Claim flight compensation for delayed or cancelled business trips

Understanding your rights for business trip flight compensation

The European Union regulations, EU261, state that passengers can receive compensation for flight delays, cancellations, overbooking, or denied boarding. This compensation can range from £220 to €600 per passenger.

Delayed flight compensation during business trips

A delayed flight can be frustrating, especially if it disrupts your business trip. But did you know that you may be eligible for flight compensation?

To determine if you are eligible for compensation for a delayed flight, you must meet both of the following criteria:

• Your flight was delayed for at least 3 hours, AND,

• The airline is responsible for the delay

Airlines are not responsible for the delay when “extraordinary circumstances” occur. Read more about this in the extraordinary circumstances section later.

Cancelled flight compensation during business trips

A flight cancelled can cause significant inconvenience and can put your business trip in jeopardy. However, you may be entitled to flight compensation in this scenario.

To determine if you are eligible for compensation for a cancelled flight, you must meet both of the following criteria:

• Your flight was cancelled within 14 days of the scheduled departure date, AND,

• The airline is responsible for the cancellation

Airlines are not responsible for the cancellation when “extraordinary circumstances” occur. Read more about this in the extraordinary circumstances section later.

Denied boarding during business trips

Being denied boarding (e.g. due to overbooking) can be a frustrating and stressful experience, especially if it happens during a business trip. In this scenario, you may be eligible for flight compensation. If you are not responsible for the denied boarding, you are eligible for compensation.

To determine whether the denied boarding falls under your responsibility as a passenger, you have to:

• Checking in on time

• Holding all the required travel documents (passport, visa, ID card, boarding pass, etc.)

• Being present at the boarding gate at the time indicated on the boarding pass or the booking confirmation

• Not giving rude behaviour or being a threat to the safety of the flight operation, its crew, oneself or other passengers

Missed connecting flight during business trips

A missed connecting flight can be a significant inconvenience, especially if you are on a business trip. However, you may be entitled to flight compensation in this scenario.

To determine if you are eligible for compensation for a missed connecting flight, your condition must meet the following criteria:

• It is due to a delayed flight, cancelled flight, or denied boarding due to an overbooked flight

• Both of your flights are under the same booking

• The airline is responsible for trip delays or cancellations

Flight compensation for business trips outside of Europe

If you experienced a delayed, cancelled, or overbooked flight that meets the eligibility criteria stated above, you may be entitled to flight compensation, even if your business trip was outside of Europe.

Your rights are protected under the EU regulations as long as your flight meets one of the following criteria:

• Your flight departs from an EU airport, OR,

• Your flight departs from an airport outside of the EU to an EU airport with an EU airline.

Business trip flight compensation amount

The flight compensation amount you can receive depends on the length of the flight, the delay, and other factors. Our legal team can help you determine the exact amount of compensation you can claim for your business trip.

• For flights shorter than 1,500 km, the compensation is £220.

• For flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km, the compensation is £350.

• For flights of over 1,500 kilometres within the EU, the compensation is also £350.

• For flights of over 3,500 kilometres outside of the EU, the compensation is €600 —but if your flight was delayed by fewer than 4 hours, the total amount might be reduced by 50%.

Claim flight compensation for your business trip delayed or cancelled flight

At Flight.Delayed.co.uk, we are dedicated to helping air passengers claim the flight compensation they deserve for their business trips. Our professional legal team has over ten years of experience in navigating the laws and regulations surrounding flight compensation and will fight for your rights.

Frequently asked questions about business trip flight compensation

Do you have questions about flight compensation claims for business trips? We have answers to some of the most frequently asked questions:

Is the airline accountable for my delayed or cancelled flight? – Extraordinary Circumstances

In order for passengers to be eligible for flight compensation, the airline must be responsible for the delay, cancellation, or denied boarding. Otherwise, the airline can deny compensation since they cannot be held accountable and do not owe anything to passengers. These types of situations are referred to as Extraordinary Circumstances.

Some common examples of extraordinary circumstances include:

• Bad weather conditions, such as thick fog, heavy rain, or thunderstorms.

• A strike, most often specifically within the aviation industry (for example, a strike of air traffic control workers at a specific airport).

  However, a strike of the airline's crew is not considered an extraordinary circumstance!

• Political circumstances, such as a terrorist attack or general security risk due to political unrest.

• Natural disasters, including volcanic eruptions and hurricanes.

• A collision between the aircraft and birds or other foreign objects.

• An ill or unruly passenger.

• Flight delays caused by the airport staff, such as extraordinarily long queues to security checks.

Do I get the money even if my company pays for my business trip flight ticket?

Many business travellers wonder if they can still claim flight compensation if their company pays for their business trip flight ticket. According to EU 261, only the air passenger themselves can apply and claim compensation for a delayed or cancelled flight. Therefore, the compensation is not paid to your company, but to the passenger(s) who experienced the delayed or cancelled flight. This means that even if your company pays for your flight, you still have the right to claim compensation for the inconvenience you experienced.

How do I know if I'm eligible for business trip flight compensation?

To determine if you're eligible for flight compensation, you'll need to consider the laws and regulations surrounding flight compensation, the length of your flight, and the reasons for the delay or cancellation. Our legal team can help you determine if you're eligible and the amount of compensation you can receive.

Do I need a lawyer to claim business trip flight compensation?

No, you don't need a lawyer to claim flight compensation. However, having a professional legal team on your side can make the process easier, faster, and more successful. Our team will handle all the legal details, gather all the necessary evidence, and communicate with the airline on your behalf.

How long does It take to claim business trip flight compensation?

The time it takes to claim flight compensation varies, but with the help of our legal team, it can be faster and more efficient. Our team will handle all the legal details and ensure that your claim is processed in a timely manner.

Useful links

• More details on delayed flight compensation
• More details on cancelled flight compensation
• Post-Brexit flight compensation rules in the UK
• Rules regarding missed flight compensation
• Rules regarding flight compensation in the case of denied boarding
• Claim Calculator — check if you are eligible for compensation