Finnair owes you a refund after canceling your flight? Here’s how to request
Finnair, the pride of Finnish aviation, has built a prestigious reputation in Europe as an airline synonymous with quality service and punctuality. However, behind this facade of regularity, the company faces unexpected challenges, particularly regarding flight cancellations and delays.
In such situations, passengers have the right to request a refund. According to European regulations, if the airline cancels a flight or does not leave the airport after five hours from the departure time, it must offer passengers the choice between a full refund of the ticket or rerouting to the intended destination. If the passenger chooses a refund, the company is required to process it promptly, usually within seven days of submitting the request.
Don’t just settle for a refund, claim what you’re owed from Finnair
In the world of air travel, passenger rights go far beyond simple reimbursement in the event of flight cancellation or delay. An often overlooked but crucial facet of these rights is the right to compensation. While reimbursement aims to compensate for the cost of the ticket, compensation aims to compensate for the inconvenience and losses suffered by passengers due to the disruption of their travel plans.
Amount of compensation allocated to passengers
Compensation comes into play when passengers experience significant inconvenience due to a flight cancellation or delay exceeding one hundred and twenty minutes on the shortest flights and crossing the two hundred and forty minute mark on the longest routes. long:
€250 on flights made on short journeys: No more than 1500km.
€400 on flights made on journeys of more than 1500km and less than 3500km.
600€ on flights serving distant destinations (Distance exceeding 3500km).
Depending on the regulations, passengers may be entitled to compensation of up to several hundred euros.
The conditions for obtaining compensation vary depending on national legislation and international regulations. In Europe, for example, Regulation CE 261/2004 establishes specific criteria in the event of a significant delay, cancellation or denied boarding. Generally, to be eligible, the flight must be operated by a European airline such as Finnair or depart from a European airport.
Claims process
This procedure generally involves providing details of the disrupted flight, the inconvenience suffered, and any supporting documentation. It is recommended to keep boarding passes, receipts, and all correspondence with the airline to facilitate processing of the file.
If the flight disruption results from exceptional circumstances
Although compensation is a valuable right in the event of travel disruption, there may be situations where this right is limited or even lost
Extraordinary circumstances include unexpected events such as extreme weather, security threats, or control tower issues. In these situations, airlines can invoke this clause to justify flight disruptions and, in some cases, deny compensation to passengers.
However, it is essential to note that the use of the force majeure clause must be transparently justified by air operators. Passengers have the right to request detailed explanations of the specific nature of the extraordinary event and how it directly influenced their flight.
The intervention of compensation professionals: A valuable asset
Claiming compensation from an airline can sometimes be a complex task, especially when the internal process seems confusing. In the case of Finnair, although it is generally receptive to requests for refunds and compensation, the complexity of the procedure can put off many passengers.
The Finnair complaints procedure may involve administrative steps, specific forms, and strict deadlines. Additionally, the airline’s response can sometimes be ambiguous or late, adding to the applicant’s uncertainty.
Using the services of legal experts specializing in air passenger rights can be a wise solution. These professionals have extensive knowledge of applicable laws and regulations, understand the intricacies of claims procedures, and are familiar with the tactics airlines can use to dispute claims.
Zero-risk legal assistance
One of the major advantages of hiring legal experts is that they generally work on a success-based fee basis. In other words, they only charge their fees if they manage to obtain compensation for the passenger.
This approach provides peace of mind to passengers as it eliminates the risk of unnecessary expenses should the claim be unsuccessful.