Check Compensation
vectorbubblebubbletopright
backbubbles
  • starf
  • starf
  • starf
  • starf
  • starh

Reviews.io 4.6/5 Based on 18,916 reviews

Kraków Airport Compensation for Flight Delays & Cancellations: Live Updates

If you have suffered a flight delay or cancellation, or got denied boarding by an airline at John Paul II International Airport Krakow-Balice Airport, you may have the right to compensation of up to €600 per person.
AirAdvisor makes it easy for you to claim compensation. Filing a claim does not entail any risk or advance cost, as AirAdvisor only gets a success fee commission from payment received from the airline. The service is free, if compensation is not collected.

Free and instant Delay Compensation Checker
  • Wise choice: 14.3% cheaper service
  • No Win, No Fee
logo

Savings up to 120 EUR per family

logo

No financial risks

logo

98% success rate in court

Search for my flight

Flight Compensation Search

Recent flights eligible for compensation

close
Kraków Airport Compensation for Flight Delays & Cancellations: Live Updates
verifgreen
Amy Lancelotte

Last Updated:  

Kraków Airport welcomed more than 11 million passengers in 2024, and if you’re one of them, it’s possible that a delay or cancellation totally disrupted your plans. If so, you may be able to get up to €600 (£520) in compensation from your airline.

As a member of the EU, all flights that depart from Kraków Airport and ones that land here on an EU airline are covered by Regulation EU261. Similarly, flights that leave the UK are also protected thanks to Regulation UK261, which offers the same protection. These regulations are why you can claim compensation and things like meals and hotels.

Getting the maximum Kraków Airport compensation can be complicated and time-consuming, which is why at AirAdvisor, we use our expertise to fight for air passengers’ rights. Since 2017,  over 450,000 clients have successfully trusted us to hold airlines accountable. Don’t take this on alone – we can help!

Disrupted flight? You might have a right to compensation - up to €600Check Your Flight

Kraków Airport – Passenger Rights

With EU261, passengers can claim the following, depending on the circumstances:

  • Compensation up to €600/£520
  • Assistance in the form of meals, communication, hotel stays, and transport
  • Flight refunds

Delays Exceeding 3 Hours

If a flight from Kraków Airport is delayed by at least 3 hours, EU261 is triggered. The payout amount will depend on the flight distance, the total delay length, and the cause of the Kraków Airport delay.

Flight Cancellations & Refunds

If a Kraków Airport flight is cancelled, EU261 also mandates compensation, which depends on the cancellation notification period. In addition, the total interruption time, flight distance, and root cause are factors.

First, when a Kraków Airport flight gets cancelled, passengers are entitled to a replacement flight or a refund, regardless of the cancellation timeframe or reason. Compensation is also possible when passengers are notified of the cancellation fewer than 14 days before the scheduled flight. 

But not all re-routed flights are eligible. For example, the airline does not have to issue compensation under Regulation EU261 if:

  • Cancellation notice is given between 7 and 14 days, and the replacement flight leaves no more than 2 hours before and arrives less than 4 hours after the original.
  • Cancellation notice is less than 7 days, and the new flight departs no more than 1 hour before and lands less than 2 hours after the original.

Lost Luggage at Kraków Airport

When checking baggage at Kraków Airport, if it’s not returned within 21 days, it’s considered lost, and passengers can claim up to €1,860 (1,519 Special Drawing Rights or £1,580). This depends on the value of the items inside, and a claim must be filed within 7 days.

traveler looking at flight information at the airport

Passenger Rights in Case of Kraków Airport Flight Delays

Passengers are eligible for cash compensation when a Kraków Airport flight is delayed by at least 3 hours. And, while waiting at the airport, airlines are required to keep you comfortable, referred to as the right to care. You can get the following, based on the Kraków Airport wait time and flight distance:

Wait Time

Flight Distance

Right to Care

2 hours or more

Under 1,500km

Refreshments + communication

3 hours or more

Between 1,500km & 3,500km

Refreshments + communication

4 hours or more

Over 3,500km

Refreshments + communication

Overnight delay

N/A

Refreshments + communication; hotel stay + ground transport to/from hotel

Kraków Airport Flight Delay Compensation

Getting an airline to pay out Kraków Airport delay compensation can be tricky. It’s crucial to keep all documents. Hold on to your boarding pass and get the reason for the delay in writing whenever possible.

Make sure you file your Kraków Airport flight delay compensation claim in time. In Poland, passengers only have 1 year from the interruption to make a claim.

Delayed Flight Requirements for Compensation

  1. Your flight departs from Kraków Airport on any airline; or
  2. Your flight arrives at Kraków Airport on an EU or UK-based airline; and
  3. The flight is delayed by 3 hours+; and
  4. The airline is the cause of the delay

How Much Can You Claim for Kraków Airport Delays

It’s simple, the maximum compensation is based on the overall flight distance:

  • Up to 1,500 km: €250/£220
  • 1,500 km to 3,500 km: €400/£350
  • Over 3,500 km: €600/£520*

*Note that for flights over 3,500km, if the delay is between 3 and 4 hours, airlines will attempt to reduce this to €300/£260. At AirAdvisor, we always go for the maximum amount.

The Kraków Airport EU261 Cancelled Flight Law 

Like with delays, passengers can claim up to €600 (£520) for cancelled flights at Kraków Airport. As long as a passenger received less than 14 days' notice, the flight cancellation is directly caused by the airline, and if there’s a delay reaching the final destination, EU261 applies.

Find out if you are owed compensation for a disrupted flightCheck Your Flight

Kraków Airport Cancelled Flight Compensation & Refund

Departing flights cancelled at Kraków Airport are leaving from an EU-based airport, so they all meet this requirement for EU261. For a flight arriving at Kraków Airport, it must either be with a UK or EU airline or originate in the UK or EU on another airline.

Cancelled Flight Requirements for Compensation

To claim up to the maximum of €600 (£520), a Kraków Airport cancelled flight must:

  • Depart from the EU on any airline
  • Arrive in the EU on an EU or UK airline
  • Be cancelled with less than 14 days' notice

Can I Get a Refund for my Flight from Kraków Airport? 

Yes, passengers can get a full refund or choose to re-book if a cancelled flight departs from Kraków Airport. Additionally, once a flight is delayed by 5 hours or more, passengers can choose not to continue travelling and get a refund.

Kraków Airport Cancelled Flight Compensation You Can Claim

The amount of Kraków Airport flight cancellation compensation that passengers can claim differs based on when the flight is cancelled. Other factors include the flight distance and the delay time of the replacement flight compared to the original one (EU261):

Flights Cancelled Within 7 to 14 Days

Flight Distance

Less than 2 hours

2 – 3 hours

3 – 4 hours

More than 4 hours

1,500km or less

€125

€250

€250

€250

1,500km to 3,500km

€200

€200

€400

€400

Over 3,500km

€300

€300

€300

€600

Flights Cancelled Within 7 days

Flight Distance

Delay @ Final Destination

Compensation

1,500km or less

2 hours +

€250

1,500km to 3,500km

3 hours +

€400

Over 3,500km

Less than 4 hours

€300

Over 3,500km

4 hours +

€600

Delayed, Lost, or Damaged Baggage at Kraków Airport

Not only do passengers have protection for flight interruptions, but lost, damaged, or delayed baggage may also entitle passengers to compensation up to approximately €1,860 (1,519 SDR).

  • A bag is considered lost if it’s been delayed for at least 21 days
  • File a claim within 7 days of the delay, damage, or once it’s declared lost
  • Prove the value of the luggage contents with receipts
  • For delayed baggage, airlines will cover the bare essentials
  • Prove damage with photos

Kraków Airport Delays & Cancellations: Top Reasons

We now know what passengers can get for Kraków Airport delays and cancellations. Next, let’s look at the top causes of these disruptions, which include weather-related events and strikes in other countries.

Air Traffic Control Restrictions at Kraków Airport

ATC is an absolutely crucial service at any airport, so when there are restrictions, planes get backed up, causing cascading delays and potential cancellations. 

Airline Operational Issues

Disruptions are often caused by the airlines themselves. They go on strike, experience technical or aircraft problems, and can have insufficient staff to operate flights safely.

Wizz Air, a frequent flyer to Kraków Airport, had flights disrupted between Poland and Italy due to a strike in September 2024. Flights were cancelled, inconveniencing thousands of travellers.

Strikes at Kraków Airport

From security staff to refuellers to baggage handlers, a strike with any group will definitely impact flight schedules. 

There have been no strikes at Kraków Airport lately, but nationwide strikes in other countries, like Italy, Greece, and Germany, have prompted the airport to cancel flights.

Delays / Cancellations due to Bad Weather Conditions at Kraków Airport

Weather can play a big role in flight delays and cancellations at Kraków Airport. In general, disruptions occur due to anything from high winds to snow. 

At the end of December 2024, the airport was dealing with very dense fog. This resulted in cancellations and significant delays. Most notably, a single flight had to circle Kraków Airport 27 times just to land safely.

Other Incidents at Kraków Airport

Although less common, passengers may also experience disruptions due to security threats, runway closures, or technical problems within the airport. 

Kraków Airport interruptions can either be due to extraordinary circumstances, which are outside the airline’s control, or something caused by the airline. When extraordinary circumstances, like airport strikes and poor weather, are the cause, EU261 compensation is not payable.

luggage is positioned in an airport reflecting light

Top 5 Airlines Affected by Delays & Cancellations at Kraków Airport

With over 1 million passengers passing through the airport in most months, certain airlines experience more disruptions than others. These are the airlines most likely to have a delay or cancellation at Kraków Airport:

Claim Kraków Airport Flight Compensation With AirAdvisor

When you’ve experienced an annoying cancellation or delay, it’s easy to file a claim with AirAdvisor. In fact, it takes less than 5 minutes. Here’s how to proceed:

  1. Gather your documents: This includes boarding passes, any airline or airport written correspondence, and proof of the interruption.
  2. Submit the claim: File a claim online here. Enter the details of your flight and add your contact details. Then, attach your supporting documents and submit.
  3. Sit back and relax: We’ll process everything for you and communicate back and forth with the airline. Claims are typically resolved successfully in 4-6 weeks.

File your Kraków Airport compensation claim ASAP to get what you’re owed. Don’t risk forgetting to make the claim or losing important details and documents!

Claim with AirAdvisor and get up to €600 compensationFind out how much you’re owed today.Check Your Flight

Kraków Airport Questions and Answers

Airport Compensation

What is airport compensation for flight disruptions?

When a flight from Kraków Airport is delayed or cancelled, airlines are required to issue compensation up to €600/£520, subject to certain criteria.

When am I eligible for Kraków Airport compensation after a delay or cancellation?

Passengers can claim a max of €600/£520 for departing Kraków Airport flights that are delayed at least 3 hours or are cancelled with fewer than 14 days’ notice.

How much compensation can I claim for a flight disruption at Kraków Airport?

Compensation ranges from €250/£220 for short-haul flights to €600/£520 for long-haul flights.

How do I claim flight compensation if my flight was delayed or cancelled at Kraków Airport?

Go to AirAdvisor, fill out the details of the incident and your contact info, attach supporting docs, and click submit.

Does it matter which airline I was flying with when claiming compensation?

Yes and no. All flights departing from Kraków Airport, regardless of the airline, are eligible for EU261 compensation. But, flights arriving at Kraków Airport must be with a UK or EU-based airline to qualify.

Can I get compensation for missed connecting flights due to delays at the airport?

Yes. As long as the airline is responsible for the initial delay, passengers departing from the EU or UK can claim up to €600 (£520) in missed connection compensation for delays at the final destination of 3 hours or more.

How long do I have to claim compensation for a disrupted flight from Kraków Airport?

In Poland, you have 1 year from the disruption date.

What documents do I need to claim Kraków Airport compensation?

Keep your boarding pass, flight details, and any airport or airline correspondence proving the interruption. Ideally, take a photo of the departure board displaying the delay or cancellation.

Airport Delays

What should I do if my flight is delayed at Kraków Airport?

Don’t panic. Request refreshments and accommodations from the airline, where applicable. Gather your documents to make a compensation claim once the trip is complete.

How long does a flight need to be delayed before I am entitled to compensation?

Kraków Airport flights that are delayed by at least 3 hours could be eligible for EU 261 compensation.

What assistance am I entitled to during a flight delay at the airport?

Food and drinks plus access to communication must be provided by the airline starting at 2 hours for short-haul flights, 3 hours for medium-haul flights, and 4 hours for long-haul flights. Delayed overnight? The airline must offer a hotel and transport to/from the accommodations.

Can I claim both assistance (food, hotel) and monetary compensation for a delay?

Absolutely, claiming one does not negate the eligibility for the other. Just don’t accept other forms of compensation like travel vouchers.

Are weather-related delays eligible for compensation?

No, weather is considered an extraordinary circumstance and is not eligible for Kraków Airport compensation under EU 261.

Airport Cancellations

What should I do if my flight is cancelled at Kraków Airport?

Re-book on the next available flight right away and prepare to claim between €125 (£110) and €600 (£520) from the airline.

Am I entitled to compensation if my flight is cancelled?

Yes, provided the airline notified you of the cancellation fewer than 14 days before the scheduled departure and the airline is at fault.

What happens if the airline offers me a replacement flight after cancellation?

If it’s suitable to you, you should accept it to continue your journey. If not, ask for a full refund.

Can I choose a refund instead of rebooking after a cancelled flight?

Yes, the airline should give you that option.

Is compensation different if I was informed of the cancellation in advance?

Yes, compensation varies based on the notice period. When the airline advises you of a cancellation more than 14 days ahead of time, no compensation is possible. Between 7 and 14 days, it ranges from €125/£110 and €600/£520, and less than 7 days, between €250/£220 and €600/£520.

Does a cancellation due to extraordinary circumstances still qualify for compensation?

No, extraordinary circumstances are like a get-out-of-jail-free card for airlines. Although you generally can’t claim EU261 compensation, you still have the right to care while you wait for another flight.

Other Flight Disruptions at Kraków Airport

What counts as an "airport disruption"?

For compensation purposes, an airport disruption is anything that prevents your flight from operating as normal. For Kraków Airport EU261 compensation to apply, the cause of the disruption must be directly linked to the airline.

What are my rights during airport disruptions such as strikes or technical failures?

Passengers are entitled to care during delays. The threshold wait time depends on the flight distance, starting at 2 hours. Care includes meals and phone calls, and can extend to hotel stays and transport for overnight delays. Also, if the airline is at fault for the strike or technical issue, claim up to €600 (£520).

Who is responsible for compensating passengers during airport disruptions – the airline or the airport?

Regulation EU261 puts the onus on the airline to compensate disrupted passengers.

Can I get compensation for delays caused by airport staff strikes?

Generally, no, other than the right to care, such as drinks, meals, and accommodations. Since the airline has no control over the airport staff, it’s considered an extraordinary circumstance, which is an exception to EU261 compensation.

What if an airport security issue caused my flight to be delayed or cancelled?

The airline will re-book you on another flight at no charge if the flight is cancelled, and if you’re stuck at Kraków Airport for between 2 to 4 hours (or more), you are entitled to care and assistance.

How can I check if I'm eligible for compensation after a disruption at Kraków Airport?

Head to the AirAdvisor homepage and click on “Check Compensation” after entering your flight details.

Amy Lancelotte

Author:

Amy Lancelotte

Job/Position: Editor

Amy Lancelotte is a writer, editor, and content strategist with seven years experience writing about travel and related topics. Born and raised in Canada, she has spent several years living and working as a digital nomad in England, Italy, and France, and has spent more time in airport departure lounges than she wants to think about.

Flight Compensation Calculator

Flight Compensation Calculator:

Check if you are entitled to flight delay compensation in just 3 minutes.
Free Instant Check

Free Instant Check

Free Instant Check

No Win, No Fee

John Paul II International Airport Krakow-Balice Airport on the map

Your privacy is protected — insured for $1M

We protect your personal data with up to US$1 million in insurance coverage from Hiscox (AAA-rated provider), including cyber protection up to $50,000. You’re covered. View proof of insurance.

Claim compensation

AirAdvisor has been featured in:

  • CNN
  • Forbes
  • USA Today
  • Mirror