Are you experiencing a last-minute flight cancellation with SmartLynx?
If your flight gets cancelled unexpectedly, it can disrupt your travel plans, especially if you have other flights or bookings. However SmartLynx’s flight cancellation policy, and EU Regulations which have been in effect for more than a decade, provide protection for passengers in these situations. Thus, if your SmartLynx flight is canceled, the airline must give you a full refund or a new flight. In some cases, you are entitled to a flight cancellation compensation as well.
1. SmartLynx Flight Cancellation: Last-Minute Flight Cancellation
Are you experiencing a last-minute flight cancellation?
Should SmartLynx cancel your flight, they are obliged to look after you.
- In the event of a lengthy airport wait due to flight cancellation, you are entitled to care from SmartLynx. For instance, a 3-hour wait warrants a voucher for a complimentary meal, and an overnight delay includes free hotel accommodation and transportation.
- If you opt to reject the alternate flight provided to you, you are eligible for a complete refund from SmartLynx. This refund can be either deposited into your bank account or issued as a SmartLynx voucher.
- Provided the cancellation was last-minute (i.e., the flight was cancelled up to 2 weeks before the original departure date), and the cancellation was due to SmartLynx’s mistake, you may request flight cancellation compensation from SmartLynx.
These compensation criteria apply to all SmartLynx flights to and from Europe.
By Europe and EU here on this page (and on this website in general) we mean all EU Member States, the United Kingdom (UK), Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion, Mayotte, Saint Martin (French Antilles), the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.
2. What to Do if Your Flight Is Cancelled Last-Minute?
When your SmartLynx flight gets cancelled last minute, the steps to take may vary depending on where you are when you receive the news. If you haven’t left for the airport yet, the actions you need to take are different compared to when you are already at the airport.
2.1 If You Are Still at Home or Hotel
In the event that you are yet to leave your home or hotel and you find out your flight has been cancelled, it’s advisable to continue to stay put. Reach out to SmartLynx’s customer service to comprehend the subsequent measures.
As mentioned before, SmartLynx will provide assistance. They can provide information about your options – it’s possible that your departure could be rescheduled for the same day or the next, depending on flight availability. Remember, you also have the right to request a different airline for your flight. If you don’t wish to fly anymore, you can request a full refund.
If the cancellation was due to the airline’s fault, you may be entitled to flight cancellation compensation.
2.2 If You Are Already at the Airport
If your flight is cancelled while you’re at the airport, don’t go through airport security.
You’ll be given a new flight, so you’ll need to check in again for a new boarding pass. If you have checked baggage, you’ll have to recheck it. If you’ve already passed security, try to make your way back to the public access area of the airport.
To ensure prompt assistance, it is important to contact SmartLynx’s representatives at the airport. They will provide information about the next steps and offer alternative flight options or a full refund, along with necessary support.
3. SmartLynx Flight Cancellation Compensation
The EU has laid out specific guidelines regarding flight compensation.
If your flight gets cancelled less than 2 weeks prior to the planned departure date, it falls into the last-minute flight cancellation category, and you may be eligible for compensation.
Your flight is cancelled 7 – 14 days before the scheduled time of departure:
- You opt for a new flight arranged by SmartLynx, which takes off not more than 2 hours earlier than the initially scheduled time and gets you to your destination less than 4 hours after the initial arrival time. Under these circumstances, you are not due for compensation.
- In other cases, you are entitled to compensation.
Your flight is cancelled less than 7 days before the scheduled time of departure:
- You opt for a new flight arranged by SmartLynx, which takes off not more than 1 hour earlier than the initially scheduled time and gets you to your destination less than 2 hours after the initial arrival time. Under these circumstances, you are not due for compensation.
- In other cases, you are entitled to compensation.
Conditions for filing for compensation:
- Flight cancelled due to SmartLynx’s fault;
- Flight is to/from/within Europe;
- Flight cancelled at last minute (less than 14 days before departure).
Read more: SmartLynx Flight Cancellation Compensation
4. SmartLynx Flight Cancellation Refund
If a SmartLynx flight gets cancelled, you have the option to choose either an alternative flight to your destination or a full refund. If you decide on a refund, it can be credited to your bank account or provided as a SmartLynx voucher.
Your preference will depend on your individual needs and future travel plans.
Expect your SmartLynx refund within a 7-day window.
It’s important to note that the rights to compensation and refund are separate according to EU flight compensation regulations. Even if you choose a refund, you may still be eligible for compensation, as long as the flight cancellation circumstances match the criteria mentioned above.
Read more: Your SmartLynx Refund Is Taking Forever. What To Do?
4.1 What If You Cancel a Flight?
Should you, the passenger, decide to cancel your flight, the refund terms are different.
The refund policy of SmartLynx is centred around the type of ticket you bought.
Fully flexible tickets typically qualify for a refund, while low-cost, non-flexible tickets may not. It’s advisable to carefully review the terms of your ticket or contact SmartLynx’s customer service for more information. If you have travel insurance that covers cancellations, you might be eligible to claim a refund from your insurance provider.
5. How to Claim SmartLynx Flight Cancellation Compensation or Cancellation Refund?
If your intention is to get a refund for your cancelled flight, contact SmartLynx or the travel agency that sold you the flight.
What about flight cancellation compensation?
If your flight gets cancelled, you might qualify for compensation from SmartLynx. The important thing is to file a claim. If you don’t, you won’t receive any compensation. Contact SmartLynx customer service to submit your claim.
Remember, you have the right to claim compensation and are not obligated to accept travel vouchers. According to EC Regulation 261, compensation for flight disruptions within the EU must be directly deposited into your bank account. The amount of compensation you may be entitled to is fixed and ranges from 250 to 600 euros.
The other simple alternative is to engage legal representation.
Upon choosing this route, all matters will be taken care of by a flight compensation company. They will place a compensation claim on your behalf and see the procedure through to its conclusion.
Our partners offer such services.
When choosing this option, here is all you will have to do:
And that’s it — the rest is handled by professionals.
* Your boarding pass and passport or ID copy.
Read more: How to Claim SmartLynx Compensation?
Last-minute flight cancellation – have you ever experienced that? How did the airline solve that? Do you still have questions about SmartLynx compensation policies? Ask in the comments.