Why Didn’t Anyone Tell Me?!

If you’ve ever shown up at the airport only to find your flight departure time-shifted, or worse, the flight is cancelled,  a thought probably crossed your mind: Why didn’t anyone tell me? Well, they might have… but if you’ve disabled your airline notifications or unsubscribed from those emails, you might have missed this crucial information. It will be very easy for the airline to prove that the email was sent on time to the specified email address, which is a piece of evidence strong enough for a claim to be rejected or even for filing a lawsuit.

Let’s throw another layer of confusion into the mix: third-party booking platforms. Websites like Kiwi, eDreams, and others make it super easy to snag cheap flights, but here’s the catch – airlines often send crucial updates directly to those websites and not to you. Unless these platforms feel generous and forward emails containing any important news, you might miss out on key information.

I want to be clear that this is in no way an anti-advertisement. It is perfectly fine if you collect loyalty points when booking via those websites, prefer the structure of these services, or your company buy flight tickets for its employees using these platforms. The most important thing is to read through all the information you may need to know before you fly. 

Why is this important? If the airline notifies you at least 14 days before your flight of its cancellation, your claim will be rejected because, under Regulation EC261/2004, they’ve met the notification deadline. But if it’s less than 14 days, you might be eligible for compensation.

Speaking of which, let me share a quick story. Finnair recently changed my flight departure time by a whopping 10 minutes. Guess what? I received an SMS, an email, and a notification in my airline app profile – all for ten minutes. But it’s better to be bombarded by messages of any changes than to miss it, which can ruin any trip. 

The Ryanair Update You Might Have Missed

Speaking of updates, Ryanair has introduced a new Verification Hub. Have you checked it out yet? No? Well, that’s part of the problem. Airlines roll out important changes, and not all passengers stay in the loop.

Ryanair’s Verification Hub is all about streamlining the ID verification process, which can save you time (and stress) at the airport. But if you’re unaware because you haven’t enabled notifications or checked their airline’s website, you might face unexpected hiccups during the check-in process.

Did you know about KLM’s Name Change Policy? A recent pop-up on their website notified that KLM allows free name corrections before departure. This gives passengers the flexibility to fix minor booking errors. Just make sure to double-check your details when booking and correct any mistakes promptly. More information can be found here.  

Always check airline websites and app notifications before planning your trip! Airlines often update their routes or even cancel flights altogether. For example, AirBaltic recently cancelled some of its summer flights. Due to the tense global situation, certain routes might be suspended temporarily, but after evaluating costs, airlines sometimes remove them permanently. These updates are usually posted on their official websites. Imagine you’ve flown the same route multiple times, assuming it’s always available. You plan your entire trip without double-checking the hotels booked, activities planned, and itinerary set when suddenly, a surprise! The flight doesn’t exist anymore. To avoid such unpleasant stress-causing moments, make it a habit to check for the latest updates directly from the airline. It’s a small step that can save you a lot of hassle.

Airline emails aren’t always bad news! Besides updates on flights, they often include special offers, travel deals, and inspiration for your next adventure. You might open an email expecting the usual routine, and instead, you discover a tempting discount to a destination you’ve never considered. That spontaneous deal could be the spark for your next holiday plan. So, don’t ignore those notifications, as they might lead you to your new favourite getaway spot!

Tips to Stay in the Loop

1. Enable Notifications: Go to your airline app settings and make sure notifications are ON.
2. Check Your Spam Folder: Sometimes, important emails get cosy with junk mail. Give it a peek occasionally.
3. Book Directly When Possible: Fewer middlemen mean fewer missed updates.
4. Double-check Contact Info: Ensure your email and phone number are up to date when booking a flight.
5. Visit the Airline’s Website: I especially recommend doing that close to your travel date. Airlines post updates there, too.

Final Boarding Call

Staying informed is key in a world where flights can change at any moment. Don’t let a missed notification turn your dream vacation into an airport nightmare. Keep those updates coming, stay alert, and remember that sometimes, the difference between making your flight and missing it is as simple as checking your phone. 

However, if your flight is cancelled, delayed for more than 3 hours, or significantly postponed, don’t stress – reach out to us at Skycop.com. We’re here to help you claim what you’re entitled to.