Flight ticket refund for delayed flight

How to request a refund for a delayed flight

To request a refund for your ticket, you can seek the assistance of Refly, the ideal partner to help you get the compensation you deserve.

You can also try to claim the refund on your own. In that case, remember to follow these steps:

1. 1. Contact the airline: Visit the airline's website or contact customer service.
2. 2. Provide flight details: Include information such as the flight number, departure date and time, and your booking.
3. 3. Indicate the reason: Specify that you are requesting a refund due to the delay.

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Required documentation to request a ticket refund

Make sure you have the following documents available:

1. 1. Airline ticket or booking confirmation.
2. 2. Documentation confirming the flight delay, such as emails or messages received from the airline.
3. 3. Any receipts for expenses incurred due to the delay (such as meals or accommodation).

What is the timeline to get the ticket refund?

The processing time for receiving a refund may vary. Generally, airlines take 7 to 14 business days to process the request. However, in some cases, it may take longer, so it’s recommended to follow up on the process and request updates.

To speed up your ticket refund request, let Refly guide you, the ideal partner to help you get your rights respected.

Exceptional circumstances that exclude compensation.

Exceptional circumstances that exclude ticket compensation are extraordinary situations that do not depend on the airline and make it impossible to meet schedules or manage the flight regularly.

In these cases, passengers cannot claim financial compensation.

Examples of exceptional circumstances that exclude compensation:
1. Adverse weather conditions:
   Storms, hurricanes, snow, ice, or dense fog making takeoff or landing dangerous.
2. Medical emergencies:
   Situations where a passenger or crew member requires urgent medical assistance.
3. Air traffic restrictions:
   Decisions by air traffic control for safety or airspace congestion reasons.
4. Security issues:
   Terrorism threats, bomb alerts, or sabotage acts.
5. Political instability:
   Situations of war, civil unrest, or political instability in departure, transit, or destination countries.
6. Strikes unrelated to the airline:
   Strikes by airport staff, air traffic control, or other essential services for airport operations.
7. Unexpected airport infrastructure failures:
   Radar failures, power outages, or damage to runways.
8. Collisions with birds or foreign objects:
   Situations where the plane suffers damage caused by impacts with birds or other objects during the flight.
9. Operational bans or airspace closures:
   Restrictions or closures decided by competent authorities for safety or emergencies.

Important note:

Even in the presence of exceptional circumstances, passengers are still entitled to receive free assistance from the airline, which includes:
• Meals and drinks.
• Hotel accommodation (if necessary).
• Transfers to/from the airport.
• Communications (calls or emails).
• These assistance rights are guaranteed regardless of the right to a refund or financial compensation.

Mandatory services provided during the delay

Regarding the passenger's choice to cancel the flight and request a full ticket refund, these are the conditions to exercise this right:

Conditions for canceling the flight with a full refund

• Delay duration:
  The flight must be delayed by over 5 hours compared to the scheduled departure time.
• Refund request:
  Passengers must contact the airline to request the refund. This can be done via the airline's website, customer service, or the airport assistance desk.
• Ticket type:
  The refund right applies to all ticket types, including those purchased at discounted or promotional fares.
• Full refund:
  The refund must cover the entire ticket cost, including taxes and fees.
• Alternative flight option:
  If the passenger decides not to travel, the airline must offer the possibility of a full refund or an alternative flight, at the passenger's discretion.
  If the airline proposes an alternative flight with a higher class fare than the original ticket, no additional payment will be required. Conversely, if the fare of the alternative flight is lower, you are entitled to a refund ranging from 30% to 70% of the original ticket price.
• Documentation:
  It is advisable to keep all flight-related documentation (tickets, receipts, communications with the airline) to facilitate the refund process.

How can I get my compensation?

Here's how to do it in 3 simple steps:

Flight delay compensation: Which delays make you eligible for compensation?

Only delays of more than 3 hours are eligible, with the arrival time being considered as the moment the aircraft doors are opened. However, it’s important to note that so-called “extraordinary circumstances” are not covered. These include situations such as medical emergencies, air traffic restrictions, severe weather conditions, unexpected airport radar failures, acts of sabotage, political instability, and terrorism.

“Technical problems” and “operational circumstances” are not considered “extraordinary circumstances,” as confirmed on several occasions by the European Court of Justice. Refly helps you check if your case qualifies for compensation.

For flights covering a distance of 1,500 km or less, the compensation is €250. For intra-EU flights longer than 1,500 km, compensation amounts to €400. For flights outside the EU between 1,500 and 3,500 km, the compensation is also €400. Lastly, for non-EU flights over 3,500 km, the compensation varies: €300 for delays between 3 and 4 hours, and €600 for delays longer than 4 hours.

The different compensation scenarios for flight delays are summarized in the table below:

Compensation is therefore obtainable if the delay exceeds 3 hours and is not due to extraordinary circumstances.
It’s important to be informed to request what you are entitled to! Many passengers are unaware of these rights and miss the opportunity to receive compensation. Visit our dedicated page on obtaining compensation for delayed flight.

Other offers the airline may provide you

In addition to the ticket refund, airlines may offer you various options in the event of a flight delay or cancellation.

• Partial refund: If you choose not to fly, you can request a partial refund for the unused flight.
• Free flight change: Some airlines offer the possibility to change the flight date or time at no extra cost.
• Vouchers or credits: Some airlines may offer vouchers for future flights or for onboard services such as meals or lounge access.
• Assistance and reimbursements for expenses: In the case of long delays, airlines may cover expenses for meals, transportation, or accommodation.
• Boarding priority: In some situations, priority boarding may be offered on subsequent flights.

Flight delay refund: your rights outside the EU

Passenger rights and flight delay compensation depend on your destination and the applicable regulations. The EU Regulation 261 applies within the European Union and its “outermost regions.”

In the case of air passenger rights, Regulation EC 261/2004 also applies to the outermost regions, guaranteeing passengers traveling to or from these areas the same compensation rights for delays, cancellations, or overbooking as if they were flights within the European Union.

Outside these areas – unless you are flying to the EU with an EU airline – different regulations apply.

Let’s check together whether you're entitled to compensation for a delayed flight, based on the relevant laws.

Flight Delay Refund: Your Rights in the USA

In the United States, the law does not guarantee the same protections offered by EU Regulation EC 261 in Europe. Compensation for flight delays depends on the airline's policy, except in cases of tarmac delays. In general, flight delay refunds in the USA are not always guaranteed.

Tarmac Delays

If your flight is stuck on the tarmac at a U.S. airport and you’re already boarded, the airline must provide food, water, access to the restroom, and medical care within the first two hours of the delay. Additionally, after 3 hours (or 4 hours for international flights), the plane must return to the gate to allow you to disembark, unless safety or air traffic control reasons prevent it.

Other forms of protection

For flights departing from the USA to international destinations, you may be able to recover extra expenses caused by the delay if your case falls under the Montreal Convention. Additionally, if your flight includes a stopover in the EU, it may be eligible for compensation under EU Regulation EC 261.

Delayed International Flights: Your Right to Compensation

Passenger rights for international flights are governed by the Montreal Convention, adopted in 2003 by over 130 countries, including the USA and the EU.

Does the Montreal Convention cover flight delays?

Yes, the Montreal Convention covers damages caused by service disruptions, but the term “damages” is interpreted differently depending on the country.

In the USA, damages refer strictly to financial losses, excluding any “emotional distress.”

In Europe, however, the term includes both financial losses and psychological trauma.

Refly: Complete assistance for air passengers

Refly is the ideal partner to help you get the compensation you deserve. Here’s how we can support you:

• Full claim management: Refly takes care of the entire process, from collecting the necessary documents to communicating with the airline.
• Legal expertise and experience: Thanks to our experience in the industry, Refly has in-depth knowledge of European and international regulations and knows how to handle any rejections or delays from airlines.
• Zero stress for the passenger: You won’t have to worry about filling out complex forms or following long procedures. Refly takes care of every detail.
• Payment only in case of success: Refly operates with a 'no cost, no risk' policy. You will only pay a fee if your compensation claim is successful.
• Faster compensation: Thanks to our network and industry knowledge, Refly speeds up the process of obtaining compensation compared to handling a claim on your own.
• Multilingual support: Refly offers assistance in multiple languages, making communication easier for international passengers.
• Transparency and constant updates: Throughout every stage of the process, Refly keeps you informed about the status of your claim, ensuring complete transparency. You can visit our page xxxx to stay updated on the progress of your case.

Why choose Refly to get your compensation?

Many passengers refrain from claiming compensation due to the fear of dealing with complicated procedures or not getting results.

With Refly, everything becomes simple and fast. You can start the process online in just a few minutes. You can quickly check if you're eligible for compensation by entering your flight details in this form.

Don't let a delayed flight ruin your travel experience: rely on Refly to get the compensation you deserve!