Airline EasyJet
EasyJet is a well-known British airline. It is one of Ryanair's main competitors in the low-cost flight market.
Like other low-cost airlines, EasyJet remains profitable by offering a minimal service. By default, your ticket covers your transport and allows you to bring a small cabin bag. For everything else, there are additional charges.
Therefore, the guarantees associated with your ticket are also limited.
However, EasyJet primarily operates within the European Community area. Most of its flights are therefore subject to European regulations on air passenger rights.
How to get a refund for a flight with EasyJet?
By default, EasyJet tickets are non-refundable. The low prices also mean limited guarantees.
However, in certain cases, you may be eligible for a full or partial refund of your tickets.
If you cancel your ticket within 24 hours of booking, you will receive a full refund. In the event of a serious illness preventing you from taking your flight, you may also be refunded. However, note that this is not automatic. The severity of the illness is at EasyJet's discretion.
In the event of a death, a refund is possible upon presentation of a death certificate. The deceased person could be yourself or any other person travelling on your booking.
EasyJet offers additional cancellation and travel interruption insurance. Finally, if you have a Visa Premier or a Gold Mastercard, you may be eligible for a refund of your ticket under certain conditions.
In some situations, European regulations provide for the right to a refund. This applies to cases of significant delay, flight cancellation, or overbooking as mentioned in Regulation (EC) No 261/2004.
Your rights in case of flight disruption with EasyJet
EasyJet is a British airline. Since Brexit, the United Kingdom is no longer covered by Regulation (EC) No 261/2004. However, UK authorities have retained an equivalent regulation in their national law, known as UK261.
Thus, although not all EasyJet flights are covered by this regulation, the rights it entails also exist for flights departing from the United Kingdom.
You are entitled to:
- Meals and drinks in case of extended delay
- An overnight hotel stay if your flight is postponed to the next day
- Two telephone calls
- A full refund if the delay exceeds 5 hours or if your flight has been cancelled or overbooked
Additionally, if EasyJet is found to be at fault, you may also be entitled to a fixed compensation under certain conditions.
Compensation amounts
Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 provides for compensation in cases of delay, cancellation, or denied boarding due to overbooking. The compensation is based on the following fixed scale:
· 250 € for a flight of less than 1500 km with more than 2 hours delay;
- 250 € for a flight of less than 1500 km with more than 2 hours delay
- 400 € for a non-EU flight of 1500 to 3500 km or an EU flight of more than 1500 km with more than 3 hours delay
- 600 € for a non-EU flight of more than 3500 km with more than 4 hours delay
Which flights are covered by Regulation (EC) No 261/2004?
Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 covers:
- Any flight departing from an airport in the European Union, Switzerland, Norway, or Iceland
- Any flight arriving at an airport in the European Union, Switzerland, Norway, or Iceland operated by an airline based in one of these states
EasyJet is a British airline. Therefore, it is not covered by the second scenario. However, the UK261 regulation guarantees you equivalent rights.
What to do in case of an airline strike?
Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 mentions strikes as part of "extraordinary circumstances". However, this does not include airline strikes. An airport employs other professions, such as air traffic controllers, baggage handlers...
If the strike is within the airline itself, the airline is responsible. In the event of a delay, flight cancellation, or overbooking due to this strike, compensation is therefore required.
EasyJet: compensation for a flight delay
In the event of a flight delay, the compensation system applies.
However, compensation is not automatic; it depends on the extent of the delay. If it remains below the durations set by European regulations, the airline owes you nothing.
EasyJet: claiming compensation for a cancelled flight
Cancellation means the complete removal of your flight. In this case, EasyJet will either create a new flight or rebook you on an existing one.
In all cases, the compensation scale provided by Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 applies.
If the delay remains within reasonable limits, reductions are possible on the compensation amounts. They decrease from:
- 250 to 125 € for a flight of less than 1500 km with less than 2 hours delay
- 400 to 200 € for a non-EU flight of 1500 to 3500 km or an EU flight of more than 1500 km with less than 3 hours delay
- 600 to 300 € for a non-EU flight of more than 3500 km with less than 4 hours delay
EasyJet: compensation for flight overbooking
Overbooking occurs when EasyJet books more passengers than there are seats available on the aircraft.
This can result in some passengers being denied boarding. If this happens to you, the airline is responsible, and you are entitled to compensation.
Compensation applies according to the same scale as for cancellations.
What to do in case of a flight issue with EasyJet?
If your flight is delayed or cancelled, you will be informed via airport displays or email alerts.
If EasyJet denies you boarding due to overbooking, unfortunately, you will only find out at boarding.
In any case, EasyJet remains your primary point of contact. We encourage you to rely on their ground staff. You can request:
- The reason for the incident
- The solutions the airline offers you
- Coverage of incurred expenses (meals, accommodation, phone calls)
- How to claim compensation
For the latter, wait until you arrive to assess the extent of the delay. You have at least two years to make a claim.
Flight disruption with EasyJet? Delayed can assist you
Even if you know your rights, asserting them is not always easy.
As specialists in air passenger rights, Delayed supports you in your claims. Have you experienced a flight delay, cancellation, or overbooking? Contact us and recover up to 600 € on your flight ticket.