Flight to Mallorca delayed, what to do?

Mallorca is considered a popular destination here in the country. About one-third of tourists to the Balearic Island travel by plane from Germany. But what should you do if your flight to the vacation island is delayed? This article explains when passengers are entitled to compensation.

An overview of passenger rights

Compensation for flight delays includes several claims: monetary compensation after three hours, assistance services after two hours, and compensation or rebooking after a delay of five hours. However, certain conditions must be met in order to make these claims. In any case, the airline must be at fault for the delay.

Basis for compensation is EU law

Compensation for flight delays is part of the European Regulation on Air Passenger Rights. When flying from Germany to Mallorca, this EU law applies. For such a flight within the EU, it doesn't matter whether you are traveling with an EU airline or not. However, if you are flying from outside the EU to Mallorca, you need to take a closer look. A trip from New York to Palma de Mallorca falls under EU law only if you are a passenger of an EU airline.

Requirements for compensation for flight delays

In addition to the departure and destination countries and the airline's affiliation, there are other requirements to consider. Passengers are only entitled to compensation if the flight is delayed for at least three hours. The calculation of time is also precisely regulated. The delay is counted from the scheduled arrival time at the destination airport. The flight is considered arrived as soon as passengers can disembark the aircraft. It must have landed and at least one door must be open. The compensation claim also applies to flights with layovers if there is a delay of three hours or more at the final destination. So, if you have a layover in Amsterdam or Paris to reach Mallorca, you also have the right to compensation if there is a delay.

How much is the compensation for a delayed flight?

How much money do passengers receive while waiting for their flight to sunny Mallorca? According to the EU Air Passenger Rights Regulation, the amount of compensation depends on the flight distance. Up to 1,500 kilometers, you receive 250 euros. For distances over 3,500 kilometers, passengers are entitled to 600 euros. For example, if you fly from Hamburg Airport to Mallorca, you cover a flight distance of 1,650 kilometers. This falls into the category of flight distances between 1,500 and 3,500 kilometers, for which the EU provides compensation of 400 euros. However, if the flight departs from Munich and covers only 1,160 kilometers to Mallorca, passengers are entitled to compensation of 250 euros if there is a delay. Provided that you arrive at the destination airport with a delay of at least three hours.

Entitlement to assistance services after two hours of waiting

In addition to monetary compensation, waiting passengers have other rights. Starting from a two-hour delay, they are entitled to assistance services. This includes free meals and drinks. If the flight is only scheduled to depart the next day, passengers are also entitled to a hotel stay. The airline also covers transportation to the nearest hotel and back to the airport.

Entitlement to compensation for damages after five hours of delay

The Spanish island tourism has recovered from the COVID-19 crisis, and many flights to Mallorca are taking off again. This is generally a positive development. However, the more planes take off, the more likely delays can occur. If passengers have to wait for five hours or longer for their flight, they have additional rights. In such a lengthy delay, passengers are entitled to alternative transportation.

This can be, for example, a flight rebooking or travel by bus or train, although the latter may not be a practical option for a flight to Mallorca. Additionally, if there is a delay of five hours or more, passengers are no longer obliged to take the booked flight in order to receive compensation. Those who wait for such a long time can request a refund of the flight ticket price. In this case, the airline is also responsible for arranging the earliest possible return flight to the departure airport.

Cases where no compensation is provided The airline's fault is a prerequisite for compensation in the event of a flight delay. This could be due to technical issues, staff shortages, or airline insolvency, for example. However, there are also cases where the airline is not responsible for the delay. If, for instance, the airport staff is on strike but not the airline staff, there is no entitlement to compensation. Similarly, airlines are not liable for delays caused by weather conditions.

Conclusion

When the flight from rainy Hamburg to sunny Mallorca is delayed, passengers can assert their rights. From a two-hour delay onwards, they are entitled to assistance services, such as a complimentary meal. From a three-hour delay, they can receive monetary compensation. For a flight from Germany to Mallorca, this compensation can range from 250 to 400 euros, depending on the flight distance. From a five-hour delay, passengers can request a flight rebooking or choose not to take the flight and receive a refund of the costs.