Flybe flight cancellation refund. Flybe flight cancellation compensation.
What is the difference between the two? In which cases are you entitled to compensation, and in which — to refund? Can you receive both, the refund and compensation? The short answer is: yes, in some situations you can. If your flight is cancelled due to the airline’s fault, you may be entitled to both — a full refund from Flybe and cancellation compensation up to €600.
It applies to most of its flights to and from the EU, and the UK.
There are two ways you can claim flight cancellation compensation.
1. Flybe Flight Cancellation Compensation: EU / UK Regulations
What happens if your Flybe flight is cancelled?
Will you be provided with a free ticket for the next available flight? Can you get a full refund if the new flight doesn’t meet your needs? In which cases are you entitled to flight cancellation compensation?
According to EU law, flight cancellation procedures are very specific.
If you are notified of the cancellation 7 – 14 days before the scheduled time of departure:
- You choose a new flight offered by your airline, which departs not more than 2 hours before the original departure time and you reach your destination less than 4 hours after the original arrival time. In this situation you are not entitled to compensation.
- In other situations you are entitled to compensation.
If you are notified of the cancellation less than 7 days before the scheduled time of departure:
- You choose a new flight offered by your airline, which departs not more than 1 hour before the original departure time and you reach your destination less than 2 hours after the original arrival time. In this situation you are not entitled to compensation.
- In other situations you are entitled to compensation.
Could you be entitled to Flybe flight cancellation compensation?
Yes, as long as the following conditions are met:
- Cancellation must be due to the fault of Flybe;
- Flight cancelled last-minute (not earlier than 14 days before departure);
- Flight must be to/from/within the EU or the UK.
Flybe is a British airline. Even though Flybe is not considered a EU airline, you still can get compensation if the disrupted flight is departing from the UK or a third country. In this case, you are protected under the UK law. All thanks to the Regulation UK 261 which is almost identical to the EU Regulation (EC No 261/2004).
By Europe and EU here on this page (and on this website in general) we mean all EU Member States, the United Kingdom (UK), Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion, Mayotte, Saint Martin (French Antilles), the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.
1.1 Extraordinary Circumstances
Sometimes reasons for flight cancellations are outside of the airline’s control.
Situations like these are known as extraordinary circumstances. In such cases, you aren’t entitled to flight cancellation compensation no matter how last-minute is the cancellation.
If your flight is cancelled due to bad weather, natural disaster, nationwide strike, terrorism threat or other security issues at the airport, you can’t get flight cancellation compensation. All of these events are out of the airline’s control. According to the EU and UK regulations, airlines don’t have to compensate passengers if a flight is delayed or cancelled due to extraordinary circumstances.
1.2 Double Check What You Are Told
However, make sure to double check what you’re told.
Because not always airlines are telling you the truth.
To avoid paying compensation, airlines often decline compensation claims by telling the wrong reasons for delays or cancellations. If you are entitled to compensation, the airline might tell you otherwise. Unfortunately, this is very common. And Flybe is not an exception.
You can either be prepared for that, and always ask for proof, or hand over your case to a flight compensation company. Our partners offer such services.
Just fill in our claim form, and they will check it on your behalf.
1.3 Right to Care
Your Flybe flight is cancelled last-minute.
Now you have to wait at the airport for your new flight.
In this case you have a right to receive care from the airline. As long as the waiting time at the airport is at least 3 hours. What does it mean for you?
Flybe must offer you free meals and drinks in a reasonable relation to the waiting time, two free phone calls, e-mails or faxes. If your new flight is leaving only on the next day, a free hotel stay (including free transfer) must be offered.
It doesn’t affect your chances of getting compensation.
1.4 Flybe Flight Cancellation Refund, Flybe Refund Policy
And again, the rules are very specific.
If your Flybe flight is cancelled, you can choose between a new flight or a full refund. These are the rules in the EU/UK. And these rules aren’t affected by Flybe internal policies (Flybe refund policy).
If you choose the refund, it has to be paid within 7 days to your bank account.
It doesn’t matter what is the reason for cancellation.
You don’t have to agree to a Flybe voucher refund.
Here’s an excerpt from the Regulation (EC) No 261/2004:
Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, Article 5
Cancellation
In case of cancellation of a flight, the passengers concerned shall: (a) be offered assistance by the operating air carrier in accordance with Article 8.
Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, Article 8
Right to reimbursement or re-routing
Where reference is made to this Article, passengers shall be offered the choice between: (a) – reimbursement within seven days (b) re-routing, under comparable transport conditions, to their final destination at the earliest opportunity.
Regulation UK261 is very similar to the Regulation (EC) No 261/2004. In the UK, you also have the right to choose between a new flight or full refund.
The regulations don’t cover cases when you cancel your Flybe flight.
2. How to Claim Flybe Compensation?
There are two ways how you can claim Flybe flight cancellation compensation.
One of them is more time consuming, the other – easier.
One of the options is to contact Flybe directly. Contact Flybe customer support center using the contact form on their website. Request compensation for cancellation. Refer to Regulation UK261 or Regulation (EC) No 261/2004.If you are claiming compensation yourself, be prepared that it may take months, and several reminder emails, until you receive your money.
You can also take the easiest path — legal representation.
In this case everything is done by a flight compensation company. All you have to do is to fill in one form. You register your Flybe compensation claim once, and the rest will be done by the legal office. Our partners offer such services.
When choosing this option, here is all you will have to do:
And that’s it — the rest is handled by professionals.
* Your boarding pass and passport or ID copy.
2.1 How Long Does It Take?
If everything goes well — 2 to 3 months.
2 to 3 months from the moment you file the claim until your Flybe flight cancellation compensation is transferred to your bank account. Keep in mind that in some situations the airline might refuse to cooperate, and thus it might be necessary to take your case to a national enforcement body or court. This might add at least a couple of months to the process.
3. How Much Can You Claim?
The compensation amount in the EU/UK go up to €600 per person.
Here is how you can calculate your Flybe compensation:
When your destination is within the EU/UK:
€250
If the distance of your flight is
up to 1,500 km
€400
If the distance of your flight is between 1,500 – 3,500 km
When your destination is outside the EU/UK:
€250
If the distance of your flight is
up to 1,500 km
€400
If the distance of your flight is between 1,500 – 3,500 km
€600
If the distance of your flight is more than 3,500 km
There’s one exception. When the flight distance is 3500+ kilometres and you reach your destination 3 to 4 hours later than planned, you are entitled only to 50% of the compensation amount (that means €300, not €600).
3.1 Flybe Voucher Refund or Cash?
What if you are offered a voucher instead of compensation?
You don’t have to accept Flybe compensation voucher. Airline compensation and refunds have to be paid in cash or by bank transfer. It applies to both EU and UK flights.
4. What Happens If a Flight Is Cancelled?
What to do if your Flybe flight is cancelled?
First of all, wait for the email from Flybe.
If you have received the email, check it out to see what information does it include. Most probably, it will have all the information you need. What if it’s a very last minute cancellation? What if you are already at the airport when you find out about the cancellation? Follow your Flybe flight information and wait for the announcement from the airline. It will come soon.
In most cases, you’ll be given a choice between a new flight and full refund. If you choose a refund, take into account that you won’t receive it right away. Usually the refunds are made within 7 days.
Keep in mind that there are situations when Flybe also has to pay compensation. In case of flight cancellation, compensation has to be paid when the flight is cancelled less than 2 weeks before departure date, and it is due to the airline’s fault.
4.1 Connecting Flights
Do you need to be on time for another flight?
Is your Flybe flight cancelled, but you have another flight to catch?
Then it’s your responsibility. Unlike it is with airline protected connecting flights, self transfers are not protected by the airline. You see, Flybe doesn’t sell airline protected connecting flights. So, your only option is to make your connection yourself, by booking two or more consecutive Flybe flights. If you miss your connection, you will have to deal with the consequences yourself and book a new flight. A travel insurance that covers trip interruptions and changes may cover the costs.
Flybe Flight Cancellation Compensation and Refund: FAQ
Can I get compensation if my flight ticket was very cheap?
Yes.
The price of the ticket doesn’t matter. Because you are compensated for the inconvenience. If you are entitled to €600 compensation, you will get €600, even if your ticket was very cheap. It doesn’t matter, if the ticket cost €5, €50 or €500. If you are entitled to compensation, you can get it.
Can I claim compensation even if I don’t have travel insurance?
Yes, absolutely.
According to the Regulation EC 261/2004 (and Regulation UK261), you can claim compensation even if you don’t have insurance.
You don’t have to provide insurance papers when claiming compensation.
Can my kid/baby get compensation from Flybe?
Yes.
The age of the passenger doesn’t matter. Kids and babies can get compensation, too. Even infants with a special infant ticket. If you are entitled to compensation, your child/baby will be too. Your child/baby will get the same amount as you.
These are the laws in the EU and UK.
Can I claim compensation for my friend, relative or family member?
Yes, you can.
Even if you weren’t on that flight yourself.
Ask your friend or family member to provide you with their boarding pass and passport copy. Also they will have to sign any documents Flybe may ask to sign. If you decide to work with a flight compensation company, there’s only one document to sign.
How far back can I claim compensation?
It depends on the laws of the country.
In many countries in Europe, it is possible to claim compensation for old flights too. If your flight was 2 or 3 years ago, it’s possible you still might be able to claim compensation for that flight. However, for the best results, we would recommend you to make a claim as soon as you return from your trip.
What to do if Flybe is refusing to pay compensation?
Flybe is refusing to pay compensation even though you are entitled to it.
What can you do? There are two ways how you can proceed. If you don’t want to deal with this anymore, the best way is to hand your case over to a flight compensation company for them to finish the process.
Alternatively, you may contact the respective national enforcement body and ask them to help solve your case. There are national enforcement bodies in all the EU Member states. If your flight departed from a third country, contact the NEB of your destination country.
Flybe Refund
If my flight is cancelled, can I get a refund instead of a new flight?
Most likely, yes.
According to the EU/UK regulations, you can get either a new flight or refund. If you don’t wish to travel anymore, or the new replacement flight doesn’t fit your travel plans, you can ask for a refund.
EU – Non-EU Flights, Regulation UK261, Tourists
I’m flying to the EU from a country outside the EU. Can I get compensation?
If you’re flying with Flybe then yes, you can.
In case of Flybe, you are protected under the UK and EU laws. Even if your flight is outside the EU/UK, you are still protected.
I’m flying from the EU to a country outside the EU. Can I get compensation?
With Flybe you can.
I am not a EU/UK citizen. Can I get compensation?
Yes.
The UK Regulation UK261 and Regulation 261/2004 protect all passengers, no matter the nationality.
Other Situations
Flybe provided me with a free hotel room and a free flight to my destination. Can I still get compensation?
Yes.
You are entitled to both right to care and a new flight to your destination.
Plus, if you are entitled to it, to compensation.
Flybe took me to my destination. Can I still get compensated?
You might.
If you arrived at least 3 hours later than scheduled, and the disruption was due to the fault of the airline, you might get compensation for your disrupted flight.
Even if you were given a new ticket to your destination, and received a free hotel stay, you are still entitled to compensation.
What is your experience? Have you ever received Flybe flight cancellation compensation? Do you still have questions about Flybe compensation claim procedures and policies? Ask in the comments.