Did the airline change your flight time? You can get coompensated even if the flight departed early!

Compensation for Early Flight: Passenger Rights

Traveling through the air can often be difficult. Thankfully, when airlines make mistakes, there are legal rights that protect the passenger. In particular, when flights depart early, passengers are often eligible for compensation.

Flight Cancellations Are Eligible For Compensation

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled that rescheduling a flight to depart one hour earlier than the original departure time should be considered a cancellation. This means that if a flight is changed to depart one hour earlier than the original departure time, passengers are entitled to the same compensation that is available when a flight is cancelled. In the AirHelp vs. Laudamotion case, the ECJ ruled that the airline had foisted the burden of excessive flight delay costs upon passengers by moving the flight time forward. The court found that the company had acted unethically. This ruling means that passengers who have had their flights changed to depart one hour earlier are entitled to the same compensation as if their flight had been cancelled.

What Kind Of Compensation Can You Get?

The kind of compensation that a passenger might be entitled to in the case of a flight being cancelled or changed depends on the distance of the flight and the length of the delay. Generally, if the flight is delayed for more than three hours, then the passenger is entitled to a full refund on their ticket, which includes the cost of their return journey as well. Furthermore, for certain kinds of flights, passengers may be entitled to further compensation. For example, for EU flights of up to 1,500 km, passengers may be entitled to compensation of €250 per passenger. For flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km, the compensation is €400 per passenger. If the flight is more than 3,500 km, then the compensation is €600 per passenger.

Final Thoughts

When airlines change flight times to depart earlier than the original departure time, passengers are eligible to receive the same compensation as they would in the case of flight cancellation. This compensation can range from a full refund of the ticket to an additional payment depending on the length of the journey and the amount of delay. Passengers should be aware of their rights in these situations so that they can seek to receive the compensation that they are entitled to.

Flight compensation is the financial reimbursement that you may be eligible to receive from the airline if your flight is delayed, cancelled, or you’re denied boarding. We’ve handpicked the Top 5 flight claim companies to assist you in securing the compensation you deserve. Select one now and take the first step towards your claim.