Search for my flight
Our strong results achieved for clients like you
We have handled more than 450,000 flight delay and cancellation claims.
Over €60,000,000 in compensation has been paid out to our clients.
Join more than 430,000 passengers who’ve trusted AirAdvisor flight delay compensation.
Flight delays and cancellations have become a necessary evil for air travel, but as a passenger, you do have rights that protect you. Some regions have stronger air passenger rights regulations than others, but when you’re flying with Qantas, you can at least count on the fact that they will get you to your destination and not leave you stranded.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through your rights as a passenger in Australia as well as when you travel abroad to the UK and Europe. With this information, you’ll know what to do, when you can get compensated for the inconvenience, and the steps you need to take to get it.
Skip the read and see how much compensation you’re owed by entering your flight details in our free compensation calculator.
Handling a Qantas Flight Delay: What To Claim & When
In 2024, 76.1% of Qantas flights arrived on time, according to Cirium, but that means you can expect delays almost 24% of the time.
If you are flying domestically, and your Qantas flight is delayed, you will not be able to get financial compensation, but the airline will help you if you are left waiting for at least 2 hours for departure.
Based on the Qantas Contract of Carriage, you will receive the following as long as the airline is to blame for the disruption.
- A free meal for delays that last 2+ hours if the airline is at fault for the delay.
- Hotel accommodation and a meal valued at $30 AUD (￡16) if you have to wait overnight and your new departure time is within 12 hours of your original flight.
- Hotel accommodation and a meal valued at $50 (￡24) if you have to wait overnight and your new departure is more than 12 hours of your original flight.
If you have to pay for these expenses on your own, remember to keep your receipts for reimbursement.
Qantas Flight Delay Compensation in the UK and EU
If you have a flight delay of at least 3 hours on a Qantas flight departing from either the UK or EU, you are entitled to protection under UK 261 and EU 261 if the airline is to blame. The rules in these regulations mean that you can:
- Up to £520/€600 in financial compensation, based on the distance of your flight,
- Vouchers for refreshments, hotel lodging, and transportation, plus communication, depending on your flight’s distance for delays of 2 hours or more. Request these at the airport as soon as the delay happens.
How to Deal with Qantas Flight Cancellations
If Qantas cancels your flight, and you are flying within Australia, you will have the choice of a rebooking or a refund for the unused part of your ticket. If you accept a rebooking, but your flight will not depart for at least another 2 hours, then you would get the same compensation as you would for delays.
As soon as you learn about your cancelled flight, here’s what you should do:
- Request a new flight from Qantas if you haven’t already been rebooked.
- If no alternative flight meets your requirements, ask for a full refund for the original flight ticket.
- Determine the reason for the cancellation. If you are flying in the UK or Europe, this information will support your compensation claim.
- Request meals and hotel lodging as needed.
To get refunded, you can phone the airline directly:
- 13 13 13 in Australia
- +61 2 8222 2439 outside Australia
It's everyone's dreaded travel scenario: you buy a ticket from Qantas, show up, and discover that your flight is delayed, cancelled, or worse. Or you find that the flight is fine, but you or an immediate family member are denied boarding. What are your rights? Are you due compensation?
Qantas Cancelled Flight Compensation in the EU & UK
As mentioned, if you are departing from an airport in the UK or EU, you have a right to cash compensation if your Qantas flight is cancelled within 2 weeks of departure and the airline is at fault.
- Short flights under 1,500km: £220/€250.
- Medium flights between 1,500km & 3,500km: £350/€400.
- Long flights over 3,500km: £520/€600.
Qantas Missed Connections
Passengers who miss a connecting flight, because of a previous delay or cancellation, will get the same compensation as they would with other flight disruptions. So if you are flying in Australia, you would get a rebooking as well as care and assistance at the airport.
If your flight was departing from the EU or UK, you would also receive care and assistance and a new flight to your destination. In addition to this, you could also get cash compensation in the same amounts, provided Qantas is at fault.
Who’s At Fault? When Qantas Compensation Doesn’t Apply
In general, flight compensation and cancellation payouts are only required if the airline could have prevented the disruptions. For example, if a scheduling error or routine maintenance caused the interruptions, passengers are eligible for compensation.
Extraordinary circumstances are events that exempt Qantas from compensating passengers. Basically, an extraordinary circumstance is any event that is beyond the carrier’s control, like a natural disaster or an airport strike.
Find out if you are owed compensation for a disrupted flightCheck Your Flight
Need Help with a Qantas Compensation Claim?
Flight disruptions and air passenger rights regulations can be confusing, leaving you to wonder what steps you should take next. If this is you, then take a deep breath and know that AirAdvisor’s team of legal professionals are here to help you through the entire process.
- We operate on a no-win, no-fee basis.
- Over 450,000 have trusted us with their claims
- We have 98% win rate, and 8 years of experience in the field
Author:
Joanna Teljeur
Job/Position: Editor, Senior Writer
Joanna is a writer, editor, and consumer rights advocate.
