Airline Aer Lingus
Aer Lingus is the flag carrier airline of the Republic of Ireland. Its name comes from the Irish Gaelic Aer Loingeas, meaning "air fleet". It was established in 1936 under the name Aer Lingus Teoranta.
It serves 70 destinations from Dublin, Shannon, Belfast and Cork. Operating in many European countries, including France, it also offers transatlantic flights to Canada and the United States, as well as to the Middle East.
As an Irish airline, Aer Lingus is subject to European law. Therefore, it is covered by European regulation (EC) No. 261/2004.
Aer Lingus and European regulation
Aer Lingus planes fly under the Irish flag. Ireland being a member state of the European Union, it applies EU law.
This includes Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004, which governs civil aviation in Europe. It establishes a number of rights for air travellers, along with obligations for airlines.
This regulation applies to:
- all flights departing from the European Community area (including Switzerland, Norway, and Iceland)
- flights to this area operated by an airline based there.
If your Aer Lingus flight departs from the Republic of Ireland, it is automatically covered, and if it goes there as well.
A special case: flights departing from or arriving at Belfast
Belfast Airport is a special case.
It is one of Aer Lingus's bases, but unlike Dublin, Cork, and Shannon, it is not in the Republic of Ireland.
Northern Ireland is still part of the United Kingdom. Since Brexit, the UK is no longer subject to Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004.
However, the United Kingdom has incorporated the entirety of this regulation into its national law. This is known as UK261.
So, if an Aer Lingus flight departs from Belfast, does it fall under Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004, UK261? Both? It all depends on where it is going.
It is operated by a European airline. Therefore, if the flight is to a European airport, both regulations apply. However, if you are flying from Belfast to a non-European airport, only UK261 will apply.
Your rights on an Aer Lingus flight
If you fly with Aer Lingus, you are departing either from the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland. Two different laws apply, but in both cases, you have the same rights, with a few minor differences.
The right to be taken to your destination
To board any flight, you must have valid documents and be on time for boarding. If you meet these two conditions, the airline must take you to your intended destination.
Even in the event of disruption, this obligation applies. If your flight is cancelled or if Aer Lingus has denied you boarding due to overbooking, they must offer you an alternative flight as soon as possible. The conditions must be the same:
- same departure and arrival airports
- same flight duration
- same class, although an upgrade may be offered as a goodwill gesture.
Coverage of your expenses in case of significant delay
If your flight is significantly delayed, it may incur expenses.
You may have an extra meal at the airport. The airline must cover this. They must also provide or reimburse you for drinks, within reasonable limits.
If you need to notify someone, you can request reimbursement for two phone calls.
Finally, if the delay requires you to stay overnight, the accommodation costs will also be covered by Aer Lingus.
A fixed compensation, subject to conditions
In the event of a disruption, you may also be eligible, subject to conditions, for a fixed compensation. Its amount and eligibility criteria are set by Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004.
In the event of a significant delay, you can claim compensation. This is not always due: no compensation is provided for delays of less than three hours. The amounts are as follows:
- €250 for a flight of less than 1500 km with a delay of 3 hours or more
- €400 for a non-EU flight between 1500 and 3500 km or an EU flight of more than 1500 km with a delay of 3 hours or more
- €600 for a non-EU flight of more than 3500 km with a delay of 4 hours or more.
If your flight is cancelled, there is no minimum delay. Compensation is possible from the outset. However, if the delay does not exceed certain limits, the compensation will be reduced. It decreases from:
- €250 to €125 for a flight of less than 1500 km with a delay of less than 2 hours
- €400 to €200 for a non-EU flight between 1500 and 3500 km or an EU flight of more than 1500 km with a delay of less than 3 hours
- €600 to €300 for a non-EU flight of more than 3500 km with a delay of less than 4 hours.
In the case of overbooking, if you are denied boarding, you are entitled to the same level of compensation as for a flight cancellation.
Exceptions to Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004
In certain cases, the airline will not be required to compensate you:
- if they have notified you at least 15 days in advance
- if they offer you a replacement flight at the same departure and arrival times
- in the event of extraordinary circumstances (strike, bad weather, situations posing a risk to crew and passengers).
A strike is considered an extraordinary circumstance, but this only applies to strikes by airport staff (air traffic controllers, baggage handlers…). If Aer Lingus staff are on strike, the airline is not exempt from compensating you.
Want to claim compensation from Aer Lingus? Delayed can help you with your claim
If you have experienced a flight delay, cancellation, or overbooking with Aer Lingus, you may be entitled to compensation.
But you will need to make a claim.
Does the process seem complicated or uncertain? Why not let someone handle it for you?
Delayed can assist you with your compensation claim. The claim is free, and Delayed will only take a commission if compensation is awarded. If you do not receive compensation, your claim will not cost you anything.
Don't hesitate: contact us and recover up to €600 on your flight ticket.