AirAsia delays: Know your rights
Flying with budget airlines like AirAsia (founded in 1993, headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malasia) 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 AirAsia 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 AirAsia 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 AirAsia flight tracking
Looking at 8500 daily flights operated by AirAsia:
- 80% of flights departed on schedule.
- 3.8% were cancelled.
- 16.2% landed with delays.
Your EC 261 rights against AirAsia
Budget airlines must strictly adhere to the passenger rights established by law. You can claim from AirAsia if:
schedule
Delay > 3 Hours
If your AirAsia flight arrives at the destination gate over 3 hours late.
cancel
Cancellation
If AirAsia announces a cancellation less than two weeks before departure.
group_off
Overbooking
If AirAsia sold more tickets than seats and denies you boarding.
How much can AirAsia owe you?
Budget airlines like AirAsia mostly operate short-haul flights within Europe, where the standard €250 compensation applies, though longer flights earn more:
- euro_symbol€250: Most AirAsia flights (up to 1,500km).
- euro_symbol€400: For AirAsia flights between 1,500km and 3,500km.
- euro_symbol€600: Only applicable for flights over 3,500km.
AirAsia baggage issues
If your luggage doesn't appear on the carousel, report it to the AirAsia desk immediately and get a PIR form before leaving.
Action plan: AirAsia delays
Don't panic if your AirAsia flight is disrupted. Do this instead:
- 1 Save documents: Keep your AirAsia reference number and boarding pass safe.
- 2 Check the reason: Ask AirAsia staff why the flight is disrupted and note it down.
- 3 Ask for vouchers: Insist that AirAsia provides food and water if you wait more than 2 hours at the terminal.
- 4 Decline travel vouchers: AirAsia might offer air miles or small vouchers. Refuse them if you want cash compensation.
- 5 Keep receipts: Save receipts for taxis or hotels if AirAsia leaves you stranded overnight.
What if AirAsia cancels my flight?
You are legally entitled to either a full refund of your AirAsia 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 AirAsia
If you finally arrive at your destination with a delay exceeding 3 hours, AirAsia owes you money. The compensation is a fixed rate set by law.
Overbooked by AirAsia?
Like many carriers, AirAsia may occasionally overbook flights. If you are denied boarding, you are immediately eligible for compensation.
When is AirAsia exempt?
If the delay was caused by severe weather, airport security issues, or Air Traffic Control strikes, AirAsia is exempt from paying compensation. These are 'extraordinary circumstances'.
Strikes by AirAsia staff
If AirAsia'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 AirAsia?
You don't have to claim immediately. Most European jurisdictions allow you to claim for AirAsia flights disrupted in the last 3-5 years.
Why use our service for AirAsia 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 AirAsia, you pay us nothing.