What happens if your flight is delayed over 2 hours?

Stuck on the Ground: What Happens When Your Flight is Delayed Over 2 Hours?

Few things are more frustrating for travelers than a delayed flight. But what many people don’t realize is that significant delays actually trigger specific passenger rights, often mirroring those available in case of outright cancellations.

Know Your Thresholds: The magic number for short-haul flights (under 1,500km) is two hours. Delays exceeding this timeframe activate certain rights. This threshold increases to three hours for medium-haul flights (1,500-3,500km) and four hours for long-haul journeys (over 3,500km).

Assistance, Regardless of Distance:

Once these delay durations are met, airlines are obligated to provide passengers with:

• Refreshments: Expect complimentary food and drinks, proportionate to the delay’s length.
• Communication: Airlines must facilitate two free phone calls, emails, or faxes.
• Accommodation: If the delay necessitates an overnight stay, the airline must provide a hotel room and transportation to and from the airport.

The Five-Hour Mark: Refund or Re-route?

Delays exceeding five hours introduce a crucial choice for passengers:

• Full Refund: You have the right to abandon your journey and receive a full refund for your ticket.
• Re-routing: Alternatively, the airline must offer to re-route you to your final destination at the earliest opportunity, or at a later date convenient for you.

Important Notes:

• “Extraordinary Circumstances”: Airlines may be exempt from these obligations in cases of “extraordinary circumstances” beyond their control (e.g., severe weather, political instability). However, the burden of proof lies with the airline.
• Documentation is Key: Keep all your travel documents, including boarding passes and delay notifications. Maintain receipts for any expenses incurred due to the delay.

Don’t Be Afraid to Assert Your Rights!

Delayed flights are an unfortunate reality of air travel. However, by understanding your rights and the thresholds that trigger them, you can navigate these disruptions with less stress and potentially mitigate some of the inconvenience. Don’t hesitate to politely but firmly remind airline staff of your entitlements should the need arise.