Wizz Air delays: Know your rights
Flying with budget airlines like Wizz Air (founded in 2003, headquartered in Budapest, Hungría) 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 Wizz Air 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 Wizz Air 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 Wizz Air flight tracking
Looking at 5100 daily flights operated by Wizz Air:
- 84% of flights departed on schedule.
- 2.8% were cancelled.
- 13.2% landed with delays.
Your EC 261 rights against Wizz Air
Budget airlines must strictly adhere to the passenger rights established by law. You can claim from Wizz Air if:
schedule
Delay > 3 Hours
If your Wizz Air flight arrives at the destination gate over 3 hours late.
cancel
Cancellation
If Wizz Air announces a cancellation less than two weeks before departure.
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Overbooking
If Wizz Air sold more tickets than seats and denies you boarding.
How much can Wizz Air owe you?
Budget airlines like Wizz Air mostly operate short-haul flights within Europe, where the standard €250 compensation applies, though longer flights earn more:
- euro_symbol€250: Most Wizz Air flights (up to 1,500km).
- euro_symbol€400: For Wizz Air flights between 1,500km and 3,500km.
- euro_symbol€600: Only applicable for flights over 3,500km.
Wizz Air baggage issues
If your luggage doesn't appear on the carousel, report it to the Wizz Air desk immediately and get a PIR form before leaving.
Action plan: Wizz Air delays
Don't panic if your Wizz Air flight is disrupted. Do this instead:
- 1 Save documents: Keep your Wizz Air reference number and boarding pass safe.
- 2 Check the reason: Ask Wizz Air staff why the flight is disrupted and note it down.
- 3 Ask for vouchers: Insist that Wizz Air provides food and water if you wait more than 2 hours at the terminal.
- 4 Decline travel vouchers: Wizz Air might offer air miles or small vouchers. Refuse them if you want cash compensation.
- 5 Keep receipts: Save receipts for taxis or hotels if Wizz Air leaves you stranded overnight.
What if Wizz Air cancels my flight?
You are legally entitled to either a full refund of your Wizz Air 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 Wizz Air
If you finally arrive at your destination with a delay exceeding 3 hours, Wizz Air owes you money. The compensation is a fixed rate set by law.
Overbooked by Wizz Air?
Like many carriers, Wizz Air may occasionally overbook flights. If you are denied boarding, you are immediately eligible for compensation.
When is Wizz Air exempt?
If the delay was caused by severe weather, airport security issues, or Air Traffic Control strikes, Wizz Air is exempt from paying compensation. These are 'extraordinary circumstances'.
Strikes by Wizz Air staff
If Wizz Air'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 Wizz Air?
You don't have to claim immediately. Most European jurisdictions allow you to claim for Wizz Air flights disrupted in the last 3-5 years.
Why use our service for Wizz Air 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 Wizz Air, you pay us nothing.