Flight delays and cancellations do occur, andthere is also nothing that travelers can do to avoid them.
Even though Southwest Airlines is not a Europeanairline, you might be entitled to demand flight compensation for flightsoriginating from within the EU. This is because of the EC 261 legislation.
Does Southwest Compensate for Cancelled Flights? All flights originating from an EU airport are covered under thisrule, which means you can sue Southwest Airlines for compensation if yourflight is delayed, canceled, or overbooked. Unfortunately, though departures are secured, arrivals are not. You are not protected by EC 261 if your Southwest Airlines flight arrives in the EU from an airport outside of the EU.
Obtaining Compensation for a Southwest AirlinesFlight Delay
It's no fun to be delayed on a flight. Thestress, the confusion, and the long hours spent waiting at the airport can beincredibly aggravating, and it can also cause you to miss out on pre-plannedtrips, festivals, and other time-sensitive engagements while you're there.
If you are departing from an EU airport and aredelayed by more than 3 hours, you are generally liable for SouthwestAirlines Flight Delay Compensation. You may be eligible for up to $700 inreimbursement, depending on the duration of the delay and the distancetraveled.
You are also entitled to free meals,refreshments, and a hotel room during longer delays, as well as freetransportation to and from the airport.
Not all Southwest Airlines flight delays,however, are available for reimbursement. The term "extraordinarycircumstances" refers to situations such as bad weather, health, safety,or security risks, as well as airport staff strikes and political unrest, Southwest Airlines which have no choice but to postpone the flight in these situations to ensure the safety of its passengers.
Obtaining Compensation for a Canceled SouthwestAirlines Flight
You could be eligible for up to $700 in Southwest Airlines Canceled Flight Compensation if your flight wascancelled less than 14 days before it was scheduled to depart and the airlinewas found to be at fault. The flight had to leave from a European Union airport as well. In the table below, you will see what is hidden.
Keep all of your travel records if you think youcould be eligible for Southwest Airlines flight cancellation reimbursement.Remember that you have a right to treatment, which ensures that the airline is responsible for providing you with necessary food, refreshments, and lodgings as you wait for your replacement flights.
If you want to fly, you are entitled to a freesubstitute flight to your final destination. Otherwise, you have the option ofrequesting a refund.
There are severalexceptions to accepting compensation: if your replacement flight arrives at thesame time as your original flight, Southwest Airlines is not required to compensate you. You are only compensated for the time you have lost.
