What happens if your flight is delayed more than 5 hours?

Delayed Flights and Passenger Rights: Understanding Your Options for Delays Exceeding 5 Hours

When air travel experiences unexpected disruptions, passengers often face the inconvenience of flight delays. While frustrating, it’s important to understand your rights as a traveler, especially when delays extend beyond certain thresholds.

Delays and Compensation

Depending on the distance of the flight, delays exceeding specific time limits grant passengers assistance equivalent to a cancellation. For example:

• Short-haul flights (less than 1,500 kilometers): Delays exceeding 2 hours may entitle passengers to compensation.
• Medium-haul flights (1,500 to 3,500 kilometers): Delays exceeding 3 hours may lead to compensation.
• Long-haul flights (over 3,500 kilometers): Delays exceeding 4 hours may warrant compensation.

5-Hour Delay or More

In the event of a delay exceeding five hours, travelers have a crucial decision to make. They can either:

• Request a full refund: Passengers may request a full refund of their ticket if they no longer wish to proceed with their travel plans due to the significant delay.
• Accept alternative arrangements: Airlines are obligated to provide passengers with alternative travel arrangements, such as rebooking on the next available flight or offering transportation to a nearby destination.

Additional Assistance

Beyond the right to a refund or alternative arrangements, passengers experiencing delays exceeding 5 hours are entitled to additional assistance, including:

• Food and refreshments: Airlines must provide food and beverages for passengers during the delay.
• Hotel accommodations: If the delay extends overnight, the airline may arrange for hotel accommodations for affected passengers.
• Communication: Airlines must keep passengers informed about the status of the delay and provide regular updates.

Seeking Compensation

If you experience a flight delay exceeding 5 hours, it is recommended to contact the airline directly to request a full refund or discuss alternative arrangements. You may also file a complaint with the relevant regulatory authority if the airline fails to provide adequate assistance.

Understanding your rights as a traveler in the face of flight delays is essential. By being aware of the compensation and assistance you are entitled to, you can make informed decisions and navigate these situations with confidence.