Smartwings delays: Know your rights
Flying with budget airlines like Smartwings (founded in 1997, headquartered in Praga, República Checa) 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 Smartwings 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 Smartwings 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 Smartwings flight tracking
Looking at 450 daily flights operated by Smartwings:
- 80% of flights departed on schedule.
- 3.5% were cancelled.
- 16.5% landed with delays.
Your EC 261 rights against Smartwings
Budget airlines must strictly adhere to the passenger rights established by law. You can claim from Smartwings if:
schedule
Delay > 3 Hours
If your Smartwings flight arrives at the destination gate over 3 hours late.
cancel
Cancellation
If Smartwings announces a cancellation less than two weeks before departure.
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Overbooking
If Smartwings sold more tickets than seats and denies you boarding.
How much can Smartwings owe you?
Budget airlines like Smartwings mostly operate short-haul flights within Europe, where the standard €250 compensation applies, though longer flights earn more:
- euro_symbol€250: Most Smartwings flights (up to 1,500km).
- euro_symbol€400: For Smartwings flights between 1,500km and 3,500km.
- euro_symbol€600: Only applicable for flights over 3,500km.
Smartwings baggage issues
If your luggage doesn't appear on the carousel, report it to the Smartwings desk immediately and get a PIR form before leaving.
Action plan: Smartwings delays
Don't panic if your Smartwings flight is disrupted. Do this instead:
- 1 Save documents: Keep your Smartwings reference number and boarding pass safe.
- 2 Check the reason: Ask Smartwings staff why the flight is disrupted and note it down.
- 3 Ask for vouchers: Insist that Smartwings provides food and water if you wait more than 2 hours at the terminal.
- 4 Decline travel vouchers: Smartwings might offer air miles or small vouchers. Refuse them if you want cash compensation.
- 5 Keep receipts: Save receipts for taxis or hotels if Smartwings leaves you stranded overnight.
What if Smartwings cancels my flight?
You are legally entitled to either a full refund of your Smartwings 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 Smartwings
If you finally arrive at your destination with a delay exceeding 3 hours, Smartwings owes you money. The compensation is a fixed rate set by law.
Overbooked by Smartwings?
Like many carriers, Smartwings may occasionally overbook flights. If you are denied boarding, you are immediately eligible for compensation.
When is Smartwings exempt?
If the delay was caused by severe weather, airport security issues, or Air Traffic Control strikes, Smartwings is exempt from paying compensation. These are 'extraordinary circumstances'.
Strikes by Smartwings staff
If Smartwings'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 Smartwings?
You don't have to claim immediately. Most European jurisdictions allow you to claim for Smartwings flights disrupted in the last 3-5 years.
Why use our service for Smartwings 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 Smartwings, you pay us nothing.