Is there compensation if my flight is delayed?
September 11, 2023 | 45,00 EUR | answered by Ralf Schlittmaier
Dear travel law attorney,
My name is Lucas Höfer and I recently took a flight where my flight was significantly delayed. Specifically, it was a flight from Frankfurt to Mallorca that had more than four hours of delay. As a result, my travel plans were significantly disrupted and I missed important appointments at my destination.
I am unsure whether I am entitled to compensation in this case and how I can claim it. I have already tried to complain to the airline, but I was only informed that it was an unforeseeable technical issue and therefore they were not responsible for the delay.
Since I suffered financial losses and lost time due to the delay, it is important for me to know if there are legal options to receive compensation for the damage caused. Are there any laws or regulations that could help me in this case? How much could a possible compensation amount be and how can I claim it?
I would greatly appreciate it if you could assist me in this matter and provide me with information about my rights as a passenger in case of flight delays. Thank you in advance for your support.
Sincerely,
Lucas Höfer
Dear Mr. Höfer,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding your flight delay on the flight from Frankfurt to Mallorca. I am sorry to hear that you missed important appointments on site due to the delay and had to accept financial losses and time delays. I am happy to provide you with information about your rights and options.
In cases of flight delays like the one you experienced, there are legal regulations that protect passengers and provide for compensation. EU Regulation 261/2004 regulates the rights of air passengers in cases of flight delays, cancellations, and overbookings. According to this regulation, passengers are entitled to compensation under certain conditions for a delay of more than three hours.
In your case, since the flight from Frankfurt to Mallorca was delayed by more than four hours, you are generally entitled to compensation. The exact amount of compensation depends on the distance of the flight and is €400 for a distance of more than 1500 km. Since Mallorca is further than 1500 km from Frankfurt, you can claim compensation in this amount.
To claim your compensation, you should contact the airline directly and submit a formal request for compensation. It is important to provide all relevant information such as flight number, booking confirmation, and the exact circumstances of the delay. If the airline refuses to pay you compensation, you can turn to a mediation center or a lawyer specialized in aviation law to enforce your rights.
I recommend documenting all documents and communication with the airline carefully to secure your claims. If you have any further questions or need assistance, I am happy to help.
I hope this information helps you and wish you success in enforcing your compensation claims.
Best regards,
Ralf Schlittmaier
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