Airline Air Baltic
Founded in 1995, Air Baltic is a Latvian airline based in Riga.
It was established as a joint initiative between SAS Scandinavian Airlines and the Latvian State. Today, the latter is the almost exclusive shareholder of the airline.
Air Baltic operates as a low-cost airline. With additional bases in Tallinn and Vilnius, it serves the entire Baltic region. Primarily focused around the Baltic Sea, it connects mainly with Scandinavia, but also with the rest of Europe, North Africa (Morocco), and the Middle East (Turkey, Armenia, Lebanon, etc.).
Latvia is a Member State of the European Union, so Air Baltic is fully subject to European legislation.
We explain what this means for you.
Can you request a refund from Air Baltic?
Like most airlines, Air Baltic offers different fare options in Economy or Business class. Some allow for a refund, while others do not.
At the basic fare, an Air Baltic ticket is not refundable. However, by paying a higher fare, you can access refund options.
In Economy class, the Classic offer entitles you to a refund with a €50 fee. In Business class, the Business offer is fully refundable.
As an option, you can cancel your flight and receive a refund. This is provided in the form of a credit note.
These refund options apply if you decide to cancel your trip. However, some situations are the airline's responsibility.
The European regulation (EC) No. 261/2004 entitles you to a refund if your flight is delayed by more than 5 hours, cancelled, or if you are denied boarding due to overbooking.
Your rights in case of flight disruption with Air Baltic
A refund is not the only option provided by European regulations.
In the event of an incident, Air Baltic must take care of you until you reach your destination. This obligation for the airline ensures you a number of rights.
- rerouting in case of cancellation or overbooking
- meals and drinks in case of significant delay
- the right to a hotel stay if you have to wait until the next day to depart
- the right to two phone calls covered by the airline
This regulation also provides a system of compensation in case of significant delay. Compensation is subject to conditions:
- the airline must be responsible
- the delay must reach a certain threshold
The fixed compensations provided
The compensations provided are as follows:
- €250 for a flight of less than 1500 km with a delay of 2 hours or more
- €400 for an extra-community flight of 1500 to 3500 km or a community flight of more than 1500 km with a delay of 3 hours or more
- €600 for an extra-community flight of more than 3500 km with a delay of 4 hours or more
Which flights are covered by Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004?
Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004 applies to:
- any flight departing from an airport within the European Community area (including Norway, Switzerland, and Iceland)
- any flight to the European Community area operated by an airline based in this community area (including Norway, Switzerland, and Iceland)
Air Baltic is a Latvian airline. Therefore, it is subject to this latter point.
What to do in case of an airline strike with Air Baltic?
Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004 mentions "exceptional circumstances" where the airline is not required to compensate you.
A strike is one of these circumstances. A strike by air traffic controllers or baggage handlers is not the responsibility of Air Baltic.
However, if the strike is within the airline itself, it is indeed responsible. It must therefore compensate affected travellers.
Flight delay: what are your rights?
In case of a delay, compensation can be claimed after a certain duration. For a flight of less than 1500 km, it is due after a delay of two hours. The threshold is higher for longer flights.
Cancelled flight: Does Air Baltic have to compensate you?
A cancelled flight is simply removed. This means the airline must reroute you within a reasonable time.
Air Baltic must compensate you, regardless of the delay duration. However, if the delay is limited, your compensation will be reduced.
It will be reduced to:
- from €250 to €125 for a flight of less than 1500 km with less than 2 hours delay
- from €400 to €200 for an extra-community flight of 1500 to 3500 km or a community flight of more than 1500 km with less than 3 hours delay
- from €600 to €300 for an extra-community flight of more than 3500 km with less than 4 hours delay
Overbooked flight: what are your options with Air Baltic?
Overbooking occurs when an airline sells more tickets for a flight than there are seats available.
This practice is not illegal, but it is strictly regulated.
If Air Baltic denies you boarding due to overbooking, it must reroute you and compensate you under the same conditions as for a cancellation. In case of limited delay, the same reduction applies.
What to do in case of a flight issue with Air Baltic?
There are many potential incidents during air travel.
If your flight is delayed or cancelled, you are likely to be informed upon arrival at the terminal, or even before, via email.
However, if your flight is overbooked, you will only find out at boarding if you are denied entry.
In any case, Air Baltic remains your point of contact. The airline is best placed to inform you and respond to your claims. You can:
- find out the reason for the incident
- request assistance (meals, phone calls, accommodation, etc.)
- get information on compensation procedures
If you want to be compensated, keep all your travel documents and do not sign anything that waives your rights.
Depending on the length of your delay, you may or may not be eligible for compensation. You will need to wait until your arrival to start the process. Under French law, you have two years to initiate it.
Flight disruption with Air Baltic? Delayed can assist you with your claims
Despite European harmonisation of your rights, it is not always easy to enforce them.
The application varies from one country to another, and from one airline to another, it can be more or less straightforward.
If your Air Baltic flight was delayed or cancelled, or if the airline denied you boarding due to overbooking, you are eligible for compensation.
Still hesitant to start these procedures? Why not entrust them to professionals? Delayed, a specialist in air passenger rights, is here to help.
Contact us and claim up to €600 on your flight ticket.