London Gatwick Airport Flight Delay and Cancellation Compensation

Cancelled and delayed flights are the most frequent problems faced by travelers. Fortunately, the European Union has EU Regulation 261, which ensures that you, as a passenger, are not left in a difficult situation and that your rights are protected. The EU Regulation 261/2004 defines the situations under which passengers are entitled to compensation and assistance in the event of flight disruption.

Here, you will find everything you need to know about EU 261 regulation and under what circumstances you are eligible for compensation.

Passenger Rights under EU 261/2004

Under EU Regulation 261/2004, travelers departing from or arriving at London Gatwick Airport on flights operated by EU-based airlines have certain rights when facing significant delays or cancellations. These rights include:

• Food and drinks: Airlines must provide proper meals and refreshments during the waiting period.
• Access to means of communication: Passengers should be offered two free phone calls, emails, or faxes.
• Hotel accommodation if necessary: If an overnight stay is required, the airline must provide accommodation and transportation to and from the hotel.
• Ticket refund or alternative flight: Passengers can choose between a full refund of their ticket or rebooking on an alternative flight to their final destination.
• Compensation: Based on the flight distance and length of delay, passengers could qualify for financial compensation between €250 to €600.

London Gatwick Airport Flight Delay Compensation

Travelers experiencing flight delays at London Gatwick Airport might be eligible for 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 adheres to 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 length 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 resulting from extraordinary circumstances outside their control.

London Gatwick Airport Flight Cancellation Compensation

In case of a flight cancellation causing inconvenience at the London Gatwick Airport, under EU 261/2004, passengers may receive compensation of up to €600 if the airline informs them of the cancellation less than 14 days before departure.

Nonetheless, 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 may 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 determined by the distance of the flight and the duration of the delay. You can check the following table to figure out the compensation amount you are eligible for:

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 typically don’t provide compensation for flight cancellations due to extraordinary circumstances outside their control, such as extreme weather conditions or air traffic control strikes.

Which London Gatwick Airport Flights are Covered by EU261?

When you’re departing from an airport within the European Union and flying with an airline flight originating in the EU, you are protected under EU Regulation 261/2004. This law ensures that you have certain rights in case 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 London Gatwick Airport to anywhere	Yes	Yes
Arrivals at London Gatwick Airport from inside the EU	Yes	No
Arrivals at London Gatwick Airport from outside the EU	Yes	No

How to Claim Compensation from London Gatwick Airport

Flight delays and cancellations are common due to factors such as adverse weather conditions, air traffic congestion, technical problems, or crew shortages. If you encounter a flight disruption at London Gatwick Airport, you could be eligible for compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004.

To initiate your compensation claim, take the following steps:

1. Complete our form. You’ll need to provide details like your flight number, date, and the problem you faced.
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 do our best to secure your compensation. You only incur a fee if we win your case.

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