SmartLynx Flight Cancellation Compensation

SmartLynx flight cancellation refund / cancellation compensation.

Is there a difference? In which situations can you get a refund? In which situations you are entitled to compensation from the airline? How much is the compensation? These are the questions we are going to discuss in this article. There are a number of reasons why flights get cancelled. All you need to know is, if your flight is cancelled due to the airline’s fault, you may be entitled to both – a full refund from SmartLynx and cancellation compensation up to €600.

In case of SmartLynx, it applies to most flights to and from Europe.

There are two ways you can claim flight cancellation compensation.

1. SmartLynx Flight Cancellation Compensation: EU Regulations

What happens if your SmartLynx flight is cancelled?

Will SmartLynx book you on a new flight free of charge? Can you get a refund instead? In which situations are you entitled to SmartLynx flight cancellation compensation? 

According to EU law, flight cancellation procedures are very specific.

If you are notified of the cancellation 7 – 14 days before the scheduled time of departure:

• You choose a new flight offered by your airline, which departs not more than 2 hours before the original departure time and you reach your destination less than 4 hours after the original arrival time. In this situation you are not entitled to compensation.
• In other situations you are entitled to compensation.

If you are notified of the cancellation less than 7 days before the scheduled time of departure:

• You choose a new flight offered by your airline, which departs not more than 1 hour before the original departure time and you reach your destination less than 2 hours after the original arrival time. In this situation you are not entitled to compensation.
• In other situations you are entitled to compensation.

Could you be entitled to SmartLynx flight cancellation compensation? 

Yes, if the following conditions are met:

• Cancellation must be SmartLynx’s fault;
• It must be a last-minute flight cancellation (not more than to 2 weeks before departure);
• Flight must be to/from Europe (EU, EEA, UK).

SmartLynx is a charter airline. According to the European Flight Compensation Regulation, EC Regulation 261/2004, you are protected not only on scheduled flights, but also on charter flights. Even though SmartLynx is a charter airline, you still are protected under the European law.

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.

1.1 Extraordinary Circumstances

Sometimes reasons for flight cancellations are out of the airline’s control.

Situations like these are known as extraordinary circumstances. In such cases, you aren’t entitled to flight cancellation compensation no matter how last-minute is the cancellation.

If your SmartLynx flight is cancelled due to bad weather, natural disaster, terrorism threat, security issues at the airport, civil or political unrest, or other similar issues, you can’t get flight cancellation compensation from SmartLynx. These events are out of the airline’s control, and it is not responsible for flights cancelled due to extraordinary circumstances. You can’t get flight cancellation compensation from SmartLynx in such cases.

What about strikes? Airport staff strikes? If you experience flight cancellation due to a strike, find out what kind of strike is it. If it’s a SmartLynx staff strike, then it’s considered airline’s fault. If it’s airport staff strike — it isn’t airline’s fault (it’s considered extraordinary circumstances that airline has no control of).

And, yes, make sure to double-check what you’re told.

Because not always tell you the truth.

To avoid paying compensation, airlines often refuse compensation claims by saying the wrong reasons for delay (e.g., extraordinary circumstances instead of technical problems). Often airlines say that technical problems are extraordinary circumstances, which is not true. Airlines often take advantage of customers’ lack of knowledge and use it for their benefit.

If you are claiming compensation on your own, be prepared for that, and always ask for proof. Alternatively, work with a flight compensation company. Our partners offer such services. 

Just fill in the claim form on our website, and our partners will check your flight.

1.2 Right to Care

Your SmartLynx flight is cancelled last-minute.

Now you have to wait at the airport for a new flight.

In this case you have a right to receive care from the airline.

Thanks to the EU Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, all passengers in the EU have a right to care. If you have a last-minute cancellation, and you have to wait at the airport for 3+ hours until your new flight departs, you can receive certain services for free. What does it mean for you?

SmartLynx must offer you free meals and drinks in a reasonable relation to the waiting time, two free phone calls, e-mails or faxes. If your new flight is leaving only on the next day, a free hotel stay (including free transfer) must be offered.

It doesn’t affect your chances of getting compensation.

1.3 SmartLynx Flight Cancellation Refund, SmartLynx Refund Policy

And again, the rules are very specific.

If SmartLynx has to cancel your flight, you can ask for a new flight or your money back in full. The new plane ticket has to be given away for free. It has to be paid in full if you choose the cancellation refund. These are the EU’s rules. SmartLynx’s internal rules (like its return policy) don’t change these laws.

These rules aren’t affected by SmartLynx internal policies (SmartLynx refund policy).

If you choose a refund, keep in mind that it has to be paid within 7 days. 

You don’t have to agree to a SmartLynx voucher refund.

Here’s an excerpt from the Regulation (EC) No 261/2004:

Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, Article 5

Cancellation

In case of cancellation of a flight, the passengers concerned shall: (a) be offered assistance by the operating air carrier in accordance with Article 8.

Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, Article 8

Right to reimbursement or re-routing

Where reference is made to this Article, passengers shall be offered the choice between: (a) – reimbursement within seven days (b) re-routing, under comparable transport conditions, to their final destination at the earliest opportunity.

It doesn’t cover cases when you yourself cancel a SmartLynx flight.

2. How to Claim SmartLynx Compensation?

There are two ways how you can claim SmartLynx flight cancellation compensation.

One of them is more time consuming, the other – easier.

One of the options is to contact SmartLynx directly. Write an e-mail to SmartLynx customer support center and request compensation for flight cancellation. You can find all e-mail addresses on SmartLynx’s website. Alternatively, use the SmartLynx complaint/contact form on their website. When submitting a SmartLynx flight compensation claim refer to the EU Regulation (EC) No 261/2004. Keep in mind that it might take a while until you get your compensation. 

You can also take the easiest path — legal representation.

In this case everything is handled by a flight compensation company. Register your SmartLynx compensation claim by filling in and signing one form (EU flight cancellation compensation claim form). The rest will be done by the legal office. Our partners offer such services.

Read more: 

• How to Claim SmartLynx Compensation?
• Your SmartLynx Refund Is Taking Forever. What To Do?
• SmartLynx Missed Connection Compensation

2.1 How Long Does It Take?

If everything goes smoothly, 2 to 3 months.

Unfortunately, in many situations it might be necessary to take your case to a national enforcement body or even court. Because often airlines refuse to cooperate or wrongly refuse claims. These additional steps might add at least a couple of months, sometimes even 6 months to the whole process.

3. How Much Can You Claim?

The compensation amount in the EU is up to €600 per person.

Here is how you can calculate your SmartLynx compensation:

When your destination is within the EU/UK:

When your destination is outside the EU/UK:

There’s one exception. When the flight distance is 3500+ kilometres and you reach your destination 3 to 4 hours later than planned, you are entitled only to 50% of the compensation amount (that means €300, not €600).

3.1 SmartLynx Voucher Refund or Cash?

What if you are offered a SmartLynx voucher instead of compensation?

You don’t have to accept any vouchers from SmartLynx. 

Airline compensation and refunds have to be paid in cash or by bank transfer. It applies to all EU flights and airlines. Including charter airlines and charter flights. 

4. What Happens If a Flight Is Cancelled?

What to do if your SmartLynx flight is cancelled?

First of all, wait for the email from SmartLynx. 

Probably the email will have all the information you need. Such as, when is the next available flight, how to book this flight, how to get a refund from the airline if you don’t wish to travel anymore. 

What if it’s a very last-minute cancellation, and you are already at the airport when your flight is cancelled? Wait for the announcement from the airline. Do not proceed through airport security. Your flight is cancelled, and there will be a new flight. You will need to check in for that flight. That’s why stay at the landside area of the airport (where the check-in desks are located). When your new flight is announced, you can check in for that flight easily.

If your new flight departs only on the next day, the airline has to provide you with a free hotel stay.  

In most cases, you’ll be given a choice between a new flight and a full refund. If you choose the refund, keep in mind that usually the refunds are made within 7 days.

If your SmartLynx flight is cancelled last-minute due to their fault, SmartLynx is obliged to pay flight cancellation compensation. 

If the airline cancels the flight less than two weeks before it’s supposed to leave and it’s their fault, they have to pay money in addition to giving the money back or booking a new trip.

Do you have to get to another flight on time? Do not worry if it is a SmartLynx connection trip. SmartLynx will book you on another flight for free if you miss your connection because your first flight was late or cancelled. But if it’s a self-transfer (flights planned separately), you have to pay for it.

SmartLynx Flight Cancellation Compensation and Refund: FAQ

SmartLynx Refund

EU – Non-EU Flights, Regulation UK261, Tourists

Other Situations

What is your experience? Have you ever received SmartLynx flight cancellation compensation? Do you still have questions about SmartLynx compensation claim procedures and policies? Ask in the comments.