Passengers’ rights in the event of flight delays and cancellations: airline obligations and travel insurance compensation explained

First submission 09-09 22:08

Update time 09-10 06:49

A flight cancellation, or even a delay of several hours, may oblige the airline to provide a hotel room and corresponding meals. If the airline is responsible, it will also have to pay tens of thousands of dollars in cash compensation. (Illustration, AFP)

[Financial Channel/Comprehensive Report] When traveling abroad, sometimes flights are suspended (delayed), canceled, or even delayed for several hours due to "technical problems", which may result in the airline being obliged to provide hotel rooms and corresponding meals. If the airline is responsible, it will also have to pay tens of thousands of dollars in cash compensation. The additional travel insurance will also provide tens of thousands of yuan in compensation for flight delays and baggage reported lost or delayed collection after the passenger provides proof afterwards.

With thousands of travelers taking to the road, it’s important to understand your rights as an air passenger in the event of flight cancellations and delays. Airlines' terms and conditions are designed to require airlines to treat passengers properly, and they clearly stipulate the services and compensation passengers can receive if a flight is canceled or seriously delayed.

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You are generally not entitled to compensation for delays of less than two hours, except where a brief delay results in a missed connection and takes time to reach your final destination.

For longer delays, airlines should provide appropriate refreshments after the stipulated time. If the delay continues into the next day, the airline is obligated to arrange and pay for the hotel room. But in fact, airlines often use the excuse that it's "too troublesome" to let passengers book their own hotels, and then the passengers file a claim. While this attitude is not entirely compliant, aviation authorities often turn a blind eye. Regardless of the reason for delay or cancellation, the airline's duty of care applies.

In addition, you can also see if travel insurance companies can provide help. Buy insurance before departure. If your flight is delayed or your baggage is delivered incorrectly, resulting in delayed collection, you can usually get compensation of tens or thousands of dollars.

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