What rights do you have regarding UK charter airlines and charter flights?
When you arrange your flights independently, you typically book regular, scheduled flights provided by established airlines. However, if you opt for a package holiday that includes both flights and accommodation, you may find yourself on a charter flight operated by a charter airline. But what does this mean for you, and how does it impact your protection?
In the event of significant delays or cancellations to your UK charter flight, you may be entitled to flight compensation. Read on to learn more.
UK Charter Airline Flight Delays and Cancellations: Understanding Your Rights
There are two types of charters – private and public.
In this article, we will focus on public charters and discuss what you can do if your flight is delayed or cancelled.
According to European regulations, there is no difference between charter flight and scheduled flight. Your rights are the same.
1. Do UK/EU Regulations Apply to UK Charter Airlines?
The UK and EU regulations are applicable to charter flights.
UK charter airlines and charter flights adhere to the same regulations as regular airlines and scheduled flights.
If your charter flight is disrupted, you may be entitled to flight compensation.
It doesn’t matter if it’s Lufthansa, Air France, British Airways (regular airlines) or TUI (charter airline). If your flight / charter flight is delayed for 3 or more hours, cancelled or overbooked you may be entitled to a compensation of up to £520, just like you would if it was a regular, scheduled flight. Assuming that the disruption was due to the airlines fault.
If you’re traveling to, from, or within the UK/EU, you are mostly protected by European regulations, namely UK 261 and EU 261. However, if you’re flying with a non-EU, non-UK airline, these regulations still apply to flights from the UK/EU. And if you’re traveling with a UK/EU airline, these rules also apply when flying from elsewhere to Europe.
Under EU Regulation 261/2004, passengers have the right to claim compensation of up to €600 if their flight is delayed for 3 hours or more, if it gets cancelled or overbooked. This compensation applies to all flight delays and cancellations caused by the airline’s fault, including technical problems. Yes, you read that right – technical problems are considered the airline’s fault, so you can claim your compensation.
Moreover, you also have a right to care and assistance during the delay or cancellation. It’s crucial to be aware of these rights and to exercise them when necessary.
Remember, being informed about your rights as a passenger can make a significant difference when facing flight disruptions. Stay knowledgeable and assert your entitlements.
2. How Much Compensation Can You Claim for a Charter Flight?
Typically, you can claim £220, £350, or £520, depending on the distance of your flight. While there are some exceptions, the general rule is quite straightforward:
- For flights that are 1,500 km or less (1-2 hour-long flights), the compensation is GBP 220.
- For flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km — GBP 350.
- For flights exceeding 3,500 km — GBP 520.
Feel free to check your compensation online.
3. How to Claim Compensation for a Delayed, Cancelled or Overbooked Charter Flight?
How to claim compensation for delayed flight?
How to get compensation for cancelled flight?
You have two options:
- Option one is to handle the process yourself. Visit the airline’s website and locate the appropriate form. Fill it out with all the requested information and submit it. Be prepared for potential delays in their response; some airlines may require reminders. Keep in mind that obtaining compensation for a charter flight can often take months. If you require legal advice during this process, feel free to contact us.
- Alternatively, you can take the shortcut. Register your flight online by filling in the compensation claim form on this website, and our partners will take care of the rest. Simply visit the designated page on our website, provide your personal details along with information about your flight delay or cancellation, upload your boarding pass and passport copy, and sign the claim online. That’s it! From there, experts will handle the process on your behalf. It’s important to note that EU flight compensation is not limited to European passengers.
Choose the option that suits you best.
EU Charter Airlines and the EU Regulation EC261/2004
When you fly with a charter airline based in an EU country, you are entitled to protection under the EU laws, specifically the EU Regulation EC261/2004.
This regulation closely mirrors the UK Regulation 261, so the same rights and benefits apply to EU charter airlines and flights. Rest assured, you can rely on these regulations to safeguard your interests and ensure a positive travel experience.
What Are Charter Flights and Charter Airlines?
Charter airlines are airlines that offer their aircrafts for rent to third-party travel providers.
Unlike regular airlines, charter airlines provide their aircraft for rental to third-party travel providers. The key distinction between a traditional or low-cost airline and a charter airline lies in the fact that the latter exclusively offers entire aircraft for rent and does not operate scheduled flights. This fundamental difference distinguishes charter flights from scheduled flights, with charter flights typically being seasonal in nature.
There are two types of charters: public and private. Public charters are offered by airlines on a seasonal basis, operating on limited schedules. On the other hand, private charters are rented by individuals or groups for individual or group flights.
Public Charters
Public charters refer to unscheduled flights where an aircraft is rented for a specific journey outside of an airline’s regular schedule. While charter flights may adhere to a certain schedule, such as once or twice a week, they differ from regular scheduled flights in terms of booking procedures. Instead of booking tickets directly, charter flights are arranged by third-party entities such as holiday operators and travel agents, who are responsible for filling all the seats on the flight.
Passengers on a charter flight are grouped with others who have purchased the same package holiday that includes the specific chartered flight. Charter airlines primarily operate during certain seasons, catering to package holidays offered by holiday operators to popular European beach destinations like Cyprus, Greece, and Spanish islands, when the weather is most favorable.
It is worth noting that some scheduled airlines also provide additional charter services alongside their regular scheduled flights.
Popular Charter Airlines in the UK
Here is a list of UK charter airlines:
- TUI Airways – the world’s largest charter airline
- Titan Airways – a British charter airline
- Jet2 – is a low-cost leisure airline offering both scheduled and charter flights
Popular Charter Airline Destinations
- The Turkish Riviera (Antalya, Bodrum, Alanya, Marmaris)
- Egypt (Sharm el-Sheikh, Hurghada)
- The Adriatic coast of Croatia (Dubrovnik, Split)
- The Canary Islands (Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, La Palma)
- The Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza)
- Greek Islands (Corfu, Santorini, Crete, Rhodes, Mykonos, Zakynthos)
- Maldives
- Thailand (Phuket, Krabi)
- St. Martin / St. Maarten
- British Virgin Islands
Happy travels!
Keep in mind that if your flight is delayed, cancelled, or if you’ve been denied boarding, you could potentially be eligible for flight compensation. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us, and we’ll assist you promptly in resolving the matter.
Do you have more questions about UK charter airlines and charter flights? Ask in the comments.
Featured photo by Marc Coenen from Pexels