What are your legal rights for a replacement flight?
We know how frustrating it can be when flights get cancelled. It can disrupt travel schedules and cause significant inconvenience. It’s extremely annoying when you arrive at the airport excitedly, only to be informed that your flight is cancelled. This is why it’s crucial to understand your rights as an air passenger. Did you know that you’re entitled to a replacement flight if your initial flight was cancelled, regardless of the reason? The same applies to most missed connecting flights.
In this blog post, we’ll be discussing your entitlement to a replacement flight after cancellation and why it’s important to know.
1. Your Legal Rights for a Replacement Flight
What are your passenger rights for cancelled flights?
In the event of a flight cancellation, are you eligible for a replacement flight?
Firstly, it’s essential to understand that your entitlement to a new flight after cancellation is a legal right. Under EU Regulation 261/2004 and UK 261, if your flight is cancelled, carriers must offer you the choice between a full refund of the ticket price or a new flight to your intended destination. It is important to note that the replacement flight should be offered at no additional cost to you.
If the options provided by your airline do not align with your travel plans, you are entitled to request a flight with an alternative airline.
It’s crucial to act quickly when your flight gets cancelled. If you have not yet been contacted by the airline, it is advisable to reach out to them to inquire about alternative flight arrangements. In the case of receiving an email notification regarding the cancellation and the available alternative flights or refund, it is highly recommended to respond promptly with your decision. This becomes even more vital during peak travel seasons when replacement flights are quickly filled.
1.1 Flight Cancellation Due to Extraordinary Circumstances
You’re entitled to a replacement flight even if your flight was cancelled due to extraordinary circumstances. Extraordinary circumstances are situations deemed beyond the airline’s control, such as bad weather, strikes unrelated to the airline, or political unrest.
It’s essential to note that you have a right to care if a flight is cancelled due to any of these events. This means that the airline must provide food, drinks, and overnight accommodation (if necessary) until the next available flight.
If your flight is cancelled due to extraordinary circumstances, you are entitled to a replacement flight to your intended destination.
2. Non-European Airlines
What are your legal rights for a replacement flight if it’s a non-European airline?
It’s important to know that your entitlement to a replacement flight depends on the airline responsible for the cancellation. If the airline is based in the EU or the UK, you’re protected under EU Regulation 261/2004 and the Regulation UK 261.
However, if the airline is based outside the EU/the UK, you may not be covered by these regulations. Nevertheless, many airlines adopt similar policies regarding flight cancellation and delay.
However, it’s worth noting that even when flying with a non-European airline, you may still be protected by European laws. If your flight departs from Europe (the UK or the EU), you are still entitled to a replacement flight in the event of a cancellation.
Read more:
- You Are Flying With a UK Airline: Which Laws Protect You as a Passenger?
- You Are Flying With a EU Airline: Which Laws Protect You as a Passenger?
- You Are Flying With a Non-EU, Non-UK Airline: Which Laws Protect You?
3. Denied Boarding Due to Overbooking
What are your legal rights for a replacement flight in cases of flight overbooking?
You are entitled to a new flight in another scenario: when you are denied boarding due to overbooking. Whether it is a voluntary or involuntary denial, the airline is obligated to provide you with a complimentary alternative flight.
In addition to the new flight, you have a right to care.
If you have been denied boarding involuntarily, you also may be entitled to denied boarding compensation (in addition to care from the airline and a new flight).
4. Missed Connecting Flight
Similar rules apply to missed connecting flights.
If you miss a connecting flight through no fault of your own, the airline has to give you a new flight for free. This applies only to connecting flights. If you miss a self-transfer flight, this is your responsibility – no airline is going to be held accountable for arranging a new flight.
You may also get a compensation if you miss connection. Not for the missed connection, but for arriving later than planned (with delay).
5. Flight Cancelled: What to Do?
What to do if your flight is cancelled?
Let’s start by determining how many days prior to your departure the cancellation occurred. If your flight is canceled more than two weeks before your scheduled trip, you have two options: you can request a new flight to your destination at no additional cost, or you can choose to receive a full refund, which will be credited to your bank account.
For last-minute cancellations, the appropriate course of action will depend on your location at the time of receiving the notification about flight cancellation. If you are at home, you may choose to arrive at the airport later than originally planned. However, this will be contingent upon the timing of your newly arranged flight.
If you happen to be at the airport when you receive notice of the flight cancellation, it is advisable to contact your airline directly or locate their representatives within the airport. They will assist you in securing a new flight to your intended destination. In the case of having a protected connecting flight, the airline will also arrange a new connecting flight for you.
5.1 Claim Compensation for a Cancelled Flight
Keep in mind that you may be entitled to flight cancellation compensation.
Many people are unaware of the appropriate course of action when faced with a flight cancellation, and often settle for whatever is offered (for example, flight vouchers). However, it’s important to know that if a flight is cancelled due to the airline’s fault, you may be entitled to receive flight cancellation compensation of up to GBP 520 per passenger.
In addition, the airline is still responsible for ensuring that you reach your destination or providing a full refund. These regulations specifically apply to flights to or from the UK/EU.
If you are flying with a non-EU airline, these rules only apply to flights departing from Europe.
Thanks to Regulations EC 261 and UK 261 which were created to safeguard the rights of air passengers, you can now easily submit your claim for compensation in case of flight cancellation.
Read more: What to Do if Your Flight Is Cancelled?
By Europe and EU here on this page we mean all EU Member States, the United Kingdom (UK), Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion, Mayotte, Saint Martin (French Antilles), the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.
If you have any further inquiries regarding your rights as an air passenger in the UK or UK flight compensation, feel free to ask in the comments section. We are here to assist you with any questions you may have.