What to do in the event of a flight delay?

According to FlightStats in Europe alone, there are 1,900 flights delayed every day on average, of which 200 are cancelled. Delays have become so common that every fifth flight is delayed. The delay can be just a few minutes or up to several days. In any case, delays are very unpleasant for passengers. However, you can prepare yourself well if you know how to react.

When booking a ticket

It is best to prepare for a possible delay when purchasing a plane ticket. If you are buying tickets for connecting flights, buy them all at once. Otherwise, in case of a delay, the airline is not obliged to provide an alternative connecting flight. When booking a ticket, it is also worth making sure you arrive at the destination a few hours before the start of the boarding procedure. At Delayco, we have seen many cases where passengers missed their obligations (conferences, lectures, events, etc.) due to short delays.

At the airport

If, while you are waiting for a flight, you notice that your flight has been rescheduled, it is good to adhere to some principles. It is always good to know your rights and, in the event of a delay, strict provisions apply in the European Union concerning what passengers are entitled to. If your flight is delayed by more than 2 hours, you may be entitled to refreshments, and if the delay is over 3 hours, you are entitled to compensation. More information on rights is available on this web-page. 

In any case, it is necessary to keep your invoices and plane tickets, as this is the only way to claim a refund. At the airport, try to get as much information as possible about the reason for the flight delay and whether other planes have been delayed as well. This will help you assess whether you are entitled to compensation.

At home

After returning from a trip, it is best to check your rights in peace depending on the country you are arriving from or departing to. At Delayco, we will be happy to answer all your questions at info@delayco.com. Scan all invoices and tickets and claim compensation, as you could be entitled to €600.

Air travel can be very unpredictable and stressful, and it’s only up to you to relieve this stress. In the end, you can turn bad experiences to your advantage and get a refund of your travel expenses.

Date: 20.9.2019