Top questions regarding flight compensation
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What is a disrupted flight?
A flight is considered disrupted and you can claim for compensation if:- The flight was delayed and was late to arrive at the destination by more than 3 hours.
- The flight was cancelled less than 14 days before departure.
- The air carrier refused to fly you because there were no available seats on the airplane.
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How do I know if I am entitled to flight compensation?
You are entitled to compensation if your flight was disrupted due to the airline’s fault, and the disruption fits the criteria listed in the European Parliament and Council Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004. The easiest way to check whether you can receive compensation from the airline is to complete the free application form on our website. -
How long does it take to get a flight delay compensation?
Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004 does not set any limits or deadlines on the process. Therefore, it can take some time to get your compensation depending on the airline, the complexity of the case and internal regulations of the country. In the rare event that the case needs to be addressed by authorities or goes to court, the compensation recovery process can take even longer. But we will try to get the compensation as fast as possible. This also applies to cancelled and overbooked flight compensation. -
How much compensation for a delayed or cancelled flight can I get?
The compensation for a delayed or cancelled flight ranges from €250 to €600 per passenger. The amount depends on the flight distance - the longer the distance, the higher the compensation amount. -
Which flight compensation should I claim?
The type of compensation you should claim depends on the type of disruption you experienced - that could be a delayed flight, cancelled flight or overbooked flight. The easiest way to find out which compensation you should claim is to simply fill Skycop’s free compensation form. We’ll help you figure out the rest. -
What fees does Skycop charge if the airline rejects my flight compensation claim?
Nothing – we will not charge any fees if it turns out that the customer is not entitled to compensation. -
My claim has already been rejected by the airlines. Can I still use Skycop services?
Of course! If you sought compensation independently, but the airlines rejected it, fill in our claim form and provide all the information you have received from the airline – including the reason why your claim was denied. If we see that the airline had no valid reason to reject your claim, we will take all necessary steps to help you get compensated. -
I lost my plane ticket. Is there a way to start the claim process without it?
Yes. The most important details to know are your flight number, the flight reservation number, departure/arrival airports, and the exact date of the flight. These details are usually provided in the confirmation email sent by the airline. However, not all airlines are satisfied with this, so we would like to ask you to submit your flight documents (tickets, boarding passes, etc.) too. This very important in cases when airlines reject the claim: without documentation, we will not be able escalate the matter by going to authorities or courts. -
How much do Skycop services cost?
No matter the time or resources spent on your claim, you won’t have to pay if we don’t win. Please, check Skycop Price List for more information.
General information about delayed, cancelled or overbooked flights
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What is a disrupted flight?
A flight is considered disrupted and you can claim for compensation if:- The flight was delayed and was late to arrive at the destination by more than 3 hours.
- The flight was cancelled less than 14 days before departure.
- The air carrier refused to fly you because there were no available seats on the airplane.
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How do I know if I am entitled to flight compensation?
You are entitled to compensation if your flight was disrupted due to the airline’s fault, and the disruption fits the criteria listed in the European Parliament and Council Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004. The easiest way to check whether you can receive compensation from the airline is to complete the free application form on our website. -
How long does a flight need to be delayed to qualify for compensation?
A flight needs to be late to reach its destination by 3 hours or more to qualify for a delayed flight compensation. -
How much compensation can I expect for a delayed or cancelled flight?
Depending on the distance you were planning to travel, you can expect compensation ranging from €250 to €600. -
When can you claim compensation for flight delays?
You can claim compensation for flight delays if:- Your delayed flight was from/within the EU - or arrived to EU and was operated by an EU airline,
- The flight delay was the airline’s fault,
- Your flight was late to arrive at the final destination by 3 hours or more.
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How to claim compensation for flight delays?
To claim compensation for flight delays simply fill out our online application form. We will take care of the rest. -
How to claim compensation for a cancelled flight?
To claim compensation for your cancelled flight, simply fill out our free online application form. We will take care of the process for you. -
How soon after the disrupted flight should I be compensated?
Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004 has not set any limits or deadlines on the process. Therefore, it can take more or less time depending on the complexity of the case, the airline, and internal regulations of the country. -
I’ve already received compensation from the airline in the form of gift certificates, cash and/or ancillary services. Can I file an additional claim?
Yes. Usually the value of compensations proposed by airlines is less than what you are entitled to under Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004. Even if you have already received a gift coupon, discount for travel, or an amount of money proposed by the airline, etc., you still may be entitled to further compensation under Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004, but it can be reduced, depending on the value of the compensation you have already received. If you accepted any form of compensation from the airline, please notify us as accurately as possible about it, including information about any documents you were asked to sign when accepting the compensation. -
When am I not entitled to compensation?
You are not entitled to compensation when a flight is disrupted due to force majeure or for reasons not related to the airline’s operations. Examples include:- Weather conditions that are not suitable for the flight, natural disasters (e.g. the Ejafjadlojokudlio volcano that erupted in Iceland in 2010)
- Airport operation disruptions
- Acts of terrorism or military actions
- Trade union strikes
- Airplane factory defects
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Which countries are subject to Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004?
The regulation is valid in all EU countries. In this case, the EU means the 28 EU Member States and Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion, Mayotte, Saint Martin (French Antilles), the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland. -
How Long Are Compensation Claims Valid?
In general, for flights departing from the EU, passengers have the right to claim compensation for flight delays or cancellations within 2 or 3 years from the date of the flight, although this can vary from country to country. -
What Are “Extraordinary Circumstances”?
"Extraordinary circumstances" are events that are not within the control of the airline – for example, bad weather conditions, security risks, airport staff strikes or unforeseen technical problems with the aircraft. -
Flight Delay Compensation Rules – How Is Flight Delay Calculated?
The time of delay that is taken into account when determining compensation is the delay at arrival, not at departure. To be eligible for compensation, your flight must arrive at its final destination at least 3 hours later than scheduled. -
Right to Care: Food, Refreshments and Accommodation
According to your flight delay rights, you are entitled to get free food, refreshments, and accommodation from the airline if your flight is delayed for a certain period of time. This is intended to help cover the additional expenses that may be incurred as a result of the delay.
How Skycop works
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What if the airline refuses to pay compensation?
If the airline refuses to pay compensation for delayed flights, etc, we will review all of your flight-related materials and, if necessary, seek legal action. -
My claim has already been rejected by the airlines. Can I still use Skycop services?
Of course! If you sought compensation independently, but the airlines rejected it, fill in our claim form and provide all the information you have received from the airline – including the reason why your claim was denied. If we see that the airline had no valid reason to reject your claim, we will take all necessary steps to help you get compensated. -
I completed the claim form and received the answer that my flight compensation claim will not be pursued. What can I do next?
If you filled the claim form in the system and received a notification that we cannot pursue the claim, the most likely case is that your flight disruption was caused by something that Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004 does not regard as making you entitled to a compensation. -
How long does the compensation recovery process take?
Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004 has not set any limits or deadlines on the process. Therefore, it can take more or less time depending on the complexity of the case, the airline, and internal regulations of the country. If the claim process goes to the authorities or courts, you can expect it to last even longer. -
Can you help with compensation for lost baggage?
Skycop may help you claim compensation for lost or damaged baggage. Please contact our support team. -
Can I keep track of the actions Skycop compensation specialists take so that I know the progress of my claim?
Yes. Just log in to your user account to see the whole process, check for any missing information required, and see other relevant information. -
What kind of agreement is concluded with Skycop?
The claim assignment agreement is concluded with Skycop, under which you transfer your claim rights to Skycop or, in some instances, the agreement on providing services for recovery of compensation. -
What shall I do if I want to terminate an agreement concluded with Skycop?
You have the right to terminate an agreement within 14 days from the conclusion of the agreement. Skycop will commence respective works with the recovery of compensation right after the conclusion of the agreement, and that may impact the termination of the agreement. More on this is in the General Terms and Conditions.
Information about Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004 and the Air Passenger Rights
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Can I get denied boarding compensation because of overbooking? What are my other rights?
In this case, you can expect to:- Recover the full price of the ticket within 7 days from the date of the incident
- Get a ticket on the next plane to your final destination, under similar terms
- Select a later flight under similar conditions.
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I am a non-EU citizen. Can I expect compensation for a cancelled or delayed flight?
Yes. Irrespective of the passenger’s nationality, the regulation applies to all passengers who departed from any airport within the EU or arrived to the EU on an airline registered in the European Union. -
I bought my ticket not directly from the airline, but through an agent. Can I still file a compensation claim?
Regardless of where or how you purchased your ticket if you were going to travel/travelled on that flight and have a ticket with your name on it – you can claim compensation. When a disruption is considered claimable, the airlines are regarded as being responsible for the flight disruption and claims are submitted to them. -
I flew from a non-EU member country. Can I expect compensation if a flight was disrupted?
Yes. According to the EU regulation, you can expect compensation, but it is important that you were travelling with EU-registered airlines. If you flew from an EU country with a stop outside the EU, you can expect compensation if you reached the destination more than 3 hours late. -
My flight was cancelled and the airline offered to reroute me via another flight, which was supposed to depart two days later. This did not fit my plans and I bought new tickets with another carrier. Will I get a refund for these new tickets?
According to Regulation (EC) 261/2004, if the passenger refuses the alternate flight, lodging or food and drink that the airline offered, the airline isn’t obligated to refund the tickets the passenger bought themselves – or to refund any other costs that the passenger experienced by refusing the airline’s help. However, the passenger can still get claim flight compensation and get a refund for the cancelled flight. -
My flight was delayed and I missed my connection. Does the Regulation defend my rights in this case?
If you purchased your tickets in one reservation from the same airline, and paid by one bank transfer (in other words – your connecting flights have the same reference number) – you will be entitled to compensation if you reached your final destination more than 3 hours later than expected. However, if the tickets were purchased separately, and have different reference numbers from different airlines, it is not treated as a connecting flight and the disruptions of each flight are assessed separately. In this case, you may be entitled to compensation only for the flights that were late for more than three hours. -
My flight was delayed by more than 3 hours. What are my other rights?
The carrier must provide you with free meals and drinks, access to two free calls, let you use email or send a free fax. When you have to wait for a flight for one or more nights, you must be granted free accommodation in a hotel, including transport to/from the airport. -
My flight was with a non-EU airline. Can I expect compensation if a flight was disrupted?
Yes, you can expect compensation if the flight departed from any airport within the territory of the EU. -
Someone else bought the flight ticket for me. Who should file a claim in this case, and what is the process?
In all cases, the beneficiary is the person who travelled/was due to travel. Therefore, even though your ticket was paid for e.g. by your employer who sent you away for business purposes, or you received a ticket from your parents as a gift, or won it in a lottery – you are the person who experienced the inconvenience of a disrupted flight, therefore, you must fill in the claim form. -
What law regulates the payment of compensation for delayed or cancelled flights?
The rights of air passengers and the obligations of airlines are outlined in EU law by Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004. The document details the rules on compensation and assistance to passengers in the event of denied boarding and of cancellation or long delay of flights.
Payment of flight compensation and taxes
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How much does the bank transfer cost?
As a standard, the money is transferred to the provided bank account at no cost. However, we are not responsible and shall not cover any charges or administration fees imposed by your bank. -
How will I get my money for the compensated flight?
Your funds will be sent by bank transfer. To do so, we will need your personal account details, which you can submit upon logging into your account. -
In what currency will I receive my money?
The funds will be transferred in your preferred currency to the bank account provided. If you wish to receive compensation in a currency other than the euro, a currency conversion fee may be applied. -
What fees does Skycop charge if the airline rejects my flight compensation claim?
Nothing – we will not charge any fees if it turns out that the customer is not entitled to compensation. -
How much do Skycop services cost?
No matter the time or resources spent on your claim, you won’t have to pay if we don’t win. Please, check Skycop Price List for more information.
Required documents
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What is the flight reservation number and where can I find it?
It is a unique combination of 6 symbols – letters and numbers – which you can find on your e-ticket or a document confirming the flight booking. If you no longer have the ticket, you are advised to thoroughly check your inbox, including the junk folder, for emails which may contain ticket payment confirmation, reminders about the date of travel, etc – often, these letters also contain the booking number. -
I lost my plane ticket. Is there a way to start the claim process without it?
Yes. The most important details to know are your flight number, the flight reservation number, departure/arrival airports, and the exact date of the flight. These details are usually provided in the confirmation email sent by the airline. However, not all airlines are satisfied with this, so we would like to ask you to submit your flight documents (tickets, boarding passes, etc.) too. This very important in cases when airlines reject the claim: without documentation, we will not be able escalate the matter by going to authorities or courts.
Other questions about flight compensation
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In which cases am I only entitled to 50% of the compensation?
If a passenger has agreed to choose another flight instead of the cancelled flight, the airlines can reduce the amount of compensation by up to 50%, but only if the difference between the time when the passenger had to reach his destination, and when he actually reached it, is less than 3 hours. -
I filed a claim and was contacted by the airline offering to settle the compensation. Should I accept it?
Upon noticing a passenger handling claim operations via an intermediary, the airline often contacts them directly and offers to close the case by paying a set amount of money. The amount offered by the airline could be significantly lower than what you are entitled to. Therefore, we recommend that you contact a Skycop consultant first before accepting any kind of offer. -
I had to purchase a ticket from another airline to reach my destination. Can I claim compensation for additional costs?
Any additional expenses related to the delay and outlined in the Regulation – hotels, meals, drinks within reasonable limits (so no champagne or caviar) – must be refunded by the airline based on the sales receipts. However, each airline has a different way of dealing with it. -
The reasons for my flight disruption are not listed in these FAQs. Who can I contact?
If you are not sure whether you are entitled to compensation – fill in a claim in our system, or write to us at claim@skycop.com and we will answer all your questions.
Skycop Care Membership
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What is the difference between purchasing a Skycop Care membership and claiming for a disrupted flight compensation by filling in the form via Skycop website?
Skycop Care membership is designated to protect your flights in advance. You still can claim for a disrupted flight compensation which had happened before you became a Skycop Care member and we will do everything to get you the money from the airline. An usual fee will apply and if we won’t win, you still won’t have to pay anything. No upfront payments either. When you’ll face a flight disruption after purchasing Skycop Care membership, you will have to fill in the claim form the usual way. However, we will start working on your claim immediately as Skycop Care members are our top priority. And, if your flight is eligible for a compensation, we will get it at no additional charge - up to €600 for every flight. Yes, that’s right: we will work with unlimited number of claims for free - as long as you are subscribed to Skycop Care. -
How can I purchase Skycop Care membership? How often should I pay for it to be renewed?
By clicking “Purchase Now” you will be directed to a Skycop Care purchase page where you will have to enter your payment details only once – after you’ll complete the purchase, wait for confirmation stating that you have become a Skycop Care member. Skycop Care membership as a yearly, semi-yearly, quarterly or monthly subscription will respectively be billed yearly, semi-yearly, quarterly or monthly, and shall be automatically renewed for one year, six months, three months or a month – until you decide to cancel your membership. Cancelled subscription will remain active for the duration of the period for which you have already paid. See Skycop Care Membership Terms and Conditions for more details. -
Can I purchase Skycop Care membership for a friend or family member?
Yes, you can! We have Skycop Care Family Membership designed specially for such cases. Choose "Family" on the purchase page and add up to 4 additional family members to your Family. Create as many families as you need. Family Membership could be purchased on a yearly, semi-yearly, quarterly or monthly subscription basis. -
I already have purchased Skycop Care membership when booking a holiday through my holiday agent. Am I still entitled to all of its benefits?
Yes, as Skycop Care membership can be purchased either directly from Skycop or through one of our partners. In the latter case all your flights are still covered by our service under the same conditions. -
I changed my mind after purchasing a yearly Skycop Care subscription. Can I cancel it and get my money back?
If you are not happy with your purchase, you can withdraw your subscription if you qualify as consumer pursuant to EU-consumer regulations. In such a case you can do so in 14 days from the purchase without the need to specify any reasons. To withdraw your membership and receive a full refund, you must contact us within a 14-day period from the purchase (preferably by sending an e-mail to support@skycop.com) and clearly stating your intention. -
Can I still withdraw my membership within a 14-day period if I already took a journey by plane?
Unfortunately, due to the nature of the service provided by Skycop Care, you can’t withdraw from Skycop Care membership if you have already been travelling on any flights covered by it.
Refer a Friend
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How does Skycop's referral programme work?
Skycop's referral programme allows you to share our services with your friends and earn rewards when they successfully claim compensation for cancelled, delayed or overbooked flight. -
Who can participate in the Skycop's referral programme? Is there a limit to the number of friends I can refer?
Anyone can participate in the referral programme as long as they are above 18 years of age. You can refer as many friends as you want and earn unlimited rewards for each successful referral. -
How can I invite my friends to Skycop's referral programme?
You can easily share your referral link or by offering your friends to scan your unique QR code, or choose any other convenient way on Skycop's website. You can access the referral program by clicking the link on the Skycop homepage. Once you click the link, follow the on-screen instructions to refer friends, family or colleagues and get unlimited rewards for each successful referral. -
What are the rewards for referring a friend to Skycop?
For each successful referral, you and your friends will receive a Mastercard gift card valued at EUR 50 each. You and your friend will be eligible for a reward only if the friend submits a claim via Skycop and that claim is approved by the airline. -
Can I refer someone who has already used Skycop's services in the past?
Claims that were submitted in the past are not eligible for the program. Both you and your friend will only be rewarded if they submit a successful claim through the referral program. -
How will I receive my reward for referring a friend to Skycop?
Your reward will be sent to your email address after your friend's claim is approved by the airline. -
Can I refer friends from different countries?
Yes, you can refer friends from any country as long as they have experienced a flight disruption that falls under EC 261/2004 compensation regulations. -
How long is the referral link valid for? Is there an expiration date for my rewards?
The referral link for Skycop's referral programme has no expiration date. After receiving the gift card, you should redeem it within 4 months using the link provided in the email. The funds will remain valid for 12 months after redemption. More information can be found HERE.