LOT Flight Delay Compensation

LOT flight delay compensation.

How to claim for delayed flight? And how much can you get?

Did you know that in some situations you could be entitled to LOT delayed flight compensation? When you are flying with European airlines, you are protected against flight delays, flight cancellations and denied boarding. It doesn’t matter where you are from, what is the price of your ticket, or whether or not you have travel insurance. All travellers are protected under the law, and LOT has to follow these laws. How to claim compensation for a delayed flight?

One of the options is to let professionals deal with this.

Or, you can pursue flight delay compensation on your own.

1. LOT Flight Delay Compensation: EU Regulations

Overall, the EU flight delay compensation rules are simple.

You are entitled to flight delay compensation if you reach your destination 3+ hours later than planned, the delay is the airline’s fault. The EU flight compensation regulation is almost identical to the UK regulation. You are protected as a passenger both in the EU and UK.

If you’re flying to or from Europe with LOT, and if your flight is delayed for 3 or more hours, and the delay is due to the fault of LOT, you are eligible to compensation of up to €600. This rule applies to other EU airlines, too. But if you are flying with a non-EU airline such as Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, etc., it applies only to flights departing from the EU.

Could you be entitled to LOT flight delay compensation?

Yes, if:

• It’s a 3+ hour delay;
• It’s due to the fault of LOT;
• Flight is to/from Europe.

So, all the above mentioned rules apply to all LOT delays and cancellations.

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.

1.1 Extraordinary Circumstances

There are situations when you aren’t eligible for compensation. 

Flights delayed due to “extraordinary circumstances” are not eligible to compensation. 

What are “extraordinary circumstances”? These are events that are outside the airline’s control. If your LOT (or any other flight for that matter) is delayed or cancelled due to extraordinary circumstances, the airline is not obliged to pay compensation to affected passengers. The reasons behind the delay are outside of the airline’s control. 

What kind of events are extraordinary circumstances? Inclement weather, natural disaster, nationwide strike, terrorism threat, civil unrest, security issues at the airport. If your flight is denied or cancelled because of any of these events, you can’t get compensation.

What about strikes? If it’s a strike of LOT staff, it’s not an “extraordinary circumstance”, and you may be entitled to flight compensation.

What about technical problems? According to the European regulations, technical problems are not considered extraordinary circumstances. Even if the airline tells you otherwise.

1.2 Double Check What You’re Told

One more thing to remember — not always airlines are telling real reasons for delay.

That’s why when in doubt, double check what you’re told.

Airlines lose a lot of money when they pay compensations to affected passengers. That’s why airlines try to avoid paying compensation when it is possible. To avoid paying it, airlines often tell their passengers wrong reasons for delay. For example, when your flight was delayed due to technical problems, the airline might tell you that the reason for delay was “extraordinary circumstances”. If you are claiming compensation on your own, always ask for proof.

Alternatively, work with a flight compensation company. They will check your flight for you. If you will be entitled to compensation, they will claim it on your behalf. Our partners offer such services. 

1.3 How to Calculate the Delay Time?

What really matters is the time of arrival to your destination.

Especially if you have an airline-protected connecting flight. See how much later you arrive at your final destination. Do not calculate the delay for each individual flight leg. It’s not going to be correct.

Flight delay time is calculated based on the actual time of arrival to your destination, specifically, when the doors of the airplane are opened. If the doors are opened 3 or more hours after the original arrival time, you can get compensation. Keep in mind that you can’t calculate the delay time based on the time of departure.

1.4 Right to Care

In Europe you also have a right to care.

When your flight is delayed for several hours, and you are stuck at the airport waiting until it finally departs, you are entitled to receive certain services from the airline, for free. As long as the waiting time at the airport is at least 3 hours. This also applies to cancellations and overbooking.

LOT must offer you free meals and drinks in a reasonable relation to the waiting time, two free phone calls, e-mails or faxes. If the flight is delayed overnight, you should be offered accommodation and transportation from and to the airport as well. In Europe all passengers are eligible for this type of care from the airline.

2. How to Claim LOT Compensation For Delayed Flight?

How to claim flight delay compensation LOT owes you?

There are two ways you can do it online.

One of the options is to contact LOT yourself. Contact LOT using contact form on their website or via social media channels. Request LOT delayed flight compensation, referring to the above mentioned EU regulations. Keep in mind that this process might take a few months and be prepared for negotiations. Make sure you have all the necessary information about your flight.

The second option is — legal representation.

It’s the easiest of the two options.

In this case everything is done by a team of professionals. All you have to do is to fill in one form — a compensation claim form. You don’t have to contact the airline yourself. A lawyer does that on your behalf. Our partners offer such services.

Read more:

• How to Claim LOT Compensation?
• LOT Missed Connection Compensation
• Your LOT Compensation Claim Is Rejected. What’s Next?

2.1 How Long Does It Take?

No matter how you proceed, it isn’t a short process. 

If everything goes well, then it might take about 2-3 months. If the airline is not cooperating, it could take more than that. If it’s necessary to work with a national enforcement body or take the case to court, it definitely won’t be a short process.

As you see, each case if different. It will take some time until you get LOT flight delay compensation.

3. How Much Can You Claim?

The compensation amount is fixed and range from €250 to €600.

How to calculate your LOT delayed flight compensation?

Use this simple flight delay compensation calculator.

When your destination is within the EU/UK:

When your destination is outside the EU/UK:

There’s one exception. When the flight distance is 3500+ kilometres and you reach your destination 3 to 4 hours later than planned, you are entitled only to 50% of the LOT flight delay compensation amount (that means €300, not €600).

3.1 LOT Voucher Refund or Cash?

You might be offered a LOT voucher instead of compensation.

Majority of airlines were offering coupons during the COVID crisis. 

And many still do that. But do you need to accept LOT voucher refund or LOT voucher compensation? No. According to European regulations, airline compensations and refunds must be paid in cash or by bank transfer.

Read more: Your LOT Flight Is Delayed. Should You Wait at Home?

LOT Flight Delay Compensation: FAQ

EU – Non-EU Flights, Tourists

Other Situations

What is your experience? Have you ever received LOT flight delay compensation? Do you still have questions about LOT compensation claim procedures and policies? Ask in the comments.