Whenever flights are delayed or cancelled, it can be annoying and inconvenient for passengers. However, the EU has a regulation 261 that helps protect passengers in such situations. According to EU261, if your flight is disrupted, the airline has to provide you with compensation and assistance. Passenger Rights Under EU 261/2004 European Union Regulation 261 is the legislation that covers air passengers’ rights. In particular, this legislation covers different situations, including rebooking, delays, flight cancellations, etc., and obligates airlines to resolve individual cases with care and fairness. If the situation occurs because of the airline’s fault, any traveler who experienced certain inconveniences is entitled to receive compensation. In addition, travelers may be eligible for certain benefits, which we will discuss further in the article. Right to Compensation The EU 261 encompasses rules concerning the compensation process, including aid for passengers who suffered from air travel disruptions. In particular, the amount of compensation you can potentially get is up to 600 euros per person. This sum varies, according to your specific case. Compensation for Vietnam Airlines Flight Cancellation First and foremost, passengers should be aware that the airline must inform them about the flight cancellation. In case the airline notifies you less than fourteen days before your scheduled departure and does not offer any alternative flight, the airline, according to the EU 261/2004, is obligated to compensate you compensation of 250 – 600 euros. At the same time, if a passenger is offered an alternative flight but arrives at his destination later than the original flight was supposed to, the passenger may also be entitled to compensation. The table below shows the airline’s obligations based on the duration of the delay: 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 Compensation for Vietnam Airlines Flight Delay When a flight is delayed for 3+ hours, the airline is obligated to provide compensation. If the flight is delayed for five or more hours, the passenger is entitled to a ticket refund or an alternative flight to the final destination. Furthermore, this is the case when the airline also must provide a passenger with refreshments, meals, and accommodation. See key information on compensation in the table below: Less than 3 hoursBetween 3-4 hoursOver 4 hoursDistance€0€250€250All flights up to 1500 km€0€400€400All flights between 1500 km and 3500 km€0€400€400All intra-EU flights over 3500 km€0€300€600All non-EU flights over 3500 km Right to Care Right to Care relates to a specific aspect of European Union Regulation 261/2004, which establishes regulations on assistance and compensation for travelers in the event of flight cancellations, long delays, or denied boarding. The “Right to Care” under EU 261 requires airlines to provide certain assistance and services to passengers affected by significant delays or cancellations. These include: Food and drinks appropriate to the waiting time Hotel accommodation if an overnight stay becomes necessary Transport between the airport and the hotel Two free phone calls, emails, or faxes Upgrading and Downgrading When a passenger gets an alternative flight, it is helpful to be aware of upgrading and downgrading the flight’s class. In situations, when the airline provides you with an upgraded class (for instance, you had Economy but were upgraded to Business class), you won’t be charged additional fees for this service. Regarding downgrading in class (in case you booked a Business class flight, but were downgraded to Economy), you are entitled to obtain reimbursement. In this case, it is worth mentioning that the amount of compensation is entirely based on the distance of a flight: 30% of the flight tickets cost for a 1,500 km distance or less; 50% of the flight tickets cost (specifically, for intra-EU flights that are over 1,500 km and all other flights with a 1,500 km and 3,500 km distance; 75% of the ticket price for flights with a 3,500+ km distance. Keep in mind that these rights apply to all flights within the European Union, as well as flights departing from or arriving in the European Union operated by airlines based in the EU. When Are You Not Entitled to Compensation? Unfortunately, there are cases, when passengers aren’t eligible for compensation for delayed or cancelled flights. Particularly, we talk about extraordinary circumstances that are outside of the airline’s control. Some of the examples are as follows: Bad weather conditions and natural disasters; Political circumstances (related security risks, terrorist attacks); A collision of the aircraft and foreign objects (birds, for instance); Unruly or very ill passengers; Strikes (that are not caused by the airline’s crew). In addition, if the airline potentially could have done something to avoid problems with the flight and failed to handle the situation, you may be eligible for compensation. Which Flights are Covered by EU 261/2004? EU 261 covers all flights departing from EU airports. It also covers 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. Nevertheless, Vietnam Airlines isn’t a European airline. Consequently, they aren’t required to pay compensation if their flights operate outside of the European Union. This is true even for their flights to the European Union if they start outside the EU. ItineraryCovered by EU 261Flights departing from the EU airports✔️ YesFlights arriving at the EU airports❌ No How to Claim Vietnam Airlines Compensation Flight cancellation or delay is an unpleasant situation that can not only upset you but also ruin all your travel plans. Those who are unlucky enough to face a flight cancellation or delay should be aware of the process to claim compensation. To apply for compensation, follow these steps: Fill in this form. You’ll need to provide details including your flight number, date, and the issue you encountered. Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will handle the rest. We know the EU laws thoroughly and will strive to get you your compensation. You are only charged if we win your case.