Play delays: Know your rights
Flying with budget airlines like Play (founded in 2019, headquartered in Reikiavik, Islandia) is a great way to save money, but when disruptions happen, cheap tickets shouldn't mean losing your rights.
Under European Regulation EC 261, the price of your ticket does not matter. If Play delays your flight by more than 3 hours or cancels it at the last minute, you have the exact same right to claim up to €600 compensation as passengers flying first class.
Under European Regulation EC 261, the price of your ticket does not matter. If Play delays your flight by more than 3 hours or cancels it at the last minute, you have the exact same right to claim up to €600 compensation as passengers flying first class.
Today's Play flight tracking
Looking at 200 daily flights operated by Play:
- 86% of flights departed on schedule.
- 1.8% were cancelled.
- 12.2% landed with delays.
Your EC 261 rights against Play
Budget airlines must strictly adhere to the passenger rights established by law. You can claim from Play if:
schedule
Delay > 3 Hours
If your Play flight arrives at the destination gate over 3 hours late.
cancel
Cancellation
If Play announces a cancellation less than two weeks before departure.
group_off
Overbooking
If Play sold more tickets than seats and denies you boarding.
How much can Play owe you?
Budget airlines like Play mostly operate short-haul flights within Europe, where the standard €250 compensation applies, though longer flights earn more:
- euro_symbol€250: Most Play flights (up to 1,500km).
- euro_symbol€400: For Play flights between 1,500km and 3,500km.
- euro_symbol€600: Only applicable for flights over 3,500km.
Play baggage issues
If your luggage doesn't appear on the carousel, report it to the Play desk immediately and get a PIR form before leaving.
Action plan: Play delays
Don't panic if your Play flight is disrupted. Do this instead:
- 1 Save documents: Keep your Play reference number and boarding pass safe.
- 2 Check the reason: Ask Play staff why the flight is disrupted and note it down.
- 3 Ask for vouchers: Insist that Play provides food and water if you wait more than 2 hours at the terminal.
- 4 Decline travel vouchers: Play might offer air miles or small vouchers. Refuse them if you want cash compensation.
- 5 Keep receipts: Save receipts for taxis or hotels if Play leaves you stranded overnight.
What if Play cancels my flight?
You are legally entitled to either a full refund of your Play ticket or a re-routing to your destination. Furthermore, if you weren't warned 14 days in advance, you can claim extra cash compensation.
Long delays with Play
If you finally arrive at your destination with a delay exceeding 3 hours, Play owes you money. The compensation is a fixed rate set by law.
Overbooked by Play?
Like many carriers, Play may occasionally overbook flights. If you are denied boarding, you are immediately eligible for compensation.
When is Play exempt?
If the delay was caused by severe weather, airport security issues, or Air Traffic Control strikes, Play is exempt from paying compensation. These are 'extraordinary circumstances'.
Strikes by Play staff
If Play's own pilots or cabin crews go on strike, this is within the airline's control. You are entitled to claim compensation.
How long to claim from Play?
You don't have to claim immediately. Most European jurisdictions allow you to claim for Play flights disrupted in the last 3-5 years.
Why use our service for Play claims?
Claiming from budget airlines can involve endless automated emails and loops. We cut through the red tape. If we don't win your claim against Play, you pay us nothing.