Flight delays and cancellations are the most frequent issues encountered by travelers. Luckily, the European Union has EU Regulation 261, which guarantees that you, as a passenger, are not left in a difficult situation and that your rights are protected. The EU 261/2004 specifies the situations in which passengers are eligible for compensation and assistance in cases of flight disruption.
Here, you will find everything you need to know about EU 261 regulation and in which situations you are eligible for compensation.
Passenger Rights under EU 261/2004
According to EU Regulation 261/2004, passengers departing from or arriving at Václav Havel Airport Prague on flights operated by EU-based airlines have certain rights when facing significant cancellations or delays. 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: If an overnight stay is necessary, the airline is required to offer assistance, including hotel stays and transport to and from the hotel;
- Ticket refund or alternative flight: Passengers have the option to choose either a full refund of their ticket, including any extra costs, or rebooking on an alternative flight to their final destination;
- Compensation: If the delay was not caused by extraordinary circumstances and was within the airline’s control, passengers could qualify for financial compensation ranging from €250 to €600, depending on the flight distance and length of the delay.
Václav Havel Airport Prague Flight Delay Compensation
Flyers experiencing flight delays at Václav Havel Airport Prague 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 cause of the delay and whether it adheres to UK and EU laws. The amount of compensation is calculated 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 due to extraordinary circumstances outside their control.
Václav Havel Airport Prague Flight Cancellation Compensation
In case of a cancelled flight causing inconvenience at the Václav Havel Airport Prague, under EU Regulation 261, travelers may get compensation of up to €600 if the airline informs them less than 14 days before departure.
Nonetheless, there are exceptions to this law. The airline might 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 |
Financial compensation may still be available even if you accept an alternative flight, provided your arrival at the final destination is significantly delayed. The compensation amount is calculated by the flight distance and the duration 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 offer compensation for cancellations due to extraordinary circumstances outside their control, such as extreme weather conditions or air traffic control strikes.
Which Václav Havel Airport Prague Flights are Covered by EU261?
If you are departing from an airport within the European Union and flying on a flight originating in the EU operated by an airline, you are protected under EU Regulation 261/2004, which defines your air passenger rights. This law applies to both domestic and international flights and ensures that you have certain rights in the event of delays, flight cancellations, denied boarding, and other similar situations. Here’s a more detailed table of which cases are protected by EU Regulation 261:
| Itinerary | EU Airline | Non-EU Airline |
| Departures from Václav Havel Airport Prague to anywhere | Yes | Yes |
| Arrivals at Václav Havel Airport Prague from inside the EU | Yes | No |
| Arrivals at Václav Havel Airport Prague from outside the EU | Yes | No |
How to Claim Compensation from Václav Havel Airport Prague
Flight cancellations and delays are common due to factors such as bad weather, air traffic congestion, mechanical problems, or staffing issues. If you encounter a flight disruption at Václav Havel Airport Prague, you could be eligible for compensation under European Union Regulation 261/2004.
To initiate a compensation claim, follow these steps:
- Fill in this form. You’ll need to provide details like your flight number, date, and what went wrong.
- Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will take over. We are well-versed in the EU laws thoroughly and will do our best to obtain your rightful compensation. You only pay us if we win your case.
It is important to note that the compensation claim process requires documents such as booking confirmation and boarding pass.
Recent Flight Delays and Cancellations
Was your flight delayed or cancelled? Find your flight in the table below and use our claims checker to see if you are eligible for compensation.
Did not find your flight in our table? Fill in our compensation form, and we will check it for you.
| Date | Flight number | Route | Status | Compensation |
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