Can I request a partial refund for a missed flight due to airplane problems?
March 3, 2024 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Alwin Hohenwarter
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am Martina Zornitz and I recently booked a flight with the airline XYZ. Unfortunately, due to aircraft problems, there was a significant delay in my flight, causing me to miss my connecting flight. As a result, I had to book an additional night at the airport and lost valuable vacation time.
Now I am wondering if I can claim a partial refund for the costs of the additional night and the lost vacation days. I feel severely impacted by the aircraft problems and the delay and wonder if the airline can be held liable for this.
What legal options do I have in this situation? Can I claim compensation for the missed connecting flight and the additional costs? How should I proceed to enforce my claims and what documents should I have ready for this?
I would greatly appreciate it if you could help me in this matter and show me how I can uphold my rights as a passenger.
Sincerely,
Martina Zornitz
Dear Mrs. Zornitz,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the problems you experienced due to a significant flight delay with airline XYZ. I am sorry to hear that you missed your connecting flight due to the delay of your flight and had to book an additional overnight stay at the airport. It is understandable that this has resulted in a significant disruption to your vacation.
In such a situation, as a passenger, you usually have certain rights and claims that allow you to seek compensation for the missed connecting flight and the additional costs incurred. According to EU Regulation 261/2004, passengers are entitled to compensation in certain circumstances for flight delays, cancellations, or missed connecting flights.
In the case of a significant flight delay, passengers are entitled to compensation unless the delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances that are beyond the airline's control. In your case, if the delay was due to aircraft issues, you may potentially be entitled to compensation.
In addition to potential compensation for the flight delay, you may also request a refund for the additional costs of the overnight stay at the airport and the lost vacation days. The airline is usually obligated to reimburse you for these costs since they are responsible for the issues and the delay.
To assert your claims and uphold your rights as a passenger, it is important that you collect and retain all relevant documentation. This includes your flight tickets, booking confirmations, receipts for the additional costs of the overnight stay, and any correspondence with the airline.
To pursue your claims, I recommend that you first contact the airline directly and demand compensation for the issues you experienced. If the airline is unwilling to provide you with adequate compensation, you can contact a consumer protection agency or a specialized travel law attorney to pursue your claims through legal means.
I hope that this information is helpful to you and supports you in asserting your claims. If you have any further questions or need additional assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Alwin Hohenwarter
Travel Law Attorney
