Flight delays - be aware of your rights

[heatherbelle]

My Mum has just told me that if our flights are delayed by over 5 hours, and the delay rests with the airline, you are entitled to a full refund of the flight!

If the flight is delayed because of poor weather or industiral action etc, then this is outside the airelines control, so no compensation can be claimed. Mostly the airlines try and use these things as an excuse for the delay!

It's under some sort of EU rule.

Here's I link I found, I hope none of us have to suffer a long delay on a flight, but just in case....http://www.ecic.ie/topics/air_travel.html.

You must also try and get as much evidence as possible if your are delayed, for example, names and addresses of fellow passengers, any correspondence the airline gives you and keep your tickets.

Maybe our travel agent friends on these boards can shed more light on this.

 

[patdavies]

My Mum has just told me that if our flights are delayed by over 5 hours, and the delay rests with the airline, you are entitled to a full refund of the flight!

Only if you decide not to travel

If the flight is delayed because of poor weather or industiral action etc, then this is outside the airelines control, so no compensation can be claimed. Mostly the airlines try and use these things as an excuse for the delay!

Airlines are a business like any other and will therefore strive to minimse their costs

and keep your tickets.

If you are only delayed, and do eventually fly, you will not be keeping your tickets

 

[Claire L]

Pat is correct the compensation for a delay is very little the act is mainly concerned with cancelled flights or denied boarding aka bumping. Even then the cancellation penalty only applies if the cancellation was forseen and does not include extreme weatehr, sudden techincal failure etc.

Claire

 

[Goofyish]

Also, ensure you check your travel insurance small print to see what cover you get for delays, cancellations etc. - either due to bad weather, technical problems etc.... Not all travel policies give the same cover