Croatia Airlines Flight Delay Compensation

Croatia Airlines flight delay compensation.

How to claim for delayed flight? And how much can you get?

There are situations when you are entitled to flight delay compensation from Croatia Airlines. If your Croatia Airlines flight is heavily delayed due to the airline’s fault, you might get compensation. It doesn’t matter what is your age, nationality, flight ticket price, and whether or not you have travel insurance. All travellers in the EU are protected under the law, and Croatia Airlines has to follow these laws. How to claim compensation for a delayed flight?

One of the options is to let professionals deal with this.

Or, you can pursue flight delay compensation on your own.

1. Croatia Airlines Flight Delay Compensation: EU Regulations

Overall, the EU flight delay compensation rules are simple.

You might be entitled to flight delay compensation, if you reach your destination at least 3 hours later than scheduled, and the delay is due to the airline’s fault.

If you’re flying to or from Europe, your flight is delayed for 3 or more hours, and the delay is due to the fault of Croatia Airlines, you are eligible to compensation of up to €600.

Could you be entitled to Croatia Airlines flight delay compensation?

Yes, if your flight meets these requirements:

• It’s a 3+ hour delay;
• It’s due to the fault of Croatia Airlines;
• Flight is to/from Europe (EU, EEA, UK).

So, all the above mentioned rules apply to all Croatia Airlines delays and cancellations.

In some situations you are protected under the EU law if your flight is with a non-EU airline (Qatar Airways, Qantas, Delta Air Lines, Etihad, Turkish Airlines, etc.). However, in this case, only if your flight departs from the EU.

By Europe and EU here on this page (and on this website in general) we mean all EU Member States, the United Kingdom (UK), Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion, Mayotte, Saint Martin (French Antilles), the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.

1.1 Extraordinary Circumstances

There are situations when you aren’t eligible for compensation. 

Flights delayed due to “extraordinary circumstances” are not eligible to compensation.

Extraordinary circumstances are events out of airline’s control, such as bad weather, some strikes, civil and political unrest, security issues, terrorism threat and similar situations. If your Croatia Airlines flight is delayed due to one of these events, you aren’t entitled to compensation. It is because Croatia Airlines has no control over these events. That’s why it is not responsible for flights delayed due to extraordinary circumstances.

What about strikes? Which strikes are considered extraordinary circumstances? No, not all strikes are extraordinary circumstances. When it comes to strikes, the EU guidelines are as follows: if an airline’s staff strikes, it is the airline’s responsibility. As a result, Croatia Airlines staff strikes are the airline’s responsibility.

Keep in mind that aircraft technical problems are not extraordinary circumstances.

One more thing to remember — always double check what you’re told.

Especially if you are claiming compensation on your own. To avoid paying compensation, airlines often tell their passengers wrong reasons for delay, and wrongly refuse compensation claims. You always need to ask for proof, and be persistent if you are claiming compensation yourself. 

If this sounds like a lot of hassle, work with a flight compensation company. They can check your flight and claim compensation on your behalf (if it’s due). Our partners offer such services.

Just fill in the claim form on this website, and our partners will claim your compensation.

1.2 How to Calculate the Delay Time?

What really matters is the time of arrival to your destination.

This also applies to connecting flights (a flight itinerary with two or more flights). In this case, your destination is the final destination. To calculate the delay time, see how much later you arrive at your final destination, your final stop. If you have a connecting flight London — Frankfurt — Split, your final destination is Split. You have to check how much later you arrive in Split.

Flight delay time is calculated based on the actual time of arrival to your destination, specifically, when the doors of the airplane are opened. If the doors are opened 3 or more hours after the original arrival time, you can get compensation. Keep in mind that you can’t calculate the delay time based on the time of departure.

1.3 Right to Care

In Europe you also have a right to care.

When your flight is delayed for 3+ hours, and you have to wait at the airport, you have a right to care. This also applies to flight cancellations and overbooking.

Croatia Airlines must offer you free meals and drinks in a reasonable relation to the waiting time, two free phone calls, e-mails or faxes. If the flight is delayed overnight, you should be offered accommodation and transportation from and to the airport as well. In Europe all passengers are eligible for this type of care from the airline.

2. How to Claim Croatia Airlines Compensation For Delayed Flight?

How to claim flight delay compensation Croatia Airlines owes you?

There are two ways you can do it online.

One of the options is to contact Croatia Airlines yourself. Use the contact form on Croatia Airlines website to request flight delay compensation from the airline. Or write an email to one of the email addresses mentioned on the website. Refer to the European flight compensation regulation, EC Regulation 261/2001, and make sure you mention your rights. Keep in mind that it might take a while until the airline gets back to you. It might take a few months until you receive your compensation.

The second option is — legal representation.

It’s the easiest of the two options.

In this case everything is done by a team of legal professionals — a flight compensation company. All you have to do is to fill in one form (compensation claim form). Once your claim is registered, the company will take it from there and pursue compensation for you. Our partners offer such services.

Read more:

• How to Claim Croatia Airlines Compensation?
• Croatia Airlines Missed Connection Compensation
• Your Croatia Airlines Compensation Claim Is Rejected. Now What?
• Your Croatia Airlines Flight Is Delayed. Should You Wait at Home?

2.1 How Long Does It Take?

No matter how you proceed, it isn’t a short process. 

If everything goes well, you might get compensation after 2-3 months. But more often than not compensation claim process takes more than 2-3 months. Airlines often refuse to cooperate, and cases have to be taken to a national enforcement body or even court, for the outcome to be successful. All of it takes time.

3. How Much Can You Claim?

The compensation amount is fixed and range from €250 to €600.

How to calculate your Croatia Airlines delayed flight compensation?

Use this simple flight delay compensation calculator.

When your destination is within the EU/UK:

When your destination is outside the EU/UK:

There’s one exception. When the flight distance is 3500+ kilometres and you reach your destination 3 to 4 hours later than planned, you are entitled only to 50% of the compensation amount (that means €300, not €600).

3.1 Croatia Airlines Voucher Refund or Cash?

You might be offered a voucher or coupon instead of compensation.

You don’t have to accept any vouchers or coupons from Croatia Airlines. Unless, of course, you want to have a coupon. Normally, in Europe, airline compensations and refunds are paid in cash or by bank transfer.

Croatia Airlines Flight Delay Compensation: FAQ

EU – Non-EU Flights, Tourists

Other Situations

What is your experience? Have you ever received Croatia Airlines flight delay compensation? Do you still have questions about Croatia Airlines compensation claim procedures and policies? Ask in the comments.