What to Do Immediately After a Flight Disruption
The sudden news that “Munich Airport is closed,” or your flight being delayed or cancelled, can be stressful. It’s important to stay calm and follow these steps to ensure your late departure gets compensated by the airline.
1. Confirm Why Your Flight Was Delayed
Hearing the announcement at Munich Airport is not enough. Ideally, you should obtain written confirmation of your flight delay with the reason. Check your email or airline app for such information, and take screenshots or otherwise save it. If such information isn’t available, approach the airline check-in counters or information desks at the airport and request written confirmation. It should specify the reasons for the flight cancellation, delay, or overbooking. This will be crucial later when you file a compensation claim with the airline.
2. Preserve Relevant Documents
Collect and save all travel documents, including boarding passes, tickets, booking confirmations, and receipts. It might also be useful to take photos of airport boards showing flight delays and to record your communications with airline staff. All this evidence might be essential when filing a flight complaint for a delay, as it proves your disrupted travel plans. It’s especially important to keep documents showing the financial loss you have incurred.
3. Claim Airport Care Services
Even in extraordinary circumstances, airlines are required to provide delayed flight passengers with airport care services. All major airports, including Munich Airport, offer such services, but you often need to request them. These services include communication options, such as Wi-Fi or phone calls, meals and drinks, and accommodation if an overnight stay near the airport becomes necessary. If the airline refuses to provide you with these services, be sure to save all receipts for bookings and transportation.
4. Don’t Give Up Your Rights to Compensation
It is important not to sign any documents that could waive your right to future compensation unless you fully understand the implications. Often, airlines may try to persuade passengers to accept services of much lower value in exchange for agreeing not to file a complaint later. While such practices are legal, they are ethically questionable. Take your time and consider your options. Remember, for flights departing from the UK, passengers have the right to claim compensation within 2 or 3 years from the date of the flight.