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Aer Lingus, Ireland’s flag carrier airline, flies to over 100 destinations from Dublin. Long before it was merged into IAG (International Airlines Group), Ryanair made several attempts to take over the airline.
Based on information from the Civil Aviation Authority, in 2023, Aer Lingus cancelled 1,402 out of their total 46,437 flights. This is a cancellation percentage of 3% and can mean that many passengers are inconvenienced.
Additionally, on June 26, 2024, the Aer Lingus pilots started work to rule action resulting in the airline pre-emptively cancelling flights. According to the BBC, an Aer Lingus spokesperson commented that
120 flights have been cancelled on 29 June due to the strike action, impacting 15,000 passengers.
Regardless of the flight delay or cancellation reason, passengers will be affected. So, let’s go through your interruption rights, some recommended steps, claiming compensation, and how we can help expedite the whole process.
Your Aer Lingus Passenger Rights
Types of Aer Lingus Compensation
As a passenger on Aer Lingus flights, you may be entitled to compensation if the following have occurred:
- Aer Lingus flight delays: If your flight arrived 3+ hours late at your final destination.
- Aer Lingus cancelled flights: If Aer Lingus cancelled your flight and informed you less than 14 days before departure.
- Denied boarding: If you were denied boarding due to overbooking.
- Missed connections: If you missed a connecting flight due to a delay in one of the legs and arrived at your destination 3+ hours late.
What is Aer Lingus EU261 Compensation?
Regulation EU261 applies to all European airlines flying in or out of Europe. It stipulates the conditions and amount of compensation passengers can receive when their flights encounter a disruption.
Additionally, regulation UK261 was enacted to cover UK-departing flights on any airline after Brexit. This rule affords the same rights as EU261 if you depart/land at any UK airport on an Aer Lingus flight. The maximum UK261 compensation you can receive is £520.
According to EU law, your rights include:
- Up to €600 compensation, regardless of ticket price; depends on flight distance.
- The right to care, including communication, meals, and accommodation for extensive Aer Lingus flight delays or cancellations.
- A refund or alternate flight for Aer Lingus cancellations.
- A 6-year time limit in which to file your claim.
If you want to check if you’re eligible for EU261 compensation, it’s easy to use our free flight delay checker.
Aer Lingus EU261 Compensation Limits
As mentioned, flight compensation depends on the distance you travel (or were planning to travel). The categories break down as follows:
- Flights under 1,500km - Up to €250
- EU flights over 1,500km - Up to €400
- International flights between 1,500km and 3,500km - Up to €400
- International flights over 3,500km - Up to €600
What Flights Are Covered?
Every Aer Lingus flight that departs from or arrives at an EU airport is eligible for EU261 compensation, provided the other conditions are met. Since many of Aer Lingus’ flights depart from Dublin, rest assured that each of these qualify.
Here are a few routes and the expected compensation provided your flight is delayed by at least 3 hours:
Route | Approximate Flight Distance | Expected EU261 Compensation |
Dublin Airport to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport | 780km | €250 maximum |
Lisbon Airport to Dublin Airport | 1,640km | €400 maximum |
Dublin Airport to Larnaca Airport Cyprus | 3,740km | €400 maximum (within the EU) |
Dublin Airport to New York JFK Airport | 5,100km | €600 maximum |
Still wondering how much compensation you can claim? Click here to know definitively using our free flight delay compensation calculator.
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Extraordinary Circumstances
Aer Lingus delayed flight compensation will not be enforceable in case of extraordinary circumstances. These are delay causes that are deemed to be outside the carrier’s direct control.
For example, if the Aer Lingus flight is delayed because of bad weather or any airport-related disruption, that is considered an extraordinary circumstance. Technical problems, airline staff strikes, or operational problems are not valid reasons for rejected compensation claims.
Aer Lingus Flight Cancellations: When are they Liable?
Aer Lingus can escape liability when they say that the delay reason was an extraordinary circumstance. So, if your flight is cancelled because of issues with air traffic control or the baggage handlers at the airport, you are not entitled to an Aer Lingus missed flight refund.
All airlines will generally try to book you on the next available flight at no additional charge in the case of cancelled flights. You may agree to the proposed flight, request another replacement flight, or demand reimbursement if you are not happy with any of the options proposed.
Note: If your rebooked scheduled departure arrives at a similar time to your original departure time, you're not entitled to compensation. The law is fair and allows airlines not to pay compensation if you can reach your destination with minimum inconvenience. But in many cases, passengers who have a cancelled flight will have valid claims for Aer Lingus flight compensation.
Also, if you were notified about the flight cancellation less than 14 days before your date of departure, you may be able to receive up to €600 (£520) per person in compensation. Additionally, you may receive Aer Lingus flight delay compensation if you arrive 3+ hours later than the scheduled arrival time of your initial flight.
We work on a No-Win, No-Fee basisAirAdvisor is happy to help with your claim, so you can avoid the stress of dealing with airlines and complicated laws.Check Your Flight
Missed Connection Compensation
Let’s say that your initial Aer Lingus flight is delayed by 4 hours causing you to miss a subsequent connecting flight. In this case, as long as the 2 flights are part of the same booking, you may be eligible to claim up to €600 in EU261 compensation, depending on your total overall delay time at the final destination.
Want to learn more? Check out our comprehensive info on missed connection compensation.
Denied Boarding Compensation
Lastly, you can receive compensation even if you were denied boarding at the airport. Airlines, Aer Lingus included, often sell more tickets than the total seat availability. This is because they know not all passengers show up for the flight.
But when they do, the airline has no choice but to refuse boarding to some of the passengers because of the overbooking. In such a situation you can receive compensation as well as a ticket on the next available flight.
To learn more, read our Aer Lingus denied boarding guide.
Steps To Take for Aer Lingus Delayed Flight or Cancellation
In case of a delayed or cancelled flight, you should take the following steps immediately:
- Confirm the reason for the delay or cancellation.
- Collect proof: photos, receipts of expenses, Aer Lingus booking number, vouchers, etc.
- Insist on your basic benefits and services at the airport.
- Check your eligibility for compensation with our free online compensation calculator.
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Aer Lingus Flight Refund policy
Aer Lingus flight compensation and a refund are two different things. Regulations allow you to receive both: a cancellation refund and compensation.
If Aer Lingus cancels your flight, even due to extraordinary circumstances and you were not offered a replacement flight, you can obtain a ticket refund in full.
Types of Ticket Refunds
A full refund must be in cash or credit. Vouchers are allowed only if you specifically agree to it. We do not recommend accepting vouchers due to short expiry dates and potential restrictions on redemption.
Note: If Aer Lingus offers a replacement flight with approximately the same arrival time and you decide not to take it, there is a possibility of you losing the right to get both compensation and a ticket refund.
Rule of thumb: you can generally reject alternative flights and receive a refund in full if the suggested replacement flight arrives 3+ hours later than your initial scheduled arrival time.
How to Fill Out an Aer Lingus EU261 Claim Form
Claiming EU261 compensation for UK or Europe flights can be a tricky process. You won’t get paid out automatically. In fact, you need to spend time completing the applicable online form on the Aer Lingus website.
Unfortunately, since airlines don’t typically enjoy paying flight compensation claims, you may find the procedure difficult. This is especially true if it’s your first-ever EU261 compensation claim.
If you need help, we’re here. Our form is easier to complete and straightforward. Using our form entitles you to the same maximum compensation of €600, although we do charge a small fee on successful claims.
What To Do if the Aer Lingus EU261 Claim Form Isn’t Working
Your only option if you want to continue the claim through Aer Lingus is to persevere. This means either waiting for the form to work again or error messages to resolve. You can try contacting the airline’s customer service department to get things moving faster.
For quick results and a hassle-free experience, consider relying on our airline compensation experts for your Aer Lingus flight delay claim instead.
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Common Questions: Aer Lingus Compensation Claims and Refunds
What do you do when your Aer Lingus flight is cancelled or delayed?
First, find out the specific delay reason as that will impact your compensation options. Save all your documentation, and in the event of a cancellation, get rebooked ASAP. Once you’ve completed your trip, look into EU261 compensation based on the length of the delay or how suddenly the flight was cancelled.
What if you cancel my Aer Lingus flight? Can you get a refund?
If Aer Lingus cancels the flight, they must refund the price of the ticket to passengers. But if you decide to voluntarily cancel your scheduled flight, you are not entitled to a refund. Aer Lingus cancellation policy is restrictive unless you have a flexible fare, which allows you to reschedule your flight to a later date with minimal cost.
Note: regardless of ticket type, passengers have the right to request a refund amount for airport taxes and fees as part of a cancellation refund.
How many hours for flight delay to be eligible for Aer Lingus EU261 compensation?
If your flight is delayed by 3 hours or more at the final destination airport, you may be able to claim compensation. The calculation of delay and compensation can be complex and may depend on factors such as the length of the delay and flight distance. Use our website to check if your Aer Lingus flight is eligible for compensation.
How long does it take to get Aer Lingus flight delay compensation?
According to EU Regulation EC 261 compensation must be paid within a month of the delayed flight. However, it is not uncommon for airlines such as Aer Lingus to take much longer to process, sometimes taking 2-3 months. Aer Lingus may attempt to prolong requests for compensation expecting that many travellers to give up. Partner with AirAdvisor instead and you can save the headache.
What’s the time limit for Aer Lingus EU261 compensation claims?
In Ireland and the UK, passengers have up to 6 years to claim Aer Lingus flight delay compensation.
