A delayed flight causes a host of issues that can lead to lots of questions from travelers. If a flight is delayed and you miss your connecting flight, are you reimbursed? If you have to spend a night in a hotel, does the airline pay for the room and boarding costs? Are you given a meal voucher when you have to wait for a new flight because of a delay? These are just a few questions to ask when an Air France flight is delayed.
Oftentimes there is a claims process associated with delayed flights. As a consumer, it is important for you to understand the delayed flight process from assistance provided to the claims process.
Understanding the Delay Flight Process
Air France is responsible for notifying all passengers of expected delays that will disrupt travel itineraries. Upon doing so, Air France provides a variety of options for travelers to ensure that everyone is accommodated accordingly during delays.
Air France provides timely updates on the status of flights through their flight tracker. If you find that your flight is delayed, Air France will provide delay assistance if your delay meets specific qualifications.
Delay Assistance
Air France provides delay assistance for flights that are delayed more than 2 hours after the scheduled departure time. Under delay assistance you are eligible for the following benefits:
- Hotel accommodations for when overnight stays are necessary as a result of the delay
- A meal or snack
- Phone calls through prepaid phone cards or the sending/receiving of 2 emails or faxes
If your flight is delayed for more than 5 hours, you have the option of being reimbursed for the unfinished portion of your journey. Likewise, you can also be reimbursed for the part of the journey already traveled if you plan to return to your first point of departure.
Delay Compensation
Compensation for delayed flights through Air France is available if your flights were delayed for at least 3 hours. Compensation is available in the following forms:
- Bank transfer
- Check
- Travel voucher
Delay compensation is not issued at the airport. Thus, you may need to go through a claim service, such as flightclaim.ca, to initiate the compensation process.
The amounts provided for compensation vary based on the type of compensation selected. Cash and bank transfer amounts will differ from travel voucher amounts. Also, you will be required to only choose one form of compensation. Thus, if you choose to be compensated via travel vouchers you forfeit any rights to cash compensation. Travel vouchers are also non-refundable. To learn more on your options when it comes to delay flights, you can reach out to a flight reclaim expert.
Please note that amounts for both cash/bank transfer compensation as well as travel vouchers vary based on the distance traveled. Flights within the EU of less of 1500 km are typically compensated at lower rates in comparison to non-EU flights of more than 3500 km.
Understanding the delay compensation provided by Air France allows you to receive payment for the inconvenience caused by delayed flights.
Filing Your Claim
The reimbursements associated with a delayed flight are completed through a claims process.
You should file your claim for delayed flight reimbursement as soon as possible to avoid any unnecessary delays in processing. It is preferable that you submit all information related to your claim within 21 days. However, you have up to 3 years to file a claim with the airline. If you need additional help to do so, you should seek help from flight claim experts.