It’s more important than ever for travelers to know their rights when it comes to flight delays and cancellations. You may be curious to know what compensation you’re entitled to as an emirates passenger if your travel plans hit a bump in the road. As a leading global airline that serves nearly 56 million passengers annually, Emirates has an obligation to treat customers fairly when delays and cancellations happen. Take a look at what you should know about your rights as a traveler when flying with Emirates.
Who Do You Talk to When an Emirates Flight Is Cancelled or Delayed?
Emirates customer service is available if you have questions about compensation for delayed or cancelled flights. If you’re learning about a flight change while at the airport, it’s important to visit an Emirates desk to learn the reason. It will be necessary to file a certificate for a delayed or cancelled flight with the airline. However, there’s no guarantee that you’ll hear back from Emirates once that form is submitted.
According to Travel Refund, “Ensure you’re familiar with the different types of compensation you may be entitled to, including while you’re in the airport.” While it’s recommended that you take action to document your experiences and request a refund or vouchers at the point of cancellation or delay, you’re not out of luck if you don’t. You actually have years to file your claim after a flight disruption with Emirates. Contacting a refund professional may help you to get on the fast track to not being ignored or overlooked.
How Much Compensation Does Emirates Give for Cancelled or Delayed Flights?
Emirates flight compensation kicks in when flights are delayed by three hours or more. Travel Refund says, “If your flight leaves its origin point more than 3 hours late, but still arrives less than 3 hours after its scheduled time, you may not be able to claim Emirates delayed flight compensation.” Here’s a breakdown of compensation criteria from Emirates:
- Three hours or more/flight less than 1,500 kilometers: €250.
- Three hours or more/flight between 1,500 kilometers and 3,500 kilometers: €400.
- Three hours or more/flight more than 3,500 kilometers between an EU and non-EU airport: €300.
- Four hours or more/flight more than 3,500 kilometers between an EU and non-EU airport: €600.
Emirates uses a different scale for cancelled flights. In addition to compensation, you’ll be getting a refund of your original ticket price. Compensation works out to €250 for up to 1,500 kilometers, €400 for between 1,500 kilometers and 3,500 kilometers and €600 for more than 3,500 kilometers.
What Are the Reasons for Emirates Flight Compensation?
Emirates guidelines allow for compensation whenever an airline is cancelled due to a reason that’s deemed to be under the airline’s control. The specific Emirates flight compensation you are owed will then depend on the length of your flight. Causes covered under the airline’s compensation policy include mechanical issues, maintenance issues, lack of passengers, and lack of fit pilots. However, “extraordinary causes” like weather, airport closures, and unforeseen political restrictions are not covered under the compensation policy. You’re eligible for compensation under qualifying circumstances as long as Emirates cancels your flight with no less than 14 days’ notice.
Receiving Compensation for a Cancelled or Delayed Emirates Flight
The bottom line is that it’s important to know your rights as a passenger. Unfortunately, not everyone has the time or understanding of how passenger rights work to be able to stand up against a major airline whey they aren’t getting the compensation that’s owed promptly. Bringing in an advocate to seek what you’re owed on your behalf can often help to get the process completed.