Blue Air Flight Cancellation Compensation

Blue Air flight cancellation refund. Blue Air flight cancellation compensation.

In which situations can you get a refund? When are you entitled to flight cancellation compensation? How much is it? Are you entitled to both? These are the questions you will find answers to in this article. There are number of reasons why flights get cancelled. All you need to know is, if your flight is cancelled due to the airline’s fault, you may be entitled to both – a refund from Blue Air and compensation up to €600.

In case of Blue Air, it applies to most of its flights to and from the EU.

There are two ways you can claim flight cancellation compensation.

1. Blue Air Flight Cancellation Compensation: EU Regulations

What happens if your Blue Air flight is cancelled?

Will the airline book you on a new flight? Are you entitled to a full refund? And what about flight cancellation compensation?

According to EU law, flight cancellation procedures are very specific.

If you are notified of the cancellation 7 – 14 days before the scheduled time of departure:

• You choose a new flight offered by your airline, which departs not more than 2 hours before the original departure time and you reach your destination less than 4 hours after the original arrival time. In this situation you are not entitled to compensation.
• In other situations you are entitled to compensation.

If you are notified of the cancellation less than 7 days before the scheduled time of departure:

• You choose a new flight offered by your airline, which departs not more than 1 hour before the original departure time and you reach your destination less than 2 hours after the original arrival time. In this situation you are not entitled to compensation.
• In other situations you are entitled to compensation.

Could you be entitled to Blue Air flight cancellation compensation? 

Yes, as long as your flights meets the following requirements:

• Cancellation must be Blue Air’s fault;
• It must be a last-minute flight cancellation (not earlier than 2 weeks before departure);
• Flight must be to/from Europe (the EU, UK, EEA).

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

Sometimes reasons for flight cancellations are out of the airline’s control.

Situations like these are known as extraordinary circumstances. In such cases, you aren’t entitled to flight cancellation compensation no matter how last-minute is the cancellation.

If your flight is cancelled due to bad weather, natural disaster, political instability, acts of terrorism, or strikes (unrelated to the airline), you can’t get compensation from Blue Air. These events are out of the airline’s control. The airline is not responsible for flights cancelled due to events that are out of its control. 

What kind of strikes are considered extraordinary circumstances? Planned and announced strikes are considered extraordinary circumstances, but unplanned aren’t extraordinary circumstances. Confusing, isn’t it? These are the laws in the EU.

Are you claiming compensation on your own?

Make sure to double check what you’re told.

Because not always airlines are telling you the truth. To avoid paying compensation, airlines often refuse compensation claims by telling wrong reasons for delay. To avoid the hassle of dealing with the airline, register your claim with the help of a flight compensation company. They will check your flight and claim compensation on your behalf. Our partners offer such services. 

1.2 Right to Care

Your Blue Air flight is cancelled last-minute.

Now you have to wait at the airport for a new flight.

According to the EU Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, you have a right to care from the airline as long as the waiting time at the airport is at least 3 hours.

Blue Air must offer you free meals and drinks in a reasonable relation to the waiting time, two free phone calls, e-mails or faxes. If your new flight is leaving only on the next day, a free hotel stay (including free transfer) must be offered.

It doesn’t affect your chances of getting compensation.

1.3 Blue Air Flight Cancellation Refund, Blue Air Refund Policy

And again, the rules are very specific.

These rules aren’t affected by Blue Air internal policies (Blue Air refund policy). If your flight is cancelled, Blue Air must give you a choice between a new flight and a full refund. It applies to all Blue Air flight cancellations. Including flights cancelled due to extraordinary circumstances.

If you choose the refund, keep in mind that it might take about 7 days to get it. According to the EU laws, the refund should be paid within 7 days to your bank account.

You don’t have to agree to a Blue Air voucher refund.

Here’s an excerpt from the Regulation (EC) No 261/2004:

Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, Article 5

Cancellation

In case of cancellation of a flight, the passengers concerned shall: (a) be offered assistance by the operating air carrier in accordance with Article 8.

Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, Article 8

Right to reimbursement or re-routing

Where reference is made to this Article, passengers shall be offered the choice between: (a) – reimbursement within seven days (b) re-routing, under comparable transport conditions, to their final destination at the earliest opportunity.

It doesn’t cover cases when you yourself cancel a Blue Air flight.

2. How to Claim Blue Air Compensation?

There are two ways how you can claim Blue Air flight cancellation compensation.

One of them is more time consuming, the other – easier.

One of the options is to contact Blue Air directly. Write an e-mail to Blue Air customer support center and request compensation for flight cancellation. You can find e-mail addresses on Blue Air’s website. When submitting a Blue Air flight compensation claim refer to the Regulation (EC) No 261/2004. Provide information about your flight and the reason for cancellation. Keep in mind that compensation claim process might take a while. Not always it is a straight-forward process.

You can also take the easiest path — legal representation.

If you want to avoid the hassle of communicating and negotiating with the airline, work with a flight compensation company. You will need to fill in and sign one form, and the rest will be done by the company.

Register your Blue Air compensation claim once, and the rest is done by the legal office. 

Our partners offer such services.

Read more:

• How to Claim Blue Air Compensation?
• Your Blue Air Refund Is Taking Forever. What Can You Do About It?
• Blue Air Missed Connection Compensation

2.1 How Long Does It Take?

It isn’t a short process.

If everything goes smoothly, you might receive your compensation after 2-3 months.

But not always it’s a straightforward process. If the airline refuses to cooperate, it could take a few months. You might need to negotiate with the airline, or take additional steps in order to get compensation. 

3. How Much Can You Claim?

The compensation amount in the EU is up to €600 per person.

Here is how you can calculate your Blue Air flight cancellation compensation:

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 Blue Air Voucher Refund or Cash?

What if you are offered a voucher instead of compensation?

You don’t have to accept it. Airline compensation and refunds have to be paid in cash or by bank transfer. It applies to all Blue Air flights.

4. What Happens If a Flight Is Cancelled?

What to do if your Blue Air flight is cancelled?

First of all, wait for the email from Blue Air. 

Have you received an email from Blue Air? Check it out! Most probably it will contain all the necessary information about the next available flights and refund options.

If your flight is canceled after you arrive at the airport, there’s nothing much you can do. Just wait for the announcement from the airline. Just like in the previous situation, there will be a choice between a new flight and a refund. 

If you choose the replacement flight, you might need to wait for a while. In this case, you are entitled to certain services from Blue Air. It is called “right to care” (see above). If your flight departs on the next day, the airline has to provide you with a free hotel stay and transfer.

If you choose a refund, take into account that you won’t receive it right away. Usually the refunds are made within 7 days.

If your flight is cancelled last-minute due to the fault of the airline, Blue Air has to pay flight cancellation compensation to all affected passengers.

4.1 Connecting Flights

Do you need to be on time for another flight?

If it’s a Blue Air connecting flight, don’t worry. If you miss your connection because your previous flight was delayed or cancelled, Blue Air will book you on another flight free of charge. 

But if it’s a self transfer, it’s your responsibility. 

What is a self-transfer flight? It’s separately booked flights. Self transfer is also called a DIY connecting flight. If you haven’t booked your flights under one booking reference (like it is with airline-protected connecting flights), the airline is not responsible for your missed connection. Even if these are separately-booked flights with the same airline. Because it’s still a self transfer.  

You will need to book a new flight yourself. 

Travel insurance that covers trip interruptions and changes may cover the costs.

Blue Air Flight Cancellation Compensation and Refund: FAQ

Blue Air Refund

EU – Non-EU Flights, Tourists

Other Situations

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