Poland Flights has gathered some information on how best to avoid flight cancellations and delays and what entitlements you may be entitled to if you do encounter these.
Avoiding Flight Delays
- Spend time researching the ratings for ‘on-time’ for each airline that you are interested in flying with and select the airline that has the highest rating.
- Awareness of any labour issues and/or negotiations that may be currently underway or due is a good idea when planning your trip. Watch the news and select another airline if it becomes apparent that these issues and/or negotiations will be happening around the time that you are planning of travel.
- Avoidance of peak travel times will minimise any chance of being delayed or even having your flight canceled.
- Research the weather conditions that are common along the course that your flight will be taking to ensure that you are able to avoid any bad weather.
- Indirect flights that require flight changes or stops will increase the possibility of facing delays. Try to select a direct flight to your destination.
- Early morning flights are less likely to be delayed and if there is a delay there are more alternatives open to you to reach your destination throughout the day.
- Stay away from the last flight of the day as you may find you have to stay overnight if there is a delay.
- If you have a fear that you will face a delay, it is advisable for you to use a paper ticket rather than an e-ticket. Many airlines will need to transfer you to a paper ticket before they are able to transfer you to a different airline if using an e-ticket as many airlines do not have the facility to transfer e-ticket customers.
Flight canceled or delayed? - Poland Flights advisers you on What to do
- Work with the airlines staff to book you onto another flight. Shouting and losing your temper will not produce quick results and in some cases may even produce no result. Be polite and you will discover that the results will be happen faster and may even work to your advantage.
- Call the reservation centre of the airline directly to try and book another flight if there is a large queue of customers at the counter. There is a chance that they will be able to guarantee you a seat on another flight.
- If you are not traveling alone, use this to your advantage. One person stands in line at the counter whilst another is on the phone. If you have access to a mobile phone, call the airline directly whilst standing in line at the counter.
- If there are any people in your group check to see if any of them are members in any premium clubs that may be able to assist you in receiving special consideration.
- Each airline has guidelines in their contract that state what action will be taken to assist you in continuing your trip and any compensation that you may be due if any. Ask the airline to be protected under these guidelines as it is a contract entered into by both you and the airline when you purchased the ticket. The airline is unable to select a different policy to the stated in these guidelines.
- Your airline will probably try to find you a seat on another flight on their own airline but failing this they may be willing to help find you a flight on another airline. The airlines available for flights will normally depend on airlines that have an agreement with the airline you currently hold your ticket with.
- If there are a lot of people who are in the same situation as yourself and may be for a considerable amount of time it is advisable to find a hotel and/or rental car before everyone else does.
- Take into account that there may be other means of practical transport available to you to get you to your destination.
- If the airport has closed for any reason you will need to make decisions quickly as available means of transport and hotel rooms will sell quickly.
- If there are additional reservations that will be affected by your delay ensure that these are updated.
What is my compensation entitlement?
- A majority of airlines will attempt to reschedule your flight or possibly offer you vouchers that can be used on future flights with the airline. However, some airlines state in their guidelines that you are entitled to an involuntary refund for the unused part of your ticket if you decide you do not want to accept the rescheduled flight. This is the case even if you purchased a non-refundable ticket.
- It is quicker and simpler to receive your refund if you purchased your ticket with a credit card. There is also the option to ask your credit card company about a charge back if the airline refuses to refund you.
- Ensure that you make a copy of any tickets prior to sending if the airline requests that you send them the unused ticket before they issue the refund.
- Within the guidelines of the airlines contract it will state what compensation, if any, you are entitled to if the airline suffers a cancellation or delay.
- Dependant on the reason for the flights cancellation or delay the compensation will vary.
- If cancellations or delays for flights is due to an issue that is beyond the control of the airline, known as "Force Majeure", any compensation due may be limited or even non existent.
- The clause "Force Majeure" basically means any issue that may arise which is beyond the control of the airline or is unforeseen by the airline.
- Dependant on your circumstances, the compensation you are entitled to may cover the cost of a hotel stay, transportation or meals. However there are certain circumstances where these forms of compensation are not available due to the location of the cancellation or delay.
- Checking in late could mean that you lose the right to any types of compensation including an involuntary refund.
- Retain all receipts for any expenses that are incurred due to your cancellation or delay. There is the option to make an appeal to the customer services of the airline regardless of what the rules of the airline states. Keep all the original receipts yourself and send the airline copies.
- Although you may not be entitled to compensation from an airline they may still offer you something to retain a happy customer.
