Cathay Pacific Compensation for Delayed or Cancelled Flight, and Refund
Joanna Teljeur
Written By Joanna Teljeur
Last Updated:

Cathay Pacific earned the number 3 position in Cirium’s February 2024 On-time performance rankings for the Asia Pacific region with an OTP rating of 82.03%. Operating many flights to destinations all over the globe, this airline is popular with many travellers, but there’s always a risk of delays and cancellations. Thankfully, you have air passenger rights that can help off-set the inconvenience of flight disruptions if you departed from an EU or UK airport on a Cathay Pacific flight. In this article, we’re going to unpack the rules and regulations so that you’re armed with valuable knowledge the next time you fly.

“Our vision is to be one of the world’s greatest service brands, and that means a brand that our customers, our people and Hong Kong can be truly proud of. There’s a lot of work we need to do to achieve that vision.” - Ronald Lam, CEO, Cathay Pacific in an interview with Aviation Week.

Your Cathay Pacific Passenger Rights

Even though Cathay Pacific is based in Hong Kong, passengers from all countries can still enjoy the protections offered by the European Union, United Kingdom, and Canada as long as you’re travelling to those areas. 

EU air passenger rights regulations can be found in EU 261/2004 and apply to all passengers who fly with Cathay Pacific and depart from an EU airport. Similarly, UK air passenger rights in UK 261 Regulations apply to any passenger departing from a UK airport, and Canadian regulations (Canadian Air Passenger Protection Regulations - APPR) cover Cathay Pacific passengers who arrive or depart from a Canadian airport.

All three sets of regulations protect passengers when their flights have been delayed or cancelled, or they have been denied boarding because a flight is oversold. The following table will help you understand your entitlements for each region. 

Cathay Pacific Compensation in EU, UK, Canada

 

Flight Delays

Flight Cancellations

Denied Boarding

EU 261 

Regulations

Up to €600 in monetary compensation

Depending on delay and travel distance

Care & Assistance

Up to €600 in monetary compensation

Rebooked flight OR Refund

Care & Assistance

Up to €600 in monetary depending on delay and travel distance

Option of refund or rebooked flight

Care & Assistance

UK 261 

Regulations

Up to £520 in monetary compensation depending on delay length and travel distance

Care & Assistance

Up to £520 in monetary compensation

Rebooked Flight OR

Refund

Care & Assistance

Up to £520 in monetary compensation depending on delay and travel distance

Option of refund or rebooked flight

Care & Assistance

Canada 

APPR

Regulations

Up to $1,000 CAD monetary compensation depending on length of delay, travel distance, and airline size

Care & Assistance

Up to $1,000 CAD monetary compensation based on delay length, distance, airline size

Rebooked flight OR

Refund

Care & Assistance

Up to $2,400 CAD monetary compensation up to depending on the length of the delay and airline size

Option of a rebooked flight or refund 

Care & Assistance

Cathay Pacific Flight Delays and Compensation

In the EU and UK, if your flight delay lasts 3 hours or longer, you could be eligible for delay compensation up to €600 (£520) provided the delay wasn’t caused by extraordinary circumstances - meaning something outside the carrier’s control like severe weather or an airport strike. Even if the delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances, airlines are still required to provide you with:

  • Written explanation of your passenger rights and
  • Free access to communication via phone, FAX, emails and
  • Care and assistance in the form of meals, refreshment, accommodation, and 
  • Transport to and from hotel accommodation 

Cathay Pacific has a very high on time performance rating, so it might seem like they rarely have long delays. Passengers tend to see delays of 5 hours or more when they’ve had a cancellation or denied boarding situation and chose to be rebooked on another flight that doesn’t arrive at their final destination until the following day. 

Still, if your flight is delayed by 5 hours or more then the airline must offer the compensation mentioned above in addition to a ticket refund including the parts of your journey that you have or haven’t used as a result of the long delay. You will also be offered a trip back to your point of departure if you decide not to carry on with your travel plans. 

Find out which Cathay Pacific flights are most likely to be cancelled or delayed.

Cathay Pacific delayed flight

Cathay Pacific Cancellations - When You Can Get Compensation

If Cathay Pacific cancels your flight less than 14 days before departure from an EU or UK airport, then they must provide you with an alternate booking to your final destination. If you don’t want to continue with your trip, you can request a refund

In addition to this, you are entitled to the care and assistance as well as financial compensation up to €600 (£520) depending how late you arrive at your final destination and the total distance of your flight. Again, financial compensation will only be owed to you only if the airline is at fault for the cancelled flight.

Bear in mind however, that if the airline offers you a replacement flight that lands at your final destination within 4 hours of your original flight, then the financial compensation you receive will be reduced by half.

For flights in Canada, Cathay Pacific is required to provide you with the same care compensation that the EU and UK regulations stipulate if you are offered a replacement flight and you have to wait in the airport for 3 hours or more. In addition you can expect financial compensation based on the amounts listed above as long as the airline is at fault. If you opt for a refund, then you can expect to receive a flat fee of $400 CAD for your inconvenience.

Lastly, be very careful about accepting vouchers or other offers from the airline. It’s common for these to have plenty of restrictions, and accepting one could forfeit your right to cash compensation.

Read more about cancelled flight compensation

If you’ve had a cancelled flight with Cathay Pacific you can quickly find out how much you could receive. Just enter your flight details below.
Check Your Flight

Denied Boarding on a Cathay Pacific Flight

Many airlines, including Cathay Pacific, will oversell flights to safeguard against having to fly planes that are only partially booked. However, when all passengers show up for their flight, someone will have the misfortune of being denied boarding or bumped from the flight.

This kind of denied boarding shouldn’t be confused with times when an airline will not allow an intoxicated or unruly passenger to board. For the purposes of this section, we are only referring to the oversold flights. 

If this happens to you on a Cathay Pacific flight, then you are entitled to:

  • A full ticket refund or
  • An alternate flight and
  • Care and assistance and
  • Up to €600 (£520) or a flat fee of $400 CAD in Canada

Learn more in our denied boarding compensation guide.

How Much Compensation Can You Get

Your cash compensation will depend on the length of time you were delayed and the distance of your trip. As well, Cathay Pacific will only be liable for cash compensation if they are at fault and if they notified you of a cancellation with less than 14 days notice. 

Cathay Pacific Compensation Amounts in EU and UK

Delay Time

Flight Distance

 

Flights under 1,500km

Flights between 1,500-3,500km

Flights over 3,500km

Over 3 hours

€250 (£220)

€400 (£350)

€600 (£520)*

Under 3 hours

€0

€0

€0

* Cathay Pacific might try to reduce this amount by as much as 50%, but AirAdvisor always works to get the full amount.

For Cathay Pacific flights to, from, or within Canada, the airline is required to provide the same care and assistance listed for the EU and UK. In addition, you can expect the following amounts based on the length of your delay to your final destination.

  • 3 hours or more (and less than 6) - $400 CAD
  • 6 hours or more (and less than 9) - $700 CAD
  • 9 hours or more - $1,000 CAD

A passenger is sad after finding out about a Cathay Pacific flight cancellation

When Cathay Pacific is Not Liable for Cash Compensation

We mentioned extraordinary circumstances as times when the airline is exempt for compensating you financially. These circumstances are defined as any situation outside the airlines’ control and include:

By contrast, an airline strike is within the airline’s realm of control, so if you have a flight disruption with Cathay Pacific as a result of a strike, then you are eligible for compensation.

How to File a Cathay Pacific Compensation Claim

If you choose to pursue a compensation claim with Cathay Pacific, then make your way to their site and look for their contact information. You will be required to write a letter that you will send to them as an email along with pertinent documents including:

  • Boarding pass
  • Ticket receipts
  • Booking confirmation documents

Passengers wait in an airport after Cathay Pacific cancelled their flights

AirAdvisor is Happy to Help

The claims process can be overwhelming, but that’s why we’re here to help! We can handle the entire process for you from start to finish so you have a better chance of getting the compensation you’re due.

  • We have a 98% success rate
  • Over 230,000 people have trusted us with their claims
  • Our system allows you to file a claim in just a few minutes
  • We don’t get our fee unless you get your compensation. No win, no fee.

If you’ve had a flight delay or cancellation with Cathay Pacific, why leave the money unclaimed? Get started today, and find out how much you could receive. Just enter your flight details below.Check Your Flight

FAQs

How long does it take to get a refund from Cathay Pacific?

It usually takes between 7 and 10 business days for Cathay Pacific to issue refunds.

What happens if Cathay Pacific refuses to pay compensation?

If this happens and you still feel that you are entitled to compensation, you can take the matter further and even escalate it to court. AirAdvisor can help you claim compensation and deal with airlines that are unwilling to pay. Contact our team to find out more.

What happens to your checked baggage if Cathay Pacific cancels your flight?

If you accept an alternate flight, then your baggage will be forwarded to your final destination, but if you decide not to travel, then your luggage will be returned to you in the reclaim area of the airport.