Icelandair delays: Know your rights
Flying with budget airlines like Icelandair (founded in 1937, 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 Icelandair 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 Icelandair 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 Icelandair flight tracking
Looking at 600 daily flights operated by Icelandair:
- 81% of flights departed on schedule.
- 3.5% were cancelled.
- 15.5% landed with delays.
Your EC 261 rights against Icelandair
Budget airlines must strictly adhere to the passenger rights established by law. You can claim from Icelandair if:
schedule
Delay > 3 Hours
If your Icelandair flight arrives at the destination gate over 3 hours late.
cancel
Cancellation
If Icelandair announces a cancellation less than two weeks before departure.
group_off
Overbooking
If Icelandair sold more tickets than seats and denies you boarding.
How much can Icelandair owe you?
Budget airlines like Icelandair mostly operate short-haul flights within Europe, where the standard €250 compensation applies, though longer flights earn more:
- euro_symbol€250: Most Icelandair flights (up to 1,500km).
- euro_symbol€400: For Icelandair flights between 1,500km and 3,500km.
- euro_symbol€600: Only applicable for flights over 3,500km.
Icelandair baggage issues
If your luggage doesn't appear on the carousel, report it to the Icelandair desk immediately and get a PIR form before leaving.
Action plan: Icelandair delays
Don't panic if your Icelandair flight is disrupted. Do this instead:
- 1 Save documents: Keep your Icelandair reference number and boarding pass safe.
- 2 Check the reason: Ask Icelandair staff why the flight is disrupted and note it down.
- 3 Ask for vouchers: Insist that Icelandair provides food and water if you wait more than 2 hours at the terminal.
- 4 Decline travel vouchers: Icelandair might offer air miles or small vouchers. Refuse them if you want cash compensation.
- 5 Keep receipts: Save receipts for taxis or hotels if Icelandair leaves you stranded overnight.
What if Icelandair cancels my flight?
You are legally entitled to either a full refund of your Icelandair 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 Icelandair
If you finally arrive at your destination with a delay exceeding 3 hours, Icelandair owes you money. The compensation is a fixed rate set by law.
Overbooked by Icelandair?
Like many carriers, Icelandair may occasionally overbook flights. If you are denied boarding, you are immediately eligible for compensation.
When is Icelandair exempt?
If the delay was caused by severe weather, airport security issues, or Air Traffic Control strikes, Icelandair is exempt from paying compensation. These are 'extraordinary circumstances'.
Strikes by Icelandair staff
If Icelandair'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 Icelandair?
You don't have to claim immediately. Most European jurisdictions allow you to claim for Icelandair flights disrupted in the last 3-5 years.
Why use our service for Icelandair 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 Icelandair, you pay us nothing.