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 staff goes on strike. Are United Airlines Flights Covered By EU 261/2004? EU Regulation 261 applies to all flights departing from EU airports. It also applies 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, United Airlines is not 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. ItineraryCovered by EU 261Flights departing from EU airports✔️ YesFlights arriving at EU airports❌ No How to Claim Compensation from United Airlines If your travel plans have been affected by a flight cancellation or delay 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: Complete our form. You’ll need to provide details such as your flight number, date, and what went wrong. Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will manage the process. We know 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 obtaining the compensation you’re entitled to. You might have plenty of time after your flight to submit a claim, but it’s best to do 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 extra mile to support passengers during travel disruptions by offering services that complement flight compensation. Right to Care When flight disruptions occur, United Airlines is committed to ensuring passenger comfort through the Right to Care provision. This right, established under EU Regulation 261/2004, 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 arranges hotel accommodation. This includes 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 immediate assistance. Rebooking and Refunds When United Airlines cancels a flight, passengers can choose to get a full refund or rebook on an alternative flight. This flexibility is essential for minimizing travel inconveniences and supporting passengers to handle unforeseen circumstances effectively. 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 journey, United 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, United Airlines shall arrange accommodation and transfers as necessary. Furthermore, 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 entitled to a partial refund of the cost difference. Additionally, if your booking involves 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 ensure this process as easy as possible, understanding the stress and inconvenience caused by cancellations.