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Compensation for cancelled flight and missed connection

Posted by on

Hi All,

My family just returned to the states from a fabulous three week vacation in Europe. Despite the fact that we had a great time, we also had some difficulties, and I am hoping to benefit from your experiences if you have been through similar situations. Here's what happened in two separate events.

First, our flight from Copenhagen to Paris was cancelled because of a French transportation strike. We have been refunded $268 by the airline, which was the cost for the two-hour flight for our family of four. But I have since spent approximately $1600 to get us to Paris via a 14-hour train ride. (Yes, that is quite high, and it is my fault for double-booking in haste by mistake.)

Second, we missed our connection coming home because our flight out of Madrid was late, which resulted in a 28-hour travel day instead of a 16-hour travel day. Plus, we have no idea where our luggage is.

I have since learned from others on this board that we may be entitled to compensation for our troubles. I was told that there are EU rules that require the airlines to take responsibility not just to refund your money for a cancelled flight, for example, but to actually pay for your alternative transportation. So, for example, it has put me under the impression that I could actually get at least some of the money that I had to pay for the train ride from Copenhagen to Paris. And that I could get compensated for the meal we bought because of the missed connection and the 8 hours in additional wait time that we had in the airport.

I've done some additional reading on this, and indeed, it does seem true that we may be due some compensation. But, of course the devil is in the details. For example, one person said that you have to appeal direct to the airline, which I did, but I just got a response from them to say I need to apply to the transportation agency in the country where the cancellation happened, which in this case would be Denmark, but that doesn't seem to make sense given that the cancellation was due to a French strike.

Has anyone out there navigated similar waters already? If so, is there anything about your experience that you can share that would help to provide me with advice/direction for my situation? Thank you in advance to any and all responders.

Sincerely,

Michael

Posted by
4535 posts

Per my understanding of the EU rules, you have already been compensated for your canceled flight to Paris: they refunded your ticket cost. But of course you still had to get to Paris and chose to take the train, but since the airline refunded your ticket, they don't have to pay for your alternate transportation.

The missed flight out of Madrid might be eligible as long as the earlier flight delay was not weather related and was delayed more than 3 hours. Of course, many people book their connection with under 3 hours so you might not fit that requirement.

The missing luggage should be eligible, if and when it shows up. You have to file your claim within 21 days.

Sorry all that happened. Such problems do occur but can make your fun trip stressful (and more expensive).

Posted by
6113 posts

EU rules.

If a flight is delayed due to industrial action (it's always the French that strike), then the airline has to repay you the cost of the flight, which it did. As this happens so regularly, the rules say that they don't have to compensate you further, as this would bankrupt most airlines! So no compensation is due for Copenhagen to Paris.

The second delay depends on a number of issues. Why was the flight delayed? Which airline? The rules are different depending on the length of the flight.

If delayed more than 3 hours on your first flight, you should have been offered food and drink, unless it was delayed due to industrial action again. If a longer delay, they would have to offer you overnight accommodation, but it doesn't sound as though this was such a long delay. Depending on the reason for this flight delay and how long the delay was, you maybe entitled to some compensation. You won't get compensation if it was due to industrial action or delays beyond the airlines control. Apply to the airline direct.

Posted by
2676 posts

I think you have been compensated as far as any rules allow any additional cost should be met with your travel insurance................ you do have travel insurance?

Posted by
5425 posts

Strikes are classified as an extraordinary circumstance.under EU261 and there is therefore no compensation arrangement. You are still though entitled to duty of care (meals, overnight accommodation etc), plus re-routing at the earliest opportunity, or for a refund. You opted for the refund. The cost of the replacement travel is therefore yours.

Regarding your trip home from Madrid you haven't given sufficient information about it. What were the circumstances, what was the connection between, was it a single ticket or a back-to-back arrangement etc.

Posted by
2916 posts

I can't speak about the flights, but I have recent personal experience about luggage. My one bag on an Icelandair flight from the US to Paris was left in Iceland overnight, and because of certain complications (including a weekend), I didn't get it for 5 days. When I returned home I contacted Icelandair, not to ask for compensation (since I wasn't sure I was entitled to anything), but just to complain about their procedures. They got back to me saying that because I was entitled to $100 because I was w/o my luggage for more than 24 hours. So you may be entitled to something for that, depending on if and when you get your luggage.

Posted by
3398 posts

...and always purchase travel insurance. These things happen and, when they do, it's nice to know you're covered. Of course, always read the fine print to make sure that what you want covered, is.

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