Flying with obstacles – How to get your money back when your flight hits a bump in the air

Delays and cancellations are particularly annoying during the Christmas season! With the EU Air Passenger Rights Regulation, you can turn your annoyance into cash.

The festive season is approaching, and many people in Marina Alta and Marina Baixa are packing their bags to visit family or escape everyday life. But the reality of travelling can be bumpy: flight delays, cancellations or long waiting times can quickly dampen the mood. Fortunately, there is the EU Air Passenger Rights Regulation, which at least provides a small consolation in the form of compensation.

Compensation: This is how much you can get
The EU Air Passenger Rights Regulation stipulates that passengers can receive financial compensation of up to €600 in the event of significant delays. The amount depends on the flight distance:

250 euros: flights up to 1,500 kilometres
400 euros: flights between 1,500 and 3,500 kilometres (or within
the EU over 1,500 kilometres)
600 euros: flights over 3,500 kilometres

The highlight: These amounts apply regardless of the ticket price – even a cheap flight can result in a generous refund.
When will I receive my refund?
The airline only has to pay if the delay or cancellation is within its sphere of influence. This includes technical problems or organisational errors. In exceptional circumstances such as strikes, natural disasters or bad weather, it is not obliged to pay compensation.

Another criterion: The flight must either depart from or arrive in the EU and be operated by an airline based in the EU, Switzerland, Iceland or Norway.

Your right to a ticket refund
If the delay is five hours or longer, you can cancel the flight entirely and receive a refund for the ticket price.

This also applies if the delay renders your onward journey pointless, for example because you will miss an important appointment.

How do you set Your claims through?
Complain directly to the airline: Write to the airline, ideally enclosing your booking confirmation and other relevant documents.

Use online portals: Many airlines offer complaint options on their websites. For example https://www.flightright.es, https://www.airhelp.com…

Seek professional helpThere are specialised service providers such as Flightright or Airhelp who will review and enforce your claim. They often only charge a commission if they are successful.

For SpainThose affected can also contact the Agencia Estatal de Seguridad Aérea (AESA), which will help you enforce your rights.

AESA complaints: https://sede.seguridadaerea.gob.es/sede-aesa/areas-tematicas/derechos-de-los-pasajeros

For GermanyFor flights booked there, the Schlichtungsstelle für den Öffentlichen Personenverkehr e.V. (Public Transport Arbitration Board) offers free assistance: www.soep-online.de

Humour through the annoyance: waiting with a view
Of course, waiting times are still annoying when flights are delayed. But knowing that you may be entitled to substantial compensation might make the wait a little easier. And who knows – maybe you can use the time at the airport to plan your next travel destinations. Because one thing is certain: when you are well prepared for flying, even a little chaos is easier to bear.