Tips for Business Travel Agents: What You Should Know About Flight Delay Compensation

Do you arrive at the airport, your flight is delayed or even canceled? Flight delay compensation is an important topic for travelers to be aware of, especially when it comes to business travel. Whether it’s bad weather like snow, a security alert, or a strike, there are many reasons for flight delays and cancellations. But whatever the reason, it means that you have to involuntarily stay longer at the airport before you can travel to your destination or back home. Additionally, you may be entitled to flight delay compensation or a refund. Here are some important rules to help make sure you don’t run out of pocket and make the most of unintentionally earned overtime.

1. Know your rights

From getting reimbursed for all your food and beverage expenses to getting a hotel or alternative transportation, you need to know what you’re entitled to. Therefore, if your flight is canceled or long delayed, you are protected by the denied boarding regulations (EU regulation 261/2004 and repeal of regulation (EEC) n ° 295/91). Unless ‘extraordinary circumstances’ apply, you can claim financial compensation for flight delay for canceled or severely delayed flights totaling:

€ 250 (£ 210) for flights within the EU of 930 miles or less

€ 400 (£ 330) for flights between 930 and 1,860 miles

€ 600 (£ 500) for other trips (long-haul flights)

Applies to EU flights, which includes all flights departing or arriving at an EU airport with an EU-based airline. In addition, your compensation may be reduced by 50% depending on the flight distance and the final arrival time. This means that the reduced compensation applies to short-haul flights within two hours, medium-haul flights within three hours, and long-haul flights within four hours. But remember, flight delay compensation is only applicable if it is the airline’s fault (i.e. no act of God, such as natural catastrophes, including earthquakes, volcanoes, or bad weather or political unrest). To claim flight delay compensation, simply write to your airline stating the flight number, the date, the length of the delay and the reason for the claim. Sometimes airlines try to offer you coupons as flight delay compensation, but you don’t have to accept them and you can request a cash refund. If your airline refuses to compensate you, contact the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for support and advice. Note that technical failures, unless they are the consequence of events that, due to their nature or origin, are not part of the normal business of the airline, do not count as extraordinary circumstances.

Your right to a refund comes into play, if the delay is a minimum of five hours. You should get a refund within seven days, for the cost of the airfare, the part of the trip not traveled and the parts already traveled, as long as they are useless afterwards. Where applicable, you may even be entitled to the earliest possible return flight to your departure destination or route change along with a refund.

During the trip interruption, you should receive assistance from your airline, which includes food, beverages, two free phone calls, faxes or emails, as well as accommodation and transfers to and from the hotel, where applicable. This is regardless of the reason for the delay / cancellation.

2. Networks

It’s always good to make friends, so why not use downtime to expand your network? Try to see the positives in dealing with flight delays. Viewed from a practical level, you may be able to share the costs, for example for a taxi into town. It can also be helpful to be polite to airport staff. Especially in these kinds of situations, they come across many stressed and hostile customers, although the delay / cancellation is not their fault. If you are friendly, they are much more likely to help you, maybe even give you some additional advice.

3. Destroy the airport waiting rooms.

Those of you who fly business class or are members of corporate airline loyalty or frequent flyer schemes will already be in the VIP lounge enjoying a good drink and peanuts. It is a much calmer and more relaxed environment. This may be the best option when you have to wait for a delayed flight. But if you are not flying business class or a member of a loyalty program, be aware that in some cases these lounges are not exclusive and you may be able to access them for a fee of around £ 20. This could be Much cheaper than buying food and drink at an airport bar.

Additionally, the front desk agents in these rooms are often authorized to make quick changes to last-minute reservations, and there are typically far fewer people ahead of you in the queue. At least you can enjoy the free Wi-Fi and snacks (or drink!) While you have to wait. In the event of a flight cancellation or significant delay, and you are at the airport, immediately contact the airline you are traveling with. To change your ticket and receive advice on available options, it is best to go to your airline’s ticket counter as soon as possible. Your business travel management company must continually provide proactive phone support at all times, as Flightline Travel does.

What are your best tips for dealing with flight delays and cancellations?

© Copyright Flightline Travel Management Ltd. All rights reserved. All amounts and prices indicated are correct at time of publication.

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