Last-Minute Flight Cancellation: Your Rights

Was your LOT flight cancelled last minute?

Flight cancellations can be exceptionally annoying, as they disrupt travel plans, especially when you have other flights or train/bus journeys ahead of you. However, the silver lining is that LOT’s flight cancellation policy, along with Europe’s regulations, safeguards passengers in case of flight cancellation. So if LOT cancels your flight, they are responsible for taking care of you and finding an appropriate solution.

1. LOT Flight Cancellation: Last-Minute Flight Cancellation

LOT is responsible for taking care of you if they cancel your flight.

Here’s what you need to know:

1. If you are stranded at the airport because of the last-minute flight cancellation, as a passenger, you have a right care from LOT, which may include a coupon for a free meal or free hotel accommodation and transfer, in case of a long wait at the airport.
2. If you decide not to take the new flight provided by LOT, you can get a full refund, either as a bank transfer or a refundable LOT voucher.
3. If LOT cancels your flight due to their fault up to 2 weeks before departure, you can claim flight cancellation compensation from LOT.

Are you going to miss a connecting flight due to last-minute flight cancellation?

If your connecting flight is affected by a cancellation, it’s important to know your rights. You are have a right to care since you are stranded at the airport, and LOT must provide a free alternative connecting flight.

Additionally, you may also be eligible for compensation. For more information on LOT missed connection compensation, please refer to our guide. The compensation rules are similar to those for flight delays. If you arrive 3+ hours later than scheduled, you may be entitled to compensation. Keep in mind that in case of connecting flight, you destination is the final destination. Calculate the delay when you arrive at your final destination.

It’s worth noting that these laws apply to all flights with LOT to and from Europe.

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.

2. What to Do if Your Flight Is Cancelled Last-Minute?

If your flight is cancelled at the last minute, the necessary steps to take will vary depending on your current location. If you are en route to the airport, or if you are at home, will determine what actions you need to take next.

2.1 If You Are Still at Home or Hotel

If you are still at your home or hotel, it is advisable to stay put for the time being.

Contact LOT customer service to determine your next steps as they will provide assistance.

You will be rebooked on a new flight, and the representatives will inform you of the available flight options. However, it is possible that your new flight will depart on the following day.

In the event that the flight cancellation was due to extraordinary circumstances, you are entitled to a free alternative flight to your destination or a refund, if preferred. If the cancellation was the airline’s fault, you may also be eligible for flight cancellation compensation.

2.2 If You Are Already at the Airport

If you find yourself at the airport and your flight has been cancelled, avoid proceeding through airport security. Instead, take the following steps:

• Connect with LOT representatives to learn about new flight options. They will provide you with a new boarding pass and further instructions. Remember that you are eligible for care while you wait for your new flight.
• If your replacement flight is scheduled for the next day, a complimentary hotel stay and meals must be provided.
• You will need to complete the check-in process again and, if you have checked luggage, check it in once more and pass through passport control.

If you have already cleared security, try to return to the landside (public access) area of the airport.

Be sure to contact LOT representatives as soon as possible to receive assistance.

3. LOT Flight Cancellation Compensation

If your flight gets cancelled less than two weeks before the scheduled departure date, it is considered a last-minute cancellation. In such cases you may be entitled to compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004.

Here are the rules.

Your flight is cancelled 7 – 14 days before the scheduled time of departure:

• You choose a new flight offered by LOT, 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.

Your flight is cancelled less than 7 days before the scheduled time of departure:

• You choose a new flight offered by LOT, 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.

Conditions for claiming compensation for cancelled flights:

• The flight must have been cancelled due to the fault of the airline.
• The flight must be departing from, arriving in, or within Europe.
• The cancellation must have occurred less than two weeks before the scheduled departure date.

Read more: LOT Flight Cancellation Compensation

4. LOT Polish Airlines Flight Cancellation Refund

Should a LOT flight face cancellation, you are entitled to either a rescheduled flight to your intended destination or a full refund. You may choose to receive your refund either through your bank account or as a LOT voucher, depending on your personal circumstances and future travel plans.

You don’t have to accept a voucher if you don’t want it.

The refund must be processed within 7 days.

It’s crucial to note that the right to compensation and the right to a refund are two separate entitlements under UK/EU flight compensation regulations. Therefore, even if you opt for a refund, you may still be eligible for compensation, depending on the specifics of the flight cancellation.

4.1 What Happens If You Cancel a Flight?

If you, as the passenger, choose to cancel your flight, the refund conditions vary. The refund policy of LOT is determined by the type of ticket you have purchased.

Fully-flexible tickets typically offer refunds, while low-cost, non-flexible tickets might not. It’s always recommended to check the specific terms attached to your ticket or contact LOT’s customer service for further clarification. If your travel insurance covers cancellations, you might be able to claim a refund through your insurance provider.

5. How to Claim LOT Flight Compensation? LOT Refund?

To get a refund for a LOT last-minute flight cancellation, click here.

For more information, visit the website of LOT.

Compensation for a cancelled flight from LOT can be obtained by filing a claim. You can do this by contacting their customer service or by using their website. It is important to note that accepting travel vouchers is not mandatory, as you are entitled to compensation in the form of a direct payment into your bank account. The amount of compensation you receive will depend on the distance of your flight. The compensation can range from 250 to 600 euros.

If you want to avoid any hassle, consider working with a flight compensation company.

This option allows professionals to handle everything on your behalf, from making the claim to completing the process.

Read more:

• Your LOT Compensation Claim Is Rejected. What’s Next?
• Why Is Your LOT Refund Taking So Long and What Can You Do?

Have you ever experience a last-minute flight cancellation? How did the airline solve this? Do you still have questions about LOT compensation policies? Ask in the comments.