Southwest Airlines offers compensation in the form of reimbursement for the travelers if their flights get delayed. The amount varies incredibly depending upon the time, that is how long the flight has been delayed.
Why Is Compensation Necessary?
Although keeping in mind the air traffic, weather disparities, and many other factors, flight delays and cancellations are not a big deal in air transportation. But it can be physically exhausting and mentally draining as it leads to skipping prior hotel or concert bookings or attending an extravagant event such as a marriage or business deal. This also can act as a bolt from blue to your pockets charging you with heavy losses. Therefore compensation is necessary and thankfully, is provided by Southwest Airlines. ..
Laws And Policies
Southwest Airlines provides compensation as it is compulsory legally. The law named EC 261 envelopes the rights of the travelers and provides passengers with the much-needed monetary support if their flight delays are grave enough. However, the reimbursement largely depends on the hourly delay of the flight.
If you are delayed by three or more hours on a flight, your airline may offer you a $ 700 or € 600 compensation. If the flight is canceled 14 days before the departure, passengers can rebook the very first flight available to their destination. The airline also offers $ 50 per hour for the delay. Unless the flight hasn’t been delayed by at least 90 minutes, passengers can’t receive compensation. The amount received is also directly proportional to the distance traveled.
For all flights under 1,500 km; the compensation provided is € 250 per person.For internal EU flights for the above-mentioned distance, the amount varies significantly to € 400 per person.For non-internal EU flights traveling a distance ranging from 1,500 to 3,500 km; the compensation is the same as above, that is, € 400 per person.For non-internal EU flights with a distance parameter of 3,500 km; the reimbursement given is € 600.
Reimbursement Provided
The airline provides various reimbursements to passengers, either in the form of a travel voucher or a monetary compensation. These reimbursements can be helpful in helping passengers to cover costs associated with traveling, such as airfare and hotels.
In the event that the visitor is not re-accommodated within 2 hours after the flight delay, he/she is entitled to receive more advanced compensation. They enjoy the special status of ‘ priority standby ’ and the price of the travel voucher offered increases from $ 300 to $ 1350 in addition to the amount of the ticket. The airline also serves the travelers with food, lodging, and drinks until they wait patiently.
When Isn’t Compensation Provided?
The following are some factors to consider before seeking compensation for a loss: -The severity of the injury -The extent of the damage -Whether the injury was caused by an intentional act or an accident -Whether the victim can prove that he or she was at fault ..
The airport staff are organizing strikes to protest the recent political unrest and security threats.
If your airline is unable to get you to your destination on time, they are not obligated to pay you for the inconvenience. This only applies if you’re flying out of the European Union. ..
How To Claim Compensations?
To claim compensation for a loss, follow these steps:
- Contact your insurance company or the government agency that is responsible for compensating victims of disasters.
- Fill out a claim form and provide as much information as possible about the incident, including the date, time, and location of the event.
- Send copies of all relevant documents to the insurance company or government agency.
- Wait for a response from either party confirming that your claim has been accepted and outlining the process for receiving compensation. ..
The website of Southwest Airlines offers a variety of ways to manage reservations. The ‘ Manage Reservations ’ icon allows you to fill in the booking details asked for. The ‘ Search ’ option provides on-screen instructions that help you apply for a refund.
Conclusion
The compensatory amount greatly depends upon the time of delay and the distance traversed as well. Although, the sum is also variable in case of certain exceptions and special cases. You can always look up the helpline number of the airlines for any further queries.
The helpline numbers for Southwest Airlines are 1-800-433-9237.
You can contact 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792) in the United States. Wait patiently as they generally reply in 48h or so. You can also write to the Refunds Department. The address is Southwest Airlines, Refunds Department, P.O. Box – 36649, Dallas, Texas (75235-1649). ..
A compensations claim must include documentation that proves the claimant is entitled to receive money. Documents that may be required for a compensations claim include, but are not limited to, a copy of the contract between the claimant and the company, receipts from sales or services rendered, and any other records that support your claim.
You would need the confirmation number, ticket number, and date of departure to travel.
