Winair Compensation for Flight Delays and Cancellations

Yurii Semikopenko
08.08.2024

Passengers of Winair who have faced a delayed or cancelled flight are legally entitled to compensation. Under EU Regulation 261/2004, airlines must compensate passengers if there’s a significant disruption. In this article, we’ll examine your rights and the steps you should follow to obtain the compensation you have a right to from the airline.

Winair Flight Delay or Cancellation Compensation

Before claiming the Winair compensation, you should be aware of the conditions and the amount of compensation you may expect to get in case of flight cancellation or delay.

Winair Compensation for Flight Delay

According to UK and EU regulations, passengers are eligible for up to €600 in compensation per person if their flight experiences a delay. It’s essential 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 final destination.

Let’s take a look at how much compensation you can get 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 +Distance
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

Keep in mind you may not always be compensated for every flight delay. Winair is not obliged to compensate passengers when extraordinary circumstances they cannot control arise. This covers bad weather, airport issues, or air traffic controller strikes. In these cases, you will usually not be compensated as it is not the airline’s fault.

Winair Compensation for Flight Cancellation

EU 261 states that airlines are required to notify passengers of flight cancellations at least 14 days before the scheduled flight. If the airline doesn’t provide timely notification, you may be entitled to compensation of €250-600 per passenger, based on the flight distance. However, 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 Requirements
14 DaysNone
7 – 13 DaysAlternative flight departing no more than 2 hours before and arriving less than 4 hours after the original flight
Less than 7 DaysAlternative 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 calculated based on two criteria: the flight distance and the length of the delay, in line with 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

Winair is not obliged to compensate you if they offer an alternative flight that departs and arrives near 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 workers go on strike.

Are Winair Flights Covered By EU 261/2004?

EU Regulation 261 applies to all flights departing from EU airports. It also covers 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.

Nevertheless, Winair is not a European airline. Consequently, they are not obliged to pay you compensation if their flights operate outside of Europe. This applies even to their flights to Europe if they start outside the EU.

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

How to Claim Compensation from Winair

If your travel plans have been affected by a flight cancellation or delay with Winair, it’s important to know that you might be entitled to compensation under EU laws. This is why it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the process of claiming compensation. Here’s what you need to do:

  • Complete this 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 handle the rest. We are well-versed in the EU laws well and will do our best 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 receiving the compensation you’re entitled to. 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

Winair goes the additional mile to support passengers during travel interruptions by offering services that complement flight compensation.

Right to Care

When flight disruptions occur, Winair is committed to ensuring passenger comfort through the Right to Care provision. The 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 meals and beverages appropriate to the length of delay. This may include vouchers for airport restaurants or direct distribution of snacks and drinks.
  • Communication: Winair 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, Winair arranges hotel 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 immediate assistance.

Rebooking and Refunds

When Winair cancels a flight, passengers have the option to get a full refund or rebook on an alternative flight. This option is crucial for minimizing travel inconveniences and helping passengers to manage unforeseen circumstances effectively.

  • 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, Winair 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, Winair shall arrange accommodation and transfers as needed. 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 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, Winair will assist 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.

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