What should I do if my booked flight is significantly delayed?
September 25, 2023 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Ralf Schlittmaier
Dear travel lawyer,
My name is Andreas Kessler and I recently booked a flight that was heavily delayed. The situation was very frustrating for me as I missed important appointments and incurred additional costs as a result. I am now wondering how best to proceed in order to receive appropriate compensation.
The flight was scheduled from Frankfurt to Barcelona and was supposed to depart at 3:00 pm. However, there were technical issues with the aircraft which caused a delay of several hours. Ultimately, we only took off at 9:00 pm, leading to a significant delay. As a result, I missed my business appointments in Barcelona and had to book an additional overnight stay and a new flight at short notice.
My concerns now are that as a passenger, I not only lost time and money, but my plans were also disrupted. I am wondering if I am entitled to compensation and how I can claim it. Additionally, I am unsure whether I should contact the airline directly or if I should engage a travel lawyer.
Could you please explain to me what steps I need to take to receive compensation for the flight delay? Are there specific legal regulations that could help me in this case? I would greatly appreciate your assistance and guidance on this matter.
Sincerely,
Andreas Kessler
Dear Mr. Kessler,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the flight delay you recently experienced. I am sorry to hear that you missed important appointments due to this situation and incurred additional costs. As a travel law attorney, I can assist you in this matter and explain the steps you can take to receive appropriate compensation.
In your case, where the flight from Frankfurt to Barcelona was significantly delayed due to technical issues, you are entitled to compensation under the EU Air Passenger Rights Regulation. This regulation governs the rights of passengers in cases of flight delays, cancellations, and overbookings. According to this regulation, you may be eligible for compensation of up to 600 euros per person, depending on the distance of the flight, under certain conditions.
To claim compensation, you should first contact the airline directly and assert your claim. You can do this either in writing or via email, providing all relevant information such as flight number, date, departure and arrival times, and your additional costs. It is important to provide all receipts and evidence of incurred costs to support your claim.
If the airline rejects your claim or does not respond appropriately, I recommend seeking the assistance of a travel law attorney. An experienced attorney can assess your claims, legally represent you, and, if necessary, file a lawsuit against the airline. In many cases, involving an attorney can help you obtain fair compensation.
In summary, you should first contact the airline and assert your claim for compensation. If needed, you can also seek the support of an attorney to enforce your rights as a passenger. The EU Air Passenger Rights Regulation provides a clear legal framework for obtaining appropriate compensation for flight delays.
I hope this information is helpful to you and I am available to answer any further questions or provide legal assistance.
Sincerely,
Ralf Schlittmaier
Travel Law Attorney
