How Do I Claim Compensation for a Cancelled Flight

If your flight is canceled by your preferred airline without any specific reason, you can get compensation for it as per the compensation rules. But before you claim compensation for canceled flights, you should know whether you are eligible to request compensation or not.

Things to consider before claim compensation for a canceled flight

• If your flight is canceled, airlines will try to rebook you on the next available flight without any cost.
• If the airline canceled your flight without any prior notification or didn’t inform you 14 days before the scheduled departure, then you can make a compensation request.
• If your connecting flight is canceled or you miss your connecting flight due to the previous flight's delay.
• If your flight is canceled due to bad weather conditions, air traffic, or any unavoidable conditions, then you will not get any refund from airlines.

How much is compensation for a canceled flight?

The compensation amount continuously varies on the distance and ticket type, and the essential thing is that your flight is canceled. You can get compensation for canceled flight as per the given below:

For Domestic Canceled Flights

For domestic flights, the compensation price starts from $150, and you can get a maximum of $550 per passenger. The compensation amount will entirely depend on the duration and distance of your route for that you have booked your flight.

For International Canceled Flights

• If a flight is less than 1500 kilometers, you may get compensation up to $300 per passenger.
• If a flight is more than 1500 kilometers within the EU, then the compensation amount might be $475 per passenger.
• If a flight is over 3000 kilometer, then you may get compensation up to $715 per passenger.

Passenger Rights for Flight Cancellation

It is quite important to know your rights as a passenger if a flight cancellation is due to any reasons that can help you get benefits and compensation. When airlines cancel your flights and then below are your rights as a passenger:

Right to re-routing or refund

• As per the compensation rights, airlines have to choose between the flight rerouting and a refund for that canceled flight. You can choose:
• A partial, or full refund of ticket.
• Flight ticket to another date to your preferred destination.
• Rerouting to your arrival destination.

Right to compensation

• You can also get compensation along with a refund according to your compensation rights, and you can only get it in the following conditions:
• The airline didn’t inform about the cancellation 14 days or before the scheduled departure of the flight.
• The airline didn’t provide any alternate flights to your preferred destination.
• The airline notified you about the cancellation 14 days before the scheduled departure but didn't provide any alternate flight.
• If the airline cancels your flight due to weather conditions, or any unavoidable reason, then you would not get any refund or compensation.

Right to Care

Along with compensation and refund, it is the responsibility of the airline to care for their passengers, and here are the rights:

• If you are waiting for an alternative flight 2 or more hours, then the airline must offer you a free meal and other refreshments during the delay time.
• The airline must provide access to communication if there is a long delay in the alternate flight. You can contact airlines at the counter regarding that.
• If there is a long delay of more than 5 hours, then the airline must accommodate a hotel room and transportation to reach.

Required Documents to Claim Canceled Flight Compensation

It is important having proper documents to claim compensation against a canceled flight. Ensure that you have the following documents before you make a compensation request for the canceled flight:

• You must have your tickets, whether in paper mode or e-ticket that you received in the confirmation email.
• Copy of your passport or ID that indicates your name matches with the mentioned tickets. You can also use other government-issued documents.
• Proof of confirmation about the flight cancellation can help you to prove your flight had been canceled.
• You can also visit the official airline’s website or contact the customer service team to get the proper information on flight cancellation compensation.

Who is Entitled to Flight Cancellation Compensation?

• A passenger who is facing a specific delay or cancellation which causes inconvenience and the airline is responsible for the cancellation can claim compensation.
• Also, in the case of uncontrollable circumstances like weather conditions, strikes airport, political instability, security risks, or airspace restrictions, you are entitled to claim compensation for a canceled flight.
• Moreover, the airline not only provides you compensation for the delay but also pay for care expense like food and drinks at the airport.
• Aside from this, you can contact the travel insurer or credit card providers to check if you are eligible for the compensation and your trip cover such expenses.

Check Compensation Info for Various International Airlines:

• Delta Airlines
• Southwest Airlines
• United Airlines

When Can You Claim Compensation for a Canceled Flight?

There are a few situations in which you can claim compensation for your canceled flight:

• You have purchased the flight ticket from the same airline and same air carrier. In addition to this, your flight cancellation must affect your arrival to the final destination with a delay of three hours. And you can claim compensation for a canceled flight only if the airline is at fault.
• In case the airline is failing to offer you another flight to complete your journey to the final destination with a delay of more than four hours.
• Besides, you can claim compensation when the airline doesn't inform you about the flight cancellation between 7 and 23 days before the scheduled departure.
• Also, the airline doesn't offer you another flight route to reach the final destination before one hour of the scheduled departure. And you face more than two hours of the arrival time of your flight even if you have been informed about the cancellation before seven days of the departure date.

Apart from this, if you want to know more about the cancellation policy to claim compensation for a canceled flight, you should connect with the customer service team of the airline. The support team will provide you complete details about compensation and help you to get the money.

Top Airlines that offers Compensations on Your Abrupt Travel Plans

Travelling is fun and so is the fact that you should be travelling to your destination without any issue. However, many passengers face this situation where their flights are canceled due to unavoidable reasons. And in such situations, they usually look for options to get compensated for their travel plans that have gone awry. Now, when it comes to the airlines that offer compensation to their passengers for their cancelled or delayed plans, there are certain airlines that do offer various ways to compensate their passengers. Hence, read further to learn more.

What Airlines Provide Compensation to the Passengers?

The following are the major airlines that offer flight delayed/cancelled compensation to their passengers without any hassle. Besides, they are also known among the most reputed airlines that take care of their passengers with their abrupt travel plans, reservations, flight delays, and cancellations, and any other relevant inconveniences.

Delta Airlines

Delta Airlines is one of the airline that allows flight compensation to its passengers in the form of travel vouchers with $200 in it. These vouchers are provided to the passengers who have unexpectedly got their flight for more than three hours or a canceled flight due to unexpected weather or technical issues. Besides, the travel vouchers are redeemable for booking flight tickets until 2 years of the original booking date.

Southwest Airlines

Southwest is another airline that allows flight compensation to its travelers whose flights get delayed or cancelled due to one or more reasons. However, the reasons might be uncontrollable from the airline, hence, the airline will allow its passengers to either rebook their flight tickets on another flight or they can also opt for getting refunds of their airfare. Also, the airline provides a generous amount of compensation to its passengers.

United Airlines

If you are travelling on United Airlines, and your flight gets delayed or cancelled by 3 hours or more, then you’d be eligible for up to $700 per person as in compensation. However, this is only applicable if your flight delay is due to an uncontrollable situation, and also outside of the airline's control.

Allegiant Air

Allegiant Air is another airline that allows flight compensation that offers compensation in two forms i.e. either a refund for the unused portion of your fare or provides you a voucher for your future travel. However, the airline will not cover the hotel rooms, or any expenses apart from the fare prices on your itinerary. Moreover, you could also contact the airline’s customer services and talk to the live agents for better assistance.

American Airlines

American Airlines being one of the most reputed airlines in the world take cares of its passengers in every way. Besides, the airline also compensates passengers, with their flight delay to their preferred destinations of more than three hours. Also, if they are not informed about the flight delay or cancellations within less than 14 days before the scheduled departure.

Get Expert Advice on Your Flight Compensation

In the event, if you are traveling with any of the above-mentioned airlines, then feel free to contact their respective customer services, and get info on their compensation. However, if you are traveling with another airline that allows flight compensation, then also you can contact its customer services, and talk to the experts for better assistance on your delayed or canceled flights.