Whenever flights get 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. Under EU261, if your flight is delayed or cancelled, the airline has to provide you with compensation and assistance.
Passenger Rights Under EU 261/2004
EU Regulation 261 is the law that deals with air passengers’ rights. Specifically, this legislation covers different situations, such as delays, flight cancellations, rebooking, etc., and requires airlines to handle individual cases with fairness and care. If the incident happens because of the airline’s fault, any traveler who experienced certain inconveniences is entitled to receive compensation. Moreover, travelers may be eligible for certain benefits, which we will discuss further in the article.
Right to Compensation
The EU 261 includes rules concerning the compensation process, including assistance to people who suffered from air travel disruptions. Specifically, the amount of compensation you can expect to receive is up to 600 euros per passenger. This sum varies, based on your specific case.
Compensation for Viva Aerobus Flight Cancellation
First and foremost, passengers should be aware that the airline is required to notify them about the flight cancellation. If the airline informs you less than fourteen days before the date of your flight and does not offer any alternative flight, the airline, according to the EU 261 regulation, must pay 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 scheduled arrival time of the original flight, the passenger could be eligible for compensation. The table below shows the airline’s obligations depending on the length of the delay:
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 |
Compensation for Viva Aerobus Flight Delay
When a flight is delayed for three or more hours, the airline is required to pay compensation. If the flight is delayed for five or more hours, the passenger can expect a ticket refund or another flight to the final destination.
Furthermore, this is the case when the airline is also required to provide a passenger with beverages, some food, and accommodation. See key information about compensation in the table below:
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 |
Right to Care
Right to Care pertains to a specific aspect of EU Regulation 261/2004, which establishes regulations on compensation and assistance to passengers in cases of flight cancellations, long delays, or denied boarding.
The “Right to Care” under EU261/2004 requires airlines to provide certain services and assistance to passengers experiencing significant delays or cancellations. These include:
- Food and beverages appropriate for the waiting time
- Hotel accommodation if an overnight stay becomes necessary
- Transport between the airport and the hotel
- Emails or faxes and two free phone calls
Upgrading and Downgrading
When a passenger gets an alternative flight, it is helpful to understand upgrading and downgrading the flight’s class.
In situations, when the airline provides you with a higher class (for example, you booked 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 receive reimbursement. Here, it is worth mentioning that the amount of compensation is determined by 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 by airlines based in the EU.
When Are You Not Entitled to Compensation?
Unfortunately, there are cases, when passengers will not receive compensation for cancelled or delayed flights. Specifically, we talk about extraordinary circumstances that are not within 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).
Moreover, if the airline potentially could have done something to prevent problems with the flight and failed to handle the situation, you can claim compensation.
Which Flights are Covered by EU 261/2004?
European Union Regulation 261 covers all flights departing from airports in the EU. 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, Viva Aerobus isn’t a European airline. Consequently, they aren’t required to pay compensation if their flights operate outside of the European Union. This applies even to their flights to the European Union if they start outside the EU.
Itinerary | Covered by EU 261 |
Flights departing from the EU airports | ✔️ Yes |
Flights arriving at the EU airports | ❌ No |
How to Claim Viva Aerobus Compensation
Flight delay or cancellation is an unpleasant situation that can not only upset you but also ruin all your travel plans. Passengers who unfortunately encounter a flight cancellation or delay should be aware of the process to seek compensation. To apply for compensation, follow these steps:
- Fill in our form. You’ll need to provide details like your flight number, date, and the problem you faced.
- Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will manage the process. We are well-versed in the EU laws comprehensively and will make every effort to get you your compensation. You are only charged if we win your case.
Recent Flight Delays and Cancellations
Was your flight delayed or cancelled without a valid reason? Check our table for the latest flight delays and cancellations. Assess your right to compensation using our claim checker, and let us protect your rights and pursue compensation for you.
Did not find your flight in our table? Try our compensation form, and we will check it for you.
Date | Airline (Flight number) | Route | Status | Your compensation |
---|---|---|---|---|
27.03.202519:35 | VivaAerobus 4120 | Monterrey (MTY) Hermosillo (HMO) | delayed | Refunds |
26.03.202518:00 | VivaAerobus 9304 | Mexico City (NLU) Hermosillo (HMO) | delayed | Refunds |
25.03.202516:55 | VivaAerobus 7294 | Mexico City (NLU) Ixtapa (ZIH) | delayed | Refunds |
25.03.202514:40 | VivaAerobus 9532 | Mexico City (NLU) Matamoros (MAM) | delayed | Refunds |
24.03.202522:35 | VivaAerobus 4208 | Monterrey (MTY) Queretaro (QRO) | delayed | Refunds |
24.03.202519:35 | VivaAerobus 9266 | Merida (MID) Queretaro (QRO) | delayed | Refunds |
24.03.202518:05 | VivaAerobus 5042 | Tijuana (TIJ) Mazatlan (MZT) | delayed | Refunds |
24.03.202512:45 | VivaAerobus 7392 | Mexico City (NLU) Chetumal (CTM) | delayed | Refunds |
24.03.202512:20 | VivaAerobus 7044 | San Jose Del Cabo (SJD) Torreon (TRC) | delayed | Refunds |
23.03.202518:50 | VivaAerobus 3186 | Guadalajara (GDL) Hermosillo (HMO) | delayed | Refunds |
23.03.202511:00 | VivaAerobus 527 | Dallas (DFW) Guadalajara (GDL) | delayed | Refunds |
22.03.202520:45 | VivaAerobus 9497 | San Jose Del Cabo (SJD) Mexico City (NLU) | delayed | Refunds |
22.03.202519:00 | VivaAerobus 9496 | Mexico City (NLU) San Jose Del Cabo (SJD) | delayed | Refunds |
22.03.202511:20 | VivaAerobus 2254 | Cancun (CUN) Tuxtla Gutierrez (TGZ) | delayed | Refunds |
22.03.202509:50 | VivaAerobus 3013 | Reynosa (REX) Guadalajara (GDL) | delayed | Refunds |
22.03.202506:45 | VivaAerobus 3012 | Guadalajara (GDL) Reynosa (REX) | delayed | Refunds |
21.03.202519:35 | VivaAerobus 4120 | Monterrey (MTY) Hermosillo (HMO) | delayed | Refunds |
18.03.202516:55 | VivaAerobus 7294 | Mexico City (NLU) Ixtapa (ZIH) | delayed | Refunds |
16.03.202506:00 | VivaAerobus 4110 | Monterrey (MTY) Hermosillo (HMO) | delayed | Refunds |
15.03.202506:15 | VivaAerobus 1322 | Mexico City (MEX) Hermosillo (HMO) | delayed | Refunds |
14.03.202514:10 | VivaAerobus 4113 | Hermosillo (HMO) Monterrey (MTY) | delayed | Refunds |
14.03.202512:05 | VivaAerobus 671 | San Antonio (SAT) Monterrey (MTY) | delayed | Refunds |
14.03.202506:15 | VivaAerobus 1322 | Mexico City (MEX) Hermosillo (HMO) | delayed | Refunds |
13.03.202512:45 | VivaAerobus 7392 | Mexico City (NLU) Chetumal (CTM) | delayed | Refunds |
11.03.202516:55 | VivaAerobus 7294 | Mexico City (NLU) Ixtapa (ZIH) | delayed | Refunds |
09.03.202518:50 | VivaAerobus 3186 | Guadalajara (GDL) Hermosillo (HMO) | delayed | Refunds |
09.03.202513:35 | VivaAerobus 7356 | Monterrey (MTY) Merida (MID) | delayed | Refunds |
09.03.202513:25 | VivaAerobus 1104 | Mexico City (MEX) Merida (MID) | delayed | Refunds |
09.03.202507:50 | VivaAerobus 4111 | Hermosillo (HMO) Monterrey (MTY) | cancelled | Refunds |
09.03.202506:00 | VivaAerobus 4110 | Monterrey (MTY) Hermosillo (HMO) | cancelled | Refunds |
08.03.202519:35 | VivaAerobus 4120 | Monterrey (MTY) Hermosillo (HMO) | delayed | Refunds |
08.03.202519:25 | VivaAerobus 217 | San Antonio (SAT) Leon (BJX) | delayed | Refunds |
03.03.202519:35 | VivaAerobus 4120 | Monterrey (MTY) Hermosillo (HMO) | delayed | Refunds |
03.03.202518:50 | VivaAerobus 3186 | Guadalajara (GDL) Hermosillo (HMO) | delayed | Refunds |
02.03.202521:30 | VivaAerobus 4121 | Hermosillo (HMO) Monterrey (MTY) | delayed | Refunds |
02.03.202519:35 | VivaAerobus 4120 | Monterrey (MTY) Hermosillo (HMO) | delayed | Refunds |