Delayed or cancelled? What you need to know about getting your flight money back

Your flight's cancelled: What are your rights to refunds and compensation?

When an airline suddenly cancels your flight, it causes major disruptions to travel plans. As a passenger, you need to know what you're entitled to in these situations. The good news is that if your flight was booked within the UK or EU, you have certain protections under the law. This guide will explain your refund and compensation rights if your flight departing or arriving in the UK/EU was cancelled by the carrier. 

The rules apply whether you were flying within or between the UK/EU, Iceland, Switzerland, Norway and Liechtenstein. So if your cancelled flight met these criteria, keep reading to learn how to request reimbursements for your cancelled flight booking and claim additional compensation for the troubles caused by the cancellation. 

Under EU flight compensation regulations, passengers are entitled to up to €600/£520 when a flight is delayed over 3 hours or cancelled entirely. These rules were established to protect travelers and give them recourse when disruptions ruin travel itineraries.

However, airlines tried to wiggle out of paying compensation by claiming technical loopholes. A landmark 2012 ECJ ruling clarified unambiguously that passengers deserved payments for substantial delays if criteria were met. Yet carriers still denied older claims beyond two years or blamed unpredictable maintenance issues. Further court decisions in 2014 and 2015 reinforced travelers' rights, shutting down airline tactics meant to dismiss rightful compensation requests.

Nowadays, savvy flyers know the precise conditions that make them eligible for reimbursements. But it took persistence from the courts to fully define and defend passenger protections under European law. Travelers should be aware of ongoing advocacy strengthening the rules designed to compensate for carrier-caused travel disruptions.

Are You Eligible for Compensation for a Delayed Flight?

You may qualify for compensation if your flight was delayed over three hours and the delay was caused by the airline. Specifically:

• The flight departed from or landed in the EU.
   
• The responsible airline is headquartered in the EU.
   
• You checked in on time (usually 45 mins before departure).
   
• The disrupted flight occurred within the last three years.
   
• The delay was due to circumstances within the airline's control (e.g. operations, maintenance).

What support can you expect during a long delay? Airlines should keep you informed via website, app or social media. You're entitled to food/drink vouchers for delays over 2 hours on short flights, 3 hours on medium flights, or 4 hours on long flights.

If the airline cannot provide vouchers, keep receipts to claim back costs of meals/drinks purchased yourself. For overnight delays, the airline must pay for your accommodation and transportation to/from the hotel. Again, retain receipts in case they fail to arrange accommodations. Check the airline's policies on lengths of delays that trigger compensation for meals/drinks or hotel stays. With the right documentation, you may be able to claim monetary compensation as well.

The Importance of Travel Insurance

Having strong travel insurance is crucial when flying, as it can help resolve issues if the airline fails to provide appropriate assistance or coverage. Make certain your policy will be valid if:

• Your flight is with an airline not governed by EU compensation laws.
   
• The responsible airline is unresponsive to demands for support or compensation owed.
   
• Unexpected travel disruptions occur beyond the airline's control or compensation obligations.

Also, travel insurance commonly offered "free" through banks or credit cards may expire without notice. Be sure to verify the ongoing coverage and renewal dates of any policy received as a membership benefit. Nothing ruins a trip like discovering your travel insurance lapsed. Getting robust, independent travel insurance is an important line of protection when flying. It brings peace of mind knowing you have additional recourse in the event of cancellations, delays, lost luggage or other travel mishaps outside an airline's control. Taking a few minutes to review your travel insurance needs upfront can save headaches later.