Hamburg Airport Flight Delay and Cancellation Compensation

Flight delays and cancellations are the most common issues experienced by travelers. Luckily, the European Union has EU 261 regulation, which guarantees that you, as a passenger, are not left in a difficult situation and that your rights are protected. The European Union Regulation 261/2004 outlines the conditions when passengers are eligible for compensation and assistance in cases of flight disruption.

In this article, you will find everything you need to know about Regulation EU261 and when you are entitled to compensation.

Passenger Rights under EU 261/2004

According to EU Regulation 261/2004, passengers departing from or arriving at Hamburg Airport on flights operated by EU-based airlines have certain rights if they experience significant delays or cancellations. These rights include:

• Food and drinks: Airlines must provide proper meals and beverages during the waiting period.
• Access to means of communication: Passengers should be provided two free phone calls, emails, or faxes.
• Hotel accommodation if necessary: When an overnight stay is necessary, the airline is obligated to provide accommodation and transportation to and from the hotel.
• Ticket refund or alternative flight: Travelers have the option to choose between a full refund of their ticket or rebooking on an alternative flight to their final destination.
• Compensation: Depending on the flight distance and length of delay, passengers might be entitled to financial compensation between €250 to €600.

Hamburg Airport Flight Delay Compensation

Flyers experiencing flight delays at Hamburg Airport could be entitled to compensation of up to 600 euros per person, especially if the delay lasts longer than three hours. The right to compensation is decided by the reason for the delay and whether it follows UK and EU regulations. The amount of compensation is based on the time of arrival at the destination rather than departure time and is influenced by the distance of the flight and the duration of the delay.

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

Keep in mind that airlines are not required to provide compensation for flight delays caused by extraordinary circumstances outside their control.

Hamburg Airport Flight Cancellation Compensation

In case of a flight cancellation causing inconvenience at the Hamburg Airport, according to EU Regulation 261, travelers may get compensation of up to €600 if the airline informs them of the cancellation less than 14 days before departure.

However, there are exceptions to this law. The airline may be exempt from compensating passengers if it provides an alternative flight that meets specific criteria, letting you arrive at your destination with the minimal delay possible:

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

Compensation might still be available even though you agree to an alternative flight, provided your arrival at the final destination is significantly delayed. The compensation amount is based on the distance of the flight and the length of the delay. You can refer to the following table to figure out the amount of compensation you are entitled to:

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

Keep in mind that airlines usually don’t provide compensation for cancellations caused by extraordinary circumstances beyond their control, such as extreme weather conditions or strikes by air traffic controllers.

Which Hamburg Airport Flights are Covered by EU261?

If you are departing from an airport in the European Union and flying with an airline flight from the EU, you are protected under EU Regulation 261/2004. This law ensures that you have certain rights in the event of a delay, flight cancellation, denied boarding, and other similar situations. Here’s a more detailed table of what situations are protected by EU Regulation 261 and which are not:

Itinerary	EU Airline	Non-EU Airline
Departures from Hamburg Airport to anywhere	Yes	Yes
Arrivals at Hamburg Airport from inside the EU	Yes	No
Arrivals at Hamburg Airport Airport from outside the EU	Yes	No

How to Claim Compensation from Hamburg Airport

Flight disruptions often occur due to factors such as bad weather, air traffic congestion, mechanical problems, or crew shortages. If you encounter a flight disruption at Hamburg Airport, you may be entitled to compensation under EU 261/2004.

To initiate a compensation claim, take the following steps:

1. Fill in our form. You’ll need to provide details like your flight number, date, and what went wrong.
2. Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will handle the rest. We are well-versed in the EU laws thoroughly and will make every effort to obtain your rightful compensation. You only incur a fee if we win your case.