Delta Air Lines flights grounded: How to get a refund for delayed or cancelled UK flights
Thousands of holidaymakers were left in the lurch at airports today, here's what to do if it happens to you
PLANE passengers were left stranded today, after Delta Air Lines systems crashed meaning none of its planes could take off worldwide.
Obviously getting stuck in an airport when you should be sunning yourself on the beach is no-one's idea of a good time, but there are steps you can take to claw back some money.
In basic terms, EU law says you should get between £110 and £510 compensation if you flight is delayed by over three hours or cancelled.
This is only for EU-regulated flights though, which means the plane has to have taken off from an EU airport OR be run by an EU company landing at an EU airport.
It's confusing, but it means if you were flying from London to New York you'd be fine. But if you were going from New York to London, you'd only qualify if the airline was an EU one.
It's worth noting you can claim for flights all the way back to 2010 too. Use to check if you're not sure about old journeys.
If your flight's delayed by over two hours
Legally you have the right to:
- access to emails
- use a phone
- food and drink
- somewhere to stay if the delay is overnight
- transport between the airport and the hotel
You should be given vouchers by your airline for all these things.
If you aren't, keep receipts and claim them back as expenses.
Just remember you need to be reasonable - you'll get meals paid for, but that doesn't could champagne brunches or lobster.
If your flight's delayed by over three hours
You get all of the above, plus compensation as long as the delay is because of the airline.
That means if there's a technical fault you'll be due some money back, but if the delay is because of something like bad weather you're not due anything.
What you'll get back all comes down to how long your flight was and the amount of time you were left waiting.
There are also different rules depending on the countries you were travelling between.
Compensation guide
Delayed three hours or more
- all flights under 1,500km, £210
- all flights between 1,500km and 3,500km, £340
- flights in the EU over 1,500km, £340
Delayed three to four hours
- flights between an EU and non-EU airport, £250
Delayed over four hours
- flights between and EU and non-EU airport, £510
If your flight's delayed over five hours
You don't need to get the plane if you're delayed for this amount of time.
It also doesn't matter what the problem was caused by.
If you decide to take the trip anyway:
- You can ask for compensation of up to 600 euros - but again, only if it was the airline's responsibility
- If a strike, bad weather or something similar caused the problem you won't get money back
If you don't take the flight:
- The airline has to give you a total refund
- You are also entitled to a refund on any other flights you won't take because of this problem (like connections)
- If the problem is a connecting flight, you should be given a trip back to the airport where your journey started
- You should be given refreshments
- You should be able to use a phone and emails
- If the delay is overnight, you'll get accommodation
If your flight is cancelled
There are two options if your flight gets canned - either a full refund for it and any others you miss because of that, or a replacement.
It's best to get this sorted before you leave the airport if you can.
On top of that, you'll get compensation if you're delayed over two hours and help with costs.
If you opt for a replacement flight, you should get:
- access to emails
- use a phone
- food and drink
- somewhere to stay if the delay is overnight
- transport between the airport and the hotel
Compensation
You can ask for money if the issue were due to the airline and:
- You are two or more hours late to where you were going due to the replacement flight; OR
- Your flight was cancelled at least seven days before departure
The amount you'll get depends on the circumstances.
If your flight was cancelled less than seven days before it was due
If it was less than 1,500km
- departed an hour or more earlier than the original, arrived two hours later than original, £110
- arrived two or more hours later than original, £210
If it was between 1,500 and 3,500km
- departed an hour or more earlier than the original, arrived three hours later than original, £170
- arrived three or more hours than original, £340
If it was over 3,500km
- departed an hour or more earlier than the original, arrived four hours later than original, £250
- arrived four or more hours than original, £510
If your flight was cancelled between seven and 14 days before it was due
If it was less than 1,500km
- departed two or more hours earlier than the original and arrived up to two hours later than planned, £110
- departed two or more hours earlier than the original and arrived two or more hours later, £210
- arrived four hours later than booked, £210
If it was between 1,500 and 3,500km
- departed two or more hours earlier than the original and arrived up to three hours later than planned, £170
- departed two or more hours earlier than the original and arrived three to four hours later, £340
- arrived four hours later than booked, £340
If it was over 3,500km
- departed two or more hours earlier than the original and arrived up to four hours later than planned, £250
- arrived four or more hours later than original, £510
In the first instance complain to your airline and ask for compensation.
If that doesn't get you what you want, get in touch with the .