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When your flight is delayed, cancelled, or overbooked, you may be entitled to compensation. Yet, many passengers are unaware of their rights.
In certain situations, airlines must pay financial compensation when the disruption is within their control. This can represent several hundred dollars depending on the flight distance and applicable regulations.
However, undertaking the process can be complex. This is precisely where services like AirHelp come in, a platform that helps passengers check their eligibility and claim compensation.
In this article, we explain how AirHelp works, in which cases compensation is possible, and how to initiate a claim after a delayed or cancelled flight.
Flight delays, cancellations, and overbookings are more frequent than one might believe. Every year, millions of passengers experience air disruptions worldwide.
These situations can lead to unforeseen costs, such as a hotel night, an extra meal, or a new plane ticket. However, many travelers are unaware that they could be entitled to compensation.
It is in this context that services like AirHelp intervene. This platform informs passengers about their rights and helps them check if compensation is possible after a delayed or cancelled flight.
On its site, AirHelp also offers several resources to understand compensation rules and the steps to follow depending on the situation.
According to certain regulations, airlines may be required to compensate passengers when their flight is delayed, cancelled, or overbooked.
However, conditions vary by jurisdiction and the circumstances of the disruption. For example, compensation is generally possible when the situation is within the airline’s control.
In practice, initiating a claim can sometimes be complex. Passengers must often provide several pieces of information, such as the flight number, travel date, and details of the disruption.
Specialized services like AirHelp offer to carry out these steps on behalf of passengers. The platform analyzes the file and can undertake the necessary steps with the airline.
Flight delays and cancellations can occur with any airline, even the most reputable ones.
In the European Union, for example, passengers may be protected by European Regulation EC 261/2004. This regulation sometimes provides for compensation when a flight’s arrival is delayed by three hours or more.
Furthermore, international flights may also be covered by the Montreal Convention. This allows passengers to claim certain damages related to travel disruptions.
A delay or cancellation can quickly disrupt a travel itinerary. That is why it can be useful to know your rights and possible recourses.
Flight delays and cancellations are unfortunately part of air travel. Many travelers have already experienced a long delay on the tarmac or a last-minute cancellation.
In these situations, many passengers simply accept the solution proposed by the airline. Yet, certain laws protect travelers when their flight is disrupted.
Depending on the applicable regulations, you may be entitled to compensation, a refund, or assistance while waiting. Rules vary, however, by country and flight itinerary.
For example, certain rights may apply in the event of a significant delay, flight cancellation, denied boarding, or baggage-related issues. Understanding these rules can help you initiate a claim when the situation allows.
When a flight is delayed or cancelled, it can be difficult to know if compensation is possible. Rules vary by jurisdiction and the circumstances of the disruption.
Platforms like AirHelp offer to analyze your flight to determine if compensation could be claimed. You simply need to provide certain information about your itinerary.
According to applicable regulations, compensation can sometimes reach several hundred euros or dollars per passenger. The amount generally depends on the flight distance and the duration of the delay.
AirHelp also offers a service called AirHelp Plus, which provides certain additional benefits to frequent travelers, such as assistance in the event of a flight disruption.
To start a claim, you must provide your flight details on the AirHelp platform. The service then analyzes the information to check your eligibility.
If your case is eligible, AirHelp can submit a compensation claim to the airline on your behalf. The platform then follows up on the file and can intervene if the carrier contests the request.
To complete your file, certain information is generally required, including:
This information is usually found on your electronic ticket or in your booking confirmation.
In some cases, it may also be useful to provide additional documents, such as boarding passes or booking confirmations.
After opening the file, the processing time may vary depending on the airline and the complexity of the situation.
AirHelp is a company specialized in claiming compensation for air passengers. The platform was founded in 2013 and helps travelers claim compensation after a delayed, cancelled, or overbooked flight.
Concretely, AirHelp acts as an intermediary between the passenger and the airline. The service first checks if your flight is eligible for compensation according to the applicable regulations.
If your case is eligible, AirHelp can undertake the steps with the airline. In some cases, the company can also initiate legal proceedings when the carrier refuses to pay the compensation.
However, like several services of this type, AirHelp charges a commission on the compensation obtained. The service can therefore simplify the process, but it reduces the final amount you receive.
For this reason, some travelers prefer to file their claim themselves with the airline. Others choose AirHelp to avoid administrative procedures.
In summary, AirHelp can be useful if you wish to delegate the claim. However, it is always possible to request compensation directly from the carrier.
In addition to services like AirHelp, certain credit cards offer travel insurance that can cover certain costs related to flight delays.
For example, several credit cards include flight delay insurance that reimburses certain expenses when your flight is delayed for several hours.
Depending on the card, this insurance can cover expenses such as:
This protection does not always replace compensation provided by regulations, but it can help reduce unforeseen costs while waiting.
To benefit from it, you generally must have paid for your plane ticket with the credit card that includes the insurance.
You can consult our guide on credit card flight delay insurance to compare the protections offered.
Flight delays and cancellations are unfortunately part of the reality of air travel. Yet, many passengers are unaware that they can sometimes obtain compensation.
Depending on the circumstances and applicable regulations, financial compensation may be offered when the airline is responsible for the disruption.
In this context, AirHelp acts as an intermediary that simplifies the process. The platform checks a flight’s eligibility and can undertake the claim with the airline.
That said, it is always possible to make the request directly to the carrier.
AirHelp checks for free if your flight is eligible for compensation. However, if the claim is successful, the platform retains a commission from the amount obtained.
Compensation is sometimes possible in the event of a significant delay, last-minute cancellation, or denied boarding. The disruption must generally be within the airline’s control.
Depending on the applicable regulations and the flight distance, compensation can reach up to approximately €600 in certain cases.
Yes. It is possible to make a request directly to the airline. Services like AirHelp simplify the process but charge a commission.
The time limit depends on the country and the applicable regulations. In some cases, a claim can be filed several years after the flight.
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