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Compensation For Delayed Flights?

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Gizmonster | 15:56 Sat 20th May 2023 | Law
12 Answers
In a nutshell, we're in Lanzarote waiting for our flight to Manchester which should have left at approx 11.30.
Flight departure time is now 21.00.
Apparently there was a medical emergency on the flight down from Manchester and it had to divert to Faro, Portugal.
By the time it got here, the EasyJet crew had run out of hours so a new crew is on its way from Gatwick and is scheduled to arrive at approx 19.00.
I know that you won't receive compensation if it's deemed to be out of the airline's control, but I keep getting mixed messages.
Can anyone say definitively if we're due some compo or not, as it would go a long way to help ease the agony of this 9 1/2 hour delay?
Cheers :)

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In order to avoid paying compensation, an airline must be able to show the regulatory authorities that 'extraordinary circumstances' led to the delay.

Although there are guidelines as to what DOES qualify as 'extraordinary circumstances' (such as air traffic management decisions, political instability, adverse weather conditions and security risks) and what DOESN'T qualify (such as most technical problems and internal strike action), it's inevitable that there will be occasions where there are no relevant guidelines and where a ruling from the regulator would be required if there was any dispute over the matter:
https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/passenger-rights/air/index_en.htm

However, in the event of such a dispute, I feel confident that the knock-on effects of a medical emergency would be regarded as 'extraordinary circumstances' by the regulator.
Certainly unforeseeable and beyond the airlines control, I would not be surprised if your claim is unsuccessful
Just ask, the worst that'll happen is you get nothing.
I know it's a very very long time to wait but better that than being the actual medical emergency. Have you been given any vouchers for refreshments or have you been left to yourselves?
Question Author
We got 9 euros each which helped, but it's just the inconvenience of waiting around for an eternity .... but yea better this than being the actual medical emergency itself.
We got delayed and detoured coming back from Boston in 2017. By the time we got back to Reykjavik our connecting flight had gone. I stood my ground and told them they had to get us home (most people were being put up for the night) and so they flew us from Glasgow to Amsterdam to Birmingham (how to do five countries in one day). Our luggage turned up two days later.

We got the maximum compensation you can get (over a £1,000).
Question Author
Well .... my missus has just submitted the claim form.
I'm not holding my breath, but like douglas9401 said:

//// Just ask, the worst that'll happen is you get nothing. ////

.... I'll let you know if / when the claim is unsucessful :)
Fingers crossed
I was on a flight to Nairobi when a man fell ill over Tunisia. Rather than leave him to a Tunisian doctor, the pilot turned round and took him back to Rome. I arrived about 8 hours late, at 3am, and my driver had gone home. Very annoying - but I hope they do the same if I ever fall ill in the air.
Jno, your post brings back memories for me. I remember being in a panic before my flight to Cape Verde and had to go off to Boots airside to get a pregnancy test. I was still recovering from my ectopic pregnancy and was terrified that if I had another one and needed emergency treatment in Cape Verde, I would probably have had my entire reproductive viscera removed.

I'd say that was a jolly good call by the pilot.
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