What Are Your Rights If Your Flight Gets Disrupted Due To Bad Weather

If you are one of the many unfortunate people who had a flight cancelled today, we really feel for you. 

It looks as though there will be more flight cancellations and delays as the week goes on also and The Irish Times have put together a list of what rights you have if your plans have been disrupted by the bad weather. 

It's worth noting that if you have booked through a travel agent or tour operator, they will try their best to get you to your destination at no extra cost.

If it is booked through the airline and/or accommodation provider itself, then rules of flight compensation state that compensation - as governed by EU 261 regulation -  "stipulate levels of compensation and assistance to passengers in the event of flight cancellations, delays or denied boarding due to overbooking."

It also states that compensation of €250 to €600 is payable depending on flight distance, length of delay and reasons for cancellation. 

If your flight is cancelled, your airline is obliged to either offer you a re-route as close as possible to the original departure time (or a later date) or a refund of the unused ticket flight. 

You also might be entitled to compensation depending on when you were notified about the flight. 

Short haul = 1,500km and the delay must be greater than two hours.

Medium haul = 1,500km to 3,500km and the delay must be greater than three hours.

Long haul = 3500km+ and the delay must be greater than 4 hours.

If your flight is delayed by more than five hours, regardless of the length, you are entitled to a full refund. 

The list also gives information about accommodation and car hire and is worth having a look at if your travel plans have been badly affected by the weather. 

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