One of the most common factors behind flight interruptions is flight strikes, which are often organized by airline workers, an airport itself, or an airline. As a passenger, you should be aware of EU Regulation 261, under which you may be qualified for compensation of up to 600 Euros.
Continue reading to find out how you can get compensation and when you qualify.
Your Passenger Rights
The good news is that every air traveler is protected by the EU 261 regulation. The EU 261 is a European Union law that sets the rules for compensation and assistance to passengers in cases of flight delays and cancellations. Now, let’s take a closer look at passenger rights, under EU 261/2004:
- The airline has to provide passengers with information about their rights.
- In the event of flight cancellation, a passenger has the right to select one of these options: either a ticket refund or rebooking to the final destination under similar conditions;
- Passengers can expect to receive meals and drinks; they are also entitled to have two free phone calls, e-mails, or faxes.
- If you decide to reroute, and it involves an overnight stay, the airline is obligated to provide hotel accommodation, as well as transportation between the the hotel and airport.
- Compensation from 250 to 600 euros per passenger
When You Are Entitled to Heston Airlines Strike Compensation
Often, Heston Airlines strikes involve their staff. These could be engineers, pilots, flight attendants, or other essential employees. As you’re now aware, you can seek compensation for airline strikes, if your travel was disrupted. The compensation will then cover the inconvenience you encountered due to the strike.
It is also essential to understand what “extraordinary circumstances” are. These are events beyond the airline’s control. If a strike is considered one of these circumstances, the airline is not obliged to provide compensation. It is important to note if a staff strike occurs, the airline could have potentially foreseen and managed such incidents, therefore such cases are within the airline’s control. That is when flight disruptions are caused by the airline’s own employees, these are not cases of extraordinary circumstances. Consequently, passengers are entitled to claim flight compensation.
However, you should understand that each incident is unique, meaning that every flight disruption caused by a strike must be carefully analyzed to determine whether the airline will pay compensation.
Heston Airlines Strike Compensation
Before seeking the airline strike compensation, you should be aware of the conditions and the amount of compensation you might receive.
Heston Airlines Strike Flight Delay Compensation
The longer a flight is delayed, the more trouble it causes travelers. When airline workers go on strike, it can disrupt passengers’ plans and make them arrive at their final destination much later than expected. It is important to know that if your flight is delayed for more than 3 hours because of a strike, you are entitled to compensation from the airline for the inconvenience caused.
When considering the potential sum of compensation, passengers should take two critical factors into account: the flight’s distance and the delay length they experience. It is important to understand these details, as only that is how you can be calm regarding the fair flight delay compensation you deserve. Below you can see a table with the amounts of compensation you could receive.
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 |
Heston Airlines Strike Flight Cancellation Compensation
Sometimes, it also happens that airline strikes result in flight cancellation. Under EU Regulation 261, you may receive compensation of up to 600 Euros. Keep in mind that the regulation also states that you are entitled to compensation in the case when the airline informed you about the cancellation less than two weeks before your travel.
Nevertheless, there are always some exceptions to the regulations, and here is the case. The airline is entitled to avoid paying compensation if it provides the passenger an alternative flight. This alternative flight must meet the conditions enumerated below:
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 |
Importantly, if you used an alternative flight but your final arrival time at the destination point was still delayed, you have a right to claim compensation.
The amount of the compensation is determined by the flight distance and the time of delay in arriving at the final destination. Check the table below for additional information:
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 |
Which Heston Airlines Flights Are Covered by EU261?
EU261 regulation covers every flight departing from airports in the EU, regardless of the airline, as well as flights arriving in the EU from non-EU countries if they are operated by airlines based in the EU. The regulation also covers flights to/from Norway, Switzerland, and Iceland.
The following table shows which Heston Airlines flights are protected by EU Regulation 261:
Itinerary | Covered by EU 261 |
Flights departing the EU airports | ✅ Covered |
Flights arriving at the EU airports | ✅ Covered |
How to Claim Heston Airlines Strike Compensation
If you’ve experienced flight cancellations or delays at least once, you understand how annoying it can be.
Travelers who face any of these issues on Heston Airlines flights are entitled to claim compensation, according to European Union regulations. Follow these steps to claim compensation:
- 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 manage the process. We understand the EU laws thoroughly and will strive to obtain your rightful compensation. You only pay us if we win your case.