Traveling by plane is one of the most common options for going from one point to another while minimizing travel time. Many times, this goes smoothly without any potential issues. However, problems can occur, especially in such a large industry dominated by the whims of the weather.
Even so, like every other customer, air passengers have the right to top-quality services. After all, they pay for it. In this article, you can learn more about common challenges that can appear during a flight, along with how to obtain flight claim compensation for them.
Common In-Flight Issues and How to Obtain Flight Claim Compensation
The air travel industry is regulated through various bills to protect passengers from experiencing inconveniences. In the US, there is the S.3222, whereas in the EU, there is the EC261/2004. Each country may have its regulations, which become active when you land at the airport. Should the following issues occur, passengers are entitled to obtain compensation for their troubles:
1. Flight Delays
A flight delay can become a big headache, especially if you have a connection to catch or limited time to travel. Considering that the average delay is around 76 minutes and up to 9,000 flights suffer this fate daily, it is a common problem. While a brief 20-minute delay won’t entitle passengers to compensation, you have full rights if the flight is delayed for more than three hours.
The Solution: Airlines will not automatically compensate you whenever there is a flight delay. That would just be bad for business. In fact, up to 90% of air passengers are unaware they could ask for compensation. However, once you know your rights as passengers, you can take it up with the airline or get a flight compensation company to work matters for you. The latter is generally recommended, as they act like intermediaries on your behalf.
2. Flight Cancellation
Canceled flights can occur for various reasons and significantly affect your travel plans. This can be challenging for passengers with strict schedules. Federal law gives you the right to a full refund if your plane is canceled and you no longer wish to fly. That said, if the cancellation is too sudden and within the company’s control, you are entitled to compensation.
The Solution: Compensation may differ depending on the time between the departure and the moment you are informed of the cancellation. If you were notified 14 days before you leave, you could be rebooked for another flight or be given a full refund. That said, if the cancellation was within the airline’s control, you can get extra compensation alongside it. The best flight cancelation compensation company often knows how to dig for the truth so that you receive the indemnity they don’t want to give you.
3. Denied Boarding
Denied boarding can happen for numerous reasons, from lack of necessary paperwork to issues with the aircraft. However, boarding can also be refused due to airport-related problems, and we are talking about overbooking here. Airlines book more passengers in certain circumstances, thinking many will cancel or not make it on the aircraft. If their plan does not pan out, they face an overbooked flight, preventing ticket-holding passengers from boarding. As you have already paid for the service, you are entitled to compensation.
The Solution: Denied boarding is not something the airline can argue with, especially when they are staring at a valid ticket despite the full plane behind them. When this happens, they will either try to refund you or book you for the next flight. That said, passengers on international routes could also opt for additional flight claim compensation to cover their expenses. You can take this to the airline management or get a specialized company to help you.
4. Lost or Damaged Luggage
An average of 13% of bags were damaged in 2022 during airport mishandling, whereas around 7% were lost or stolen. This slightly improved in 2023, but it still happens. Even if only a few are lost permanently, damaged luggage or one that arrives too late can significantly affect your travel plans, especially if you are on holiday. It’s an inconvenience, which means you can get compensation for it.
The solution: Filing a claim can generally get you up to $3,500 in compensation, depending on the value of the contents, including depreciation. If the bag is not found within 5 days, you can get up to $1,500 per checked bag, depending on the airline you are flying with. Remember that the airline will only try to pay for the bag, but you can also get them to pay for the inconvenience it caused. If you had to purchase other items due to their loss, an airline claim service can also get them to pay for that.
5. In-Flight Service Issues
Lost bags and delays are not the only issues air travelers might encounter. Sometimes, challenges can occur after departure in the form of service. For instance, if you paid for food services, seating, or entertainment that proved to be inadequate, it can significantly affect your travel experience. Should this happen, you might be able to file a compensation claim.
The Solution: More often than not, compensation for poor-quality service depends on the severity of the inconvenience. By filing a complaint, some airlines might offer frequent flyer miles, refunds, or vouchers as a goodwill gesture. If they are not cooperating, you can take matters into your own hands and use the best flight cancellation compensation company to get justice.
The Major Challenge: Finding Out Your Right for Compensation
Airlines are responsible for getting you from point A to point B quickly and safely, without any issues. However, there may be times when delays or cancelations can occur for your own safety. For instance, if a flight is canceled or forced into U-turns due to bad weather, it is out of the airline’s hands. Staff strikes are also not in their power, as they cannot operate safely without every hand on deck.
If the problem was their fault, then you have 1-10 years to file a compensation claim, depending on the jurisdiction. If you suffered expenses due to their failure to provide, you have a legal right to get additional compensation aside from the refund they may offer.
The Bottom Line
Before boarding a plane, you must familiarize yourselves with your rights as passenger. This way, should a challenge arise, you will know how to resolve it. This can often be resolved directly with the airline, but compensation companies usually fight for a better deal.
