There are times when aircraft simply cannot take off. Safety always comes first, and bad weather is one of the most common reasons flights are cancelled and delayed. Severe weather conditions can pose a serious risk to passengers, crew, and the aircraft itself — leaving airlines with no choice but to ground flights.
But what does this mean for you as a passenger? If you’ve experienced a flight cancellation due to bad weather, your plans may have been completely disrupted. You might have missed connecting flights, lost hotel bookings, or been stranded far from your destination. In situations like these, many travelers wonder whether compensation for flight cancellation due to weather is possible — and what their rights actually are.
So, are you entitled to compensation if flight cancelled due to weather?
Check your compensation online.
What Is Bad Weather?
Adverse weather conditions (simply put, bad weather) refer to severe, unexpected, or unseasonal weather that can make flying unsafe. In commercial aviation, this includes any weather situation where safe takeoff, landing, or flight operations cannot be guaranteed.
These conditions can range from winter storms to extreme heat and other severe weather events. Common examples of adverse weather that may disrupt flights include:
- Thick fog
- Heavy rain or downpours
- Thunderstorms
- Severe storms
- Strong crosswinds
- Sandstorms
When such conditions occur, airlines may delay or cancel flights to protect passengers, crew, and aircraft.
LOT Compensation for Flight Cancellation Due to Weather
In most cases, you won’t be entitled to compensation for flight cancellation due to weather, as weather-related disruptions are generally considered outside the airline’s control.
However, “most cases” doesn’t mean all — and it’s often worth taking a closer look. Airlines sometimes cite severe weather as a reason to avoid paying compensation, even when conditions may not truly qualify as extraordinary. In reality, genuine weather-related cancellations are less common than some airlines suggest.
So what if the weather wasn’t as severe as claimed?
For example, sub-zero temperatures during winter in Europe are not extraordinary. Cold weather is expected, and airlines are responsible for preparing their aircraft accordingly — including having proper de-icing procedures in place. If a flight is cancelled or delayed due to cold temperatures alone, compensation may still be due.
It’s also important to check what’s happening at the airport overall.
- If many flights are cancelled or grounded due to weather, it likely indicates serious conditions, and compensation may not apply.
- If your flight is one of the few — or the only — cancellation, it may be worth submitting a compensation claim, as the cause may not truly be weather-related.
In short, while compensation for weather-related cancellations is limited, verifying the facts can make all the difference.
The same applies to compensation for flight delays due to weather.
Read more:
Check your compensation online.
Flight Cancelled Due to Weather? What Happens Now?
Your flight has been cancelled due to bad weather. What rights do you have?
What happens next, and what should you do when you receive the cancellation notice?
If You’re Still at Home or Staying at a Hotel
You may first learn about the cancellation through an email from LOT. If so, read the message carefully — it usually explains what steps to take next. If you haven’t received any notification, contact the airline directly as soon as possible.
Under EU law, LOT must offer you either a replacement flight to your destination or a full refund, even when the cancellation is caused by extraordinary circumstances such as bad weather. In every case, you have the right to be rerouted or to receive your money back, regardless of whether the cancellation was within the airline’s control.
If your schedule is very tight, you may want to consider alternative travel options. In that situation, requesting a refund and making your own arrangements could be the most practical choice.
Keep in mind that compensation for flight cancellation due to weather is not payable because bad weather is an extraordinary circumstance.
If You’re Already at the Airport
If you learn that your flight has been cancelled, do not proceed through airport security. Even if the airline plans to operate a replacement flight later, you will still need to check in again, so it’s best to wait for further instructions from the airline.
Flight cancellations caused by bad weather are considered extraordinary circumstances, meaning they are outside the airline’s control. However, passengers in the EU are still protected under EU law.
First, the airline must offer you either a new ticket to your final destination or a full refund. Even when bad weather is the cause, the airline is still responsible for getting you to your destination once conditions are safe to fly again. If you prefer not to travel, you can choose a refund instead.
If you have to wait, you are entitled to the right to care. Under Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, you have this right — regardless of who is responsible for the disruption. For flight delay/flight cancellation due to bad weather, you have the same right to care as you would in cases caused by technical or operational issues.
This means LOT must provide, free of charge:
- Meals and refreshments appropriate to the waiting time
- Hotel accommodation if an overnight stay is required
- Two free communications, such as phone calls or emails
In practice, this usually means:
- If the wait is 3 hours or more, you should receive food and drinks
- If you must stay overnight, the airline must arrange and pay for a hotel
Meals are often provided in the form of vouchers that can be used at airport cafés, restaurants, or shops. Ask airline staff for food and drink vouchers and hotel arrangements if needed.
What If You Miss Your LOT Connecting Flight?
If you have a protected LOT connecting flight booked as a single ticket, you won’t need to do anything — the airline will automatically handle rebooking and assistance.
If you have a self-transfer flight (separate tickets), you may need to arrange a new flight yourself.
If your first flight is cancelled or delayed due to bad weather, you won’t receive EU flight compensation for your missed connection.
LOT compensation for flight cancellation due to weather is not payable, as bad weather is considered an extraordinary circumstance and airlines are not required to provide compensation in such cases.
Featured photo by Ray Bilcliff from Pexels