Your refund rights if your easyJet flight is canceled – and what entitles you to additional compensation
- Thousands of easyJet customers are experiencing flight cancellations today
- But no customer should be left out, with flights and refunds on offer
Thousands of easyJet customers are facing travel chaos after the airline canceled flights from Gatwick this morning – but the good news is that refunds and compensation are available.
Around 180,000 easyJet passengers had their flights canceled today, with some flights scheduled for July, August and September no longer flying.
The airline blames the cancellations on “unprecedented” air traffic control delays and has rebooked 95 percent of affected travelers to other flights.
However, about 9,000 customers are still stuck and have not booked replacement flights.
These are your rights if your easyJet flight is cancelled.
EasyJet has canceled flights, causing headaches for those flying now and later in the summer
Rebook your easyjet flight
The first step easyJet will take is to try to rebook your canceled flight.
Passengers whose flights have been canceled will be allowed to rebook with rival airlines if they have seats on flights that same day, and easyJet has to pay.
Refund or vouchers
If a replacement flight on the day itself is not possible, or you just don’t want it, the next step is to get a refund or a voucher.
Rules from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) regulator say refunds must be made in cash.
But airlines, including easyJet, also give vouchers, which can be used on any easyJet flight within 12 months.
EasyJet customers can rebook flights or receive refunds through the airline’s website.
Compensation for canceled flights
Consumers may be entitled to compensation for delayed or canceled flights, as well as reimbursement of the cost of the flight or a replacement booking.
A spokesperson for Citizens Advice said: ‘You can claim up to £520 in compensation if the delay is the airline’s fault – depending on the distance and destination of your flight, and what time it arrived.’
However, that fee must be claimed – it is not paid automatically.
You must also accept a replacement flight to receive this compensation.
Under CAA rules, travelers can claim compensation if they had to wait two or more hours before being put on a replacement flight and received less than two weeks’ notice of the cancellation.
But what you can claim depends on how long your canceled flight lasted and how long you were notified.
The maximum compensation for short-haul flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km is £350 for those arriving at least three hours later than the original flight.
Long-haul flights over 3,500km will be paid £520 if they arrive at least four hours after the scheduled arrival time of the original flight.
| Travel distance | Criteria for replacement flights | A fee |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 1,500 km | Depart at least one hour before the original flight | £110 |
| Less than 1,500 km | Arrival up to two hours after the original flight | £110 |
| Less than 1,500 km | Arrive at least two hours later than the original flight | £220 |
| 1,500 km to 3,500 km | Depart at least one hour before the original flight | £175 |
| 1,500 km to 3,500 km | Arrival up to three hours after the original flight | £175 |
| 1,500 km to 3,500 km | Arrive at least three hours later than the original flight | £350 |
| More than 3,500 km | Depart at least one hour before the original flight | £260 |
| More than 3,500 km | Arrival up to four hours after the original flight | £260 |
| More than 3,500 km | Arrive at least four hours later than the original flight | £520 |
| Source: CAA Rules | ||
If your flight was canceled more than a week before the scheduled departure date, the compensation rate will be slightly different.
| Travel distance | Criteria for replacement flights | A fee |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 1,500 km | Depart at least two hours before the original flight | £110 |
| Less than 1,500 km | Arrival up to two hours after the original flight | £110 |
| Less than 1,500 km | Arrive at least two hours earlier than the original flight | £220 |
| Less than 1,500 km | Arrive at least two hours later than the original flight | £220 |
| 1,500 km to 3,500 km | Depart up to two hours before the original flight | £175 |
| 1,500 km to 3,500 km | Arrival up to three hours after the original flight | £175 |
| 1,500 km to 3,500 km | Depart up to two hours earlier than the original flight | £350 |
| 1,500 km to 3,500 km | Arrive three to hours later than the original flight | £350 |
| 1,500 km to 3,500 km | Arrive at least four hours later than the original flight | £350 |
| More than 3,500 km | Depart up to two hours before the original flight | £260 |
| More than 3,500 km | Arrival up to four hours after the original flight | £260 |
| More than 3,500 km | Arrive at least four hours later than the original flight | £520 |
| Source: CAA Rules | ||
Travel insurance and airline cancellations
Travel insurance usually provides standard cover for canceled trips.
However, these deals are unlikely to be of much use to easyJet customers with the latest batch of canceled flights.
That’s because all customers should be getting payouts or replacement flights from easyJet, meaning no claims need be made.
EasyJet has been approached for comment.