SmartLynx flight delay compensation.
How to claim for delayed flight? And how much can you get?
In certain situations you can get compensation from the airline. If your SmartLynx flight is heavily delayed due to the fault of the airline, you might be entitled to flight delay compensation from SmartLynx. It doesn’t matter what is your age, nationality, price of the ticket, or whether or not you have travel insurance. All travellers are protected under the law, and SmartLynx has to follow these laws. How to claim compensation for a delayed flight?
One of the options is to let professionals deal with this.
Or, you can pursue flight delay compensation on your own.
1. SmartLynx Flight Delay Compensation: EU Regulations
Overall, the EU flight delay compensation rules are simple.
You are entitled to flight delay compensation, if you arrive at your destination 3+ hours later than scheduled, and the delay is due to the airline’s fault.
If you’re flying to or from Europe, your flight is delayed for 3 or more hours, and the delay is due to the fault of SmartLynx, you are eligible to compensation of up to €600.
Could you be entitled to SmartLynx flight delay compensation?
Yes, if your SmartLynx flight meets these requirements:
- It’s a 3+ hour delay;
- It’s due to the fault of SmartLynx;
- Flight is to/from Europe.
SmartLynx is a charter airline. Even though SmartLynx is a charter airline, you still are protected under the European law. Because the regulations also cover European charter airlines.
So, all the above mentioned rules apply to all SmartLynx delays and cancellations.
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
There are situations when you aren’t eligible for compensation.
Flights delayed due to “extraordinary circumstances” are not eligible to compensation.
Extraordinary circumstances are events which are out of the airline’s control. Bad weather, natural disaster, terrorism threat, political or civil unrest, and security issues at the airport, just to name a few. If your SmartLynx flight is delayed because of any of these events, you can’t get European flight delay compensation.
Keep in mind that some airport strikes are considered extraordinary circumstances, too. If it’s a big, nationwide strike unrelated to the airline, it’s an extraordinary circumstance. If your flight is delayed due to such a strike, you can’t get SmartLynx flight delay compensation.
How about strikes? Are strikes always regarded as extraordinary circumstances? Not all strikes are caused by extraordinary circumstances. The EU has rules about strikes: if an airline’s employees go on strike, it’s the airline’s fault. That’s why SmartLynx staff strikes are their fault.
If you are claiming compensation on your own, always double check what you’re told.
Not always airlines are telling the real reason for delay. To avoid paying compensation, airlines often refuse compensation claims by not telling the right reason for delay. To avoid this, work with a flight compensation company. They can check your flight and claim compensation on your behalf. Our partners offer such services.
Just fill in the claim form on our website, and our partners will check your flight.
1.2 How to Calculate the Delay Time?
What really matters is the time of arrival to your destination.
Arrival time, not departure time. Flight delay time is calculated based on the actual time of arrival to your destination, specifically, when the doors of the airplane are opened. If the doors are opened 3 or more hours after the original arrival time, you can get compensation. Keep in mind that you can’t calculate the delay time based on the time of departure.
1.3 Right to Care
In Europe you also have a right to care.
If your flight is heavily delayed (3 hours or more), and you have to wait at the airport until it departs, you have a right to receive care from the airline. This also applies to cancellations and overbooking.
It doesn’t matter why your flight is disrupted. You have a right to care even if your flight is disrupted due to extraordinary circumstances.
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 the flight is delayed overnight, you should be offered accommodation and transportation from and to the airport as well. In Europe all passengers are eligible for this type of care from the airline.
2. How to Claim SmartLynx Compensation For Delayed Flight?
How to claim flight delay compensation SmartLynx owes you?
There are two ways you can do it online.
One of the options is to contact SmartLynx yourself. Write an email to SmartLynx customer support center and request compensation for flight delay. You can find email addresses on SmartLynx’s website. Alternatively, you can use the contact/complaint form on the airline’s website. When requesting compensation, make sure you mention your rights (refer to the EC Regulation 261/2004), delay time and the reason for delay. Note that compensation claim process may take a few months and be prepared for negotiations.
The second option is — legal representation.
It’s the easiest of the two options.
If you don’t want the hassle, this option is for you. In this case everything is done by a team of legal professionals, a flight compensation claim company. All you have to do is to fill in one form, and the rest is done on your behalf. You don’t have to contact the airline yourself. 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?
- SmartLynx Missed Connection Compensation
- Your SmartLynx Compensation Claim Is Denied. Now What?
- Your SmartLynx Flight Is Delayed. Should You Wait at Home?
2.1 How Long Does It Take?
It depends on the case.
But one thing is clear — no matter how you proceed, it isn’t a short process.
If the airline refuses to cooperate, it could take a few months.
If everything goes smoothly, you might receive your compensation after 2-3 months.
3. How Much Can You Claim?
The compensation amount is fixed and range from €250 to €600.
How to calculate your SmartLynx delayed flight compensation?
Use this simple flight delay compensation calculator.
When your destination is within the EU/UK:
€250
If the distance of your flight is
up to 1,500 km
€400
If the distance of your flight is between 1,500 – 3,500 km
When your destination is outside the EU/UK:
€250
If the distance of your flight is
up to 1,500 km
€400
If the distance of your flight is between 1,500 – 3,500 km
€600
If the distance of your flight is more than 3,500 km
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?
You might be offered a SmartLynx voucher instead of compensation.
Do you have to accept it? No. Compensations we are talking about in this article have to be paid to your bank card. If you have been offered a SmartLynx voucher instead of bank transfer, you can refuse. Ask for cash or bank transfer instead.
SmartLynx Flight Delay Compensation: FAQ
My flight ticket was cheap. Will it lower the chances of getting compensation?
No.
Because the price of the ticket doesn’t matter.
The cheap price of your ticket also doesn’t affect the compensation amount you are getting.
Do I need to have travel insurance in order to claim compensation?
No, you don’t.
You can claim compensation even if you don’t have insurance. According to Regulation EC 261/2004, as long as it’s a delay of at least 3 hours, and it’s due to the fault of the airline, you might be entitled to compensation.
It doesn’t matter if you have insurance or not.
Can my kid get compensation from SmartLynx?
Yes.
The age of the passenger doesn’t matter. If you are entitled to compensation of 600 euro, your child/baby will be too. Even infants who have a special infant ticket can get compensation.
Can I claim compensation for another person?
Can you claim compensation for a friend, relative, family member?
Yes, you can. Even if you weren’t on that flight yourself.
Ask them to provide their passport copy and boarding pass. Also they will need to sign a couple of documents. The rest you can easily do yourself.
How far back can I claim compensation?
It depends on the laws of the country.
But in many European countries you can claim compensation even for old flights. If your disrupted flight was 2-3 years ago, you might still be able to claim compensation for it. However, we would recommend you to make a claim as soon as you return from your trip.
What to do if SmartLynx is refusing to pay compensation?
SmartLynx is refusing to pay compensation even though you are entitled to it.
What to do in such a situation? Can you still proceed? Yes. There are two options how you can continue. The best way is to hand over your case to a flight compensation company. The company will finish the process and claim compensation on your behalf.
Alternatively, you may contact the respective national enforcement body and ask them to help solve your case. There are national enforcement bodies in all the EU Member states.
EU – Non-EU Flights, Regulation UK261, Tourists
I’m flying to the EU from a country outside the EU. Can I get compensation?
If you’re flying with SmartLynx, then you can.
If your SmartLynx flight departing from a country outside the EU is eligible to compensation, you can get it. According to the EU Flight Compensation Regulation 261/2004, you are protected on all SmartLynx flights.
I’m flying from the EU to a country outside the EU. Can I get compensation?
If it’s a SmartLynx flight, then you can.
I am not a European. Can I get compensation?
Yes.
In Europe, all passengers are protected. Both tourists from overseas and Europeans alike.
Other Situations
SmartLynx booked me on a new flight and provided me with a free hotel room. Can I still get compensated?
Yes.
If your flight is eligible to compensation, you can get it, even if you accepted care and a new flight from the airline.
SmartLynx took me to my destination. Can I still get compensation?
You might.
If your flight is eligible to compensation, you can get it even if you accepted a new flight.
If you arrived at least 3 hours later than scheduled, and the delay was due to the fault of the airline, you are entitled to compensation (up to €600 per passenger). Also you are entitled to care from the airline, and, if necessary (in case of cancellation or denied boarding), a new flight, too.
What is your experience? Have you ever received SmartLynx flight delay compensation? Do you still have questions about SmartLynx compensation claim procedures and policies? Ask in the comments.