AirBaltic Flight Delay Compensation

AirBaltic flight delay compensation.

How to claim for delayed flight? And how much can you get?

In Europe, you are protected against flight delays, flight cancellations and denied boarding. In the event of a disrupted flight, you are entitled to receive care from the airline, and in some cases, flight compensation. It doesn’t matter what is your nationality, the price of your ticket, and whether or not you have an insurance. All travellers in the EU/UK are protected under the law, and airBaltic 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. AirBaltic Flight Delay Compensation: EU Regulations

Overall, the EU flight delay compensation rules are simple.

According to the EU flight compensation regulation, EC 261/2001, you might be entitled to compensation from your airline if you reach your destination at least 3 hours later than scheduled, and the delay is due to the fault of the airline.

If you’re flying to or from Europe, your flight is delayed for 3+ hours, and the delay is due to the fault of airBaltic, you are eligible to compensation of up to €600.

If your flight is with a non-EU airline (e.g., Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, etc.), it applies only to flights departing from the EU.

Could you be entitled to airBaltic flight delay compensation?

Yes, if the flight meets these criteria:

• It’s a 3 hour delay, or more;
• It’s due to the fault of airBaltic;
• Flight is to/from Europe.

So, all the above mentioned rules apply to all airBaltic 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 outside the airline’s control. If your flight is delayed due to such events, the airline is not obliged to pay compensation. The airline is not responsible for flights delayed or cancelled due to events outside its control. 

But what exactly are extraordinary circumstances? Events such as bad weather, natural disaster, national strike, terrorism threat, civil unrest and security issues at the airport are considered extraordinary circumstances. As you can understand, such events are outside the airline’s control.

What about strikes? Are all strikes considered to be extraordinary circumstances? No, not all strikes are extraordinary circumstances. When it comes to strikes, the rules in the EU are as follows – if it’s an airline’s staff strike, then it’s the airline’s fault. Hence, airBaltic staff strikes are airBaltic’s fault.

One more thing to remember is that not always airlines are telling the real reason for delay. That’s why when in doubt, double check what you’re told.

To avoid paying compensation, airlines often tell their customers wrong reasons for flight delay, and wrongly refuse compensation claims. If you are claiming compensation on your own, be prepared for a refusal. Be persistent and ask for proof. Another option is to work with a flight compensation company. They can check your flight and claim compensation on your behalf.

Just fill in our form, and our partners will do that for you.

1.2 How to Calculate the Delay Time?

What really matters is the time of arrival to your destination.

To calculate the delay time, see how much later you arrive at your final destination. The same applies to connecting flights. You don’t have to look at how much later you arrived at any of the layover airports, only the final destination matters. The actual departure time doesn’t matter in this case either.

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 you are stranded at the airport due to flight delay, flight cancellation or denied boarding, the airline has to provide you with certain services for free. What does it mean for you as a passenger?

AirBaltic 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 airBaltic Compensation For Delayed Flight?

How to claim flight delay compensation airBaltic owes you?

There are two ways you can do it online.

One of the options is to contact airBaltic yourself. Visit airBaltic’s website to submit your claim.   You will need to fill in the claim form, providing information about your flight. Keep in mind that it’s not a fast process. It could take months until you receive your compensation. If the airline doesn’t cooperate, you need to be persistent. Send a reminder email, use social media channels to contact the airline, call, etc.

The second option is — legal representation.

It’s the easiest (and most hassle-free) of the two options.

If you choose to work with a flight compensation company, everything will be done on your behalf. You need to fill in one form. You don’t need to communicate with the airline. A lawyer does that on your behalf. Our partners offer such services.

Read more:

• How to Claim airBaltic Compensation?
• AirBaltic Missed Connection Compensation
• Your airBaltic Compensation Claim Is Denied. Now What?
• Your airBaltic Flight Is Delayed. Should You Wait at Home?

2.1 How Long Does It Take?

No matter how you proceed, it isn’t a short process. 

If everything goes smoothly, you will get the money in 2-3 month’s time. 

If the airline doesn’t cooperate, it will take more than that. 

3. How Much Can You Claim?

The compensation amount is fixed and range from €250 to €600.

How to calculate your airBaltic delayed flight compensation?

Use this simple flight delay compensation calculator.

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 AirBaltic Voucher Refund or Cash?

You might be offered an airBaltic voucher or coupon instead of compensation.

Majority of airlines were offering coupons during the COVID crisis. 

Many still do that now. But do you need to accept vouchers as a compensation? No. You don’t have to. According to European regulations, all refunds and compensations have to be paid either in cash or bank transfer. Not in vouchers, coupons, discounts or miles.

AirBaltic Flight Delay Compensation: FAQ

EU – Non-EU Flights, Tourists

Other Situations

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