Your flight was cancelled or delayed but you don’t have travel insurance? Nothing is lost – European Union law protects your rights and you can get compensation of up to €600. The key is to know how to do it.

Travel and business trips often start with a flight, but things don’t always go as planned. Flights can be delayed, cancelled or re-booked. EU passengers, including in Latvia, have a legal right to compensation, even without an insurance policy.

This right is regulated by EU Regulation 261/2004, which applies to all flights from EU countries as well as to flights to the EU operated by EU airlines.

Compensation can be claimed if:

– arrive at your destination at least 3 hours late;

– the flight was cancelled less than 14 days before departure;

– a passenger is denied boarding due to overbooking.

Amount of compensation:

up to 1500 km – 250 €;

from 1500 to 3500 km – € 400;

over 3,500 km – €600 (if the delay exceeds 4 hours).

Important: If the delay is due to unforeseen circumstances (such as weather or a strike), no compensation may be paid.

Insurance is not required to claim compensation. The Regulation works independently of the policy. Insurance covers other risks (illness, loss of luggage) but does not affect your right to compensation.

In real life, we ourselves were successfully compensated by Transavia – the flight was delayed by more than three hours. Although the ticket was in the husband’s name, the wife submitted the application with a power of attorney, a copy of her passport and a PDF file with account details.

The best option is to contact the airline directly. Intermediaries such as AirHelp or Compensair can help but charge a 25-40% commission.

To make a claim:

– Prepare the boarding pass, booking confirmation, ID and account statement in PDF format;

– find the contact form on the airline’s website;

– submit information and documents, expect a reply within 2-8 weeks

Even without insurance, you are entitled to compensation. The key is to keep all your documents and not be afraid to claim what you are entitled to. If you need help, we’re here to help.