Airline HOP!

HOP! Also known as Air France Hop, it is a subsidiary of Air France created in 2013. It was formed from the merger of three regional subsidiaries: Brit’Air, Régional, and Airlinair.

Smaller than its parent company, this French airline operates 180 daily flights, mainly domestic, European, and to North Africa. It also aims to be Air France's response to foreign low-cost carriers.

It primarily handles regional traffic. Therefore, most of its flights fall under the European regulation.

Want to know your rights in case of an incident with HOP!? We discuss it here.

hop airline plane at the airport

How to get a refund for a flight with HOP!?

HOP! operates in a unique way. Although it is a separate entity from Air France, it does not have its own ticketing service.

Air France, the parent company, handles this. The fare conditions, including the terms of refunds, are therefore managed by Air France.

Most HOP! flight tickets are not refundable. There is one exception: if you opt for the Flex offer. However, its price can quickly double compared to the Light offer.

Air France offers you a cancellation insurance, the cost of which may vary. Among other things, you benefit from a Missed Flight guarantee.

These solutions can be beneficial if you miss your flight or have an unforeseen event.

However, certain situations are governed by law and entitle you to a refund, regardless of circumstances.

If you are denied boarding due to overbooking, if your flight is cancelled or if it is delayed by more than five hours, a refund is required.

This is stipulated by a European regulatory framework: Regulation (EC) No 261/2004.

Your rights in case of flight disruption with HOP!

These three situations, common for air travellers, hold airlines accountable and guarantee certain rights to passengers.

But a refund is not the only option.

HOP! must take care of you until your arrival. In case of disruption, this includes:

  • re-routing in case of cancellation or overbooking
  • meals and drinks in case of significant delay
  • the right to a hotel stay if you need to wait until the next day to depart
  • the right to two phone calls covered by the airline

The amount of compensation allowed

Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 also provides for a flat-rate compensation based on the following:

  • €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.

There are three cases where compensation is not due:

  • if the airline informed you at least 15 days in advance
  • in case of re-routing with departure and arrival at the same times
  • in case of extraordinary circumstances (strike, bad weather, risk to passengers and crew)

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)

Hop! is a subsidiary of Air France and itself a French airline. Therefore, it is covered by the second point. All the flights it operates depart from or arrive at a European airport.

which hop flights are covered by EC Regulation 261/2004

What to do in case of a strike by HOP! airline?

A strike is considered an extraordinary circumstance that exempts the airline from compensating you.

If the airline's staff is on strike, it is an exception.

The airline is not responsible for strikes by air traffic controllers or baggage handlers. However, it is if it involves its own staff.

In the event of a strike by its staff, HOP! will indeed have to compensate you.

HOP!: compensation for a flight delay

If HOP! is not exempt from compensating you, you will be compensated according to the schedule provided by Regulation (EC) No 261/2004.

This regulation sets thresholds from which you are entitled to compensation. If your delay is less than the specified durations, no compensation is due.

For delays of less than two hours, you are not entitled to any compensation.

HOP!: claiming compensation for a cancelled flight

A cancelled flight is different from a delayed flight. You are entitled to compensation, even with a minor delay. However, if the delay remains within certain limits, HOP! will compensate you with a reduction.

Thus, it will be reduced from:

  • 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

HOP!: compensation for overbooking

If HOP! has denied you boarding due to overbooking, you are entitled to compensation. In this specific case, you are guaranteed to receive it:

  • because overbooking affects fewer passengers than a cancellation or delay
  • because HOP! cannot contest its responsibility

The compensation schedule is the same as in the case of flight cancellation, with the same reduction for minor delays.

What to do in case of a problem with a HOP! flight?

There are different types of issues you may encounter during a flight, with HOP! or another airline. If your flight is delayed or cancelled, you will usually find out through the terminal displays. Or perhaps HOP! will have informed you by email during the day.

If HOP! has overbooked your flight, you will only know if the airline denies you boarding, thus at the last minute.

But in any case, HOP! is obliged to take care of you until your arrival. It is also best placed to inform you. Therefore, you can ask them for:

  • the reason for the incident
  • assistance in case of additional expenses (meals, accommodation, phone calls)
  • information on re-routing solutions
  • guidance on how to claim compensation

You will need to request the latter after your arrival, depending on the extent of the delay you have experienced.

The HOP! website is mainly institutional. Therefore, it is best to seek information from the airline's ground staff.

A flight disruption with HOP!? Delayed assists you with your claims

Obtaining compensation is not always straightforward, knowing whom to ask or within what timeframe. You may not always be aware of your rights either.

Need more clarity? Delayed, a specialist in air passenger rights, supports you in your claims.

Contact us and claim up to €600 on your flight ticket.