Flight strike: how to request refunds and what to do

Strikes have been announced by some airlines: here are AirHelp's five tips. Refunds are expected for cancellations and delays.  

AirHelp foresees significant disruptions for those traveling by air on Wednesday, October 9. Some airlines have announced strikes by flight personnel, and passengers who arrive at their destination with at least a three-hour delay may be entitled to compensation of up to €600 per person. This also applies to travelers whose flight is cancelled and who were not informed at least 14 days before the departure date.

Here are five tips from AirHelp for passengers who experience delays or cancellations.

1. Keep your boarding pass and any other travel documents – If you don’t have your boarding pass, you can use any flight document with a booking reference number. This number is usually assigned by the airline during booking, it is a six-character code and may include both letters and numbers.
2. Ask for the reasons behind the delay – As soon as the airline announces the delay, immediately ask for the reason and try to gather as much information as possible. The more specific the reason, the better. If they mention the cause is due to “operational circumstances” or “flight safety deficiencies,” it is necessary to request further details; this information is very important for reimbursement procedures.
3. Take note of the actual arrival time at the final destination – When the plane has actually landed at the gate and the door opens, it is recommended to note the actual arrival time. If the delay is more than three hours, you may be entitled to compensation.
4. Ask the airline to cover your meals and drinks – If you are forced to wait for an extended period at the airport, depending on the length of the delay and the flight, the airline is required to provide free food and drinks to all passengers. It’s not just good manners, it’s a right for all passengers.
5. Do not sign anything or accept any offer that may waive your rights – Airlines may offer vouchers or other gifts, and while these may seem tempting, they could cause you to lose your right to further compensation.

Passenger rights

In April 2018, the European Court of Justice ruled that airline staff strikes cannot be considered an ‘extraordinary circumstance’ and therefore are eligible for compensation by law. “It is now important for all passengers to monitor the situation and regularly check the status of their flight,” says Roberta Fichera, spokesperson for AirHelp. “Any change of booking involving buses, trains or other flights should not be made in any case without prior notification from the airline.”

Flights delayed beyond 5 hours

“From a delay of over five hours, the airline is required to reimburse passengers the full ticket price,” continues Roberta Fichera. “In case of a delay of more than two hours and a distance of over 1,500 kilometers, the operating airline must provide meals and drinks to passengers at the airport, as well as the possibility to make two phone calls or send two faxes or emails. If necessary, airlines must also provide accommodation and facilitate transportation. We advise all passengers to request this service from the airline. AirHelp helps air travelers obtain fair compensation and, when necessary, takes airlines to court.”

Cancelled or delayed flights

For delayed, cancelled, or denied boarding flights, all airlines (including low-cost carriers) must provide compensation ranging from €250 up to €600, regardless of the price paid for the ticket.

Pubblicato in Flights and Airlines