Discovering that your Croatia Airlines flight is delayed can leave you wondering what your next steps should be. Should you head to the airport as originally planned or is it better to stay at your home or hotel? As you may already know, flight delays can range from a minor inconvenience of 30 minutes to a major holdup of 23 hours. That’s why it’s crucial to find out whether you really need to spend all this time at the airport waiting for Croatia Airlines to resolve the issue.
The answer to this question depends on several factors.
Read on to learn more.
Your Croatia Airlines Flight Is Delayed. Should You Wait or Proceed as Planned?
Your Croatia Airlines flight is delayed. What should you do?
Have you made it to the airport yet? Or are you still at your home or hotel?
Scenario 1 – You Are at the Gate, Waiting for Your Flight
You are patiently waiting at the gate for your flight when they announce that your flight has been delayed. So, what do you do now?
Stay put at the gate and pay attention to further notifications about the status of your flight.
Scenario 2 – You Are at the Airport, But You Haven’t Yet Gone Through Airport Security
Suppose you are at the airport, planning to go through security.
You find out that your flight is delayed. The best course of action here is to stay in your current location and not go through airport security yet. Before moving forward, ensure to confirm if there is a delay in the check-in time for your flight. In case of a delay in check-in, it is advisable to wait before going through airport security.
Wait patiently and only move forward when you receive further instructions.
Have you already checked in online?
Regardless, wait until check-in starts.
Scenario 3 – You Are at Home or Hotel
Check if the check-in time has been postponed.
This can be done by directly contacting Croatia Airlines or checking with the airport’s information desk.
In case of a delay in check-in, there’s no need to rush to the airport. It’s okay to wait at your hotel or home. However, if the check-in time remains unchanged, it’s recommended to stick to your initial plan and proceed to the airport on time.
If the check-in time is delayed, hold on for now.
If check-in is not delayed — proceed to the airport as scheduled.
How to Check Croatia Airlines Flight Status Online?
There are multiple ways to monitor your flight status on the internet:
- The departure airport’s official website is a suitable place to start;
- Alternatively, you can visit the Croatia Airlines website (croatiaairlines.com);
- You can also use flight tracking platforms such as Flightradar24.
It’s important to be updated about your flight’s status before heading to the airport, especially for early flights. An unwelcome surprise could be getting to the airport at the break of dawn only to learn that your flight has been delayed or cancelled, leading to extensive wait times. To avoid this inconvenience, it’s advisable to confirm the flight status upon waking up and to recheck it before leaving your accommodation to accommodate any last-minute changes.
Travellers usually discover flight delays:
- Via text message or email from the airline informing them about the delay;
- By checking the flight status online;
- Upon arrival at the airport, or even at the departure gate.
What If You Are Going to Miss a Connecting Flight Due to a Flight Delay?
If you have a connecting flight with Croatia Airlines, you are protected in case you miss your connection. Croatia Airlines will help you find a substitute flight at no added cost, eliminating the need for you to scramble for an alternative flight. If you miss a connecting flight, you can always seek help from the Croatia Airlines personnel at the airport.
However, in the case of a self-transfer flight, the burden of managing a missed connection is on you, meaning you’ll have to arrange and pay for a new flight. But, if your Croatia Airlines flight faces a delay or cancellation, you could be eligible for Croatia Airlines flight delay compensation or Croatia Airlines flight cancellation compensation, depending on the situation.
Right to Care at the Airport
Passengers who must wait at the airport due to a flight delay, cancellation or denied boarding have a right to certain services (this is called the right to care).
- During a brief delay of 3 hours or more during daylight, Croatia Airlines should offer free food and beverages, as well as two forms of communication (like phone calls, emails or faxes), usually through vouchers.
- In case of an overnight delay, Croatia Airlines needs to offer free lodging, transport between the airport and the hotel, and one or two meals at no additional charge.
If you don’t receive these benefits, reach out to Croatia Airlines for support.
Could You Be Entitled to Croatia Airlines Flight Delay Compensation?
Absolutely, you could be eligible for Croatia Airlines flight delay compensation.
If your flight has been delayed for over three hours, or if it has been cancelled without at least 14 days’ notice, you may qualify for compensation of up to 600 euros under EU law, unless the delay or cancellation was due to extraordinary circumstances.
This right is applicable regardless of the ticket price and the nationality. It’s important to keep your boarding pass and other travel documents, as you may need them when claiming compensation. If you need help with the process, there are services available that can assist you in claiming your compensation from Croatia Airlines. Our partners offer such services.
Can You Get Flight Delay Compensation in Case of a Croatia Airlines Strike?
If your Croatia Airlines flight is delayed or cancelled owing to a strike, there are two possibilities – either it’s a strike by Croatia Airlines’ staff or another type of strike.
If the strike is initiated by airport personnel, air traffic control, or a labour strike that does not directly involve Croatia Airlines, you will not be eligible for compensation. This is considered an extraordinary circumstance, and airlines are usually not held responsible.
However, if the strike is by Croatia Airlines’ own employees, the airline will most likely have to compensate passengers. Always verify the specific circumstances surrounding your delay or cancellation, and double-check the airline’s information.
Read more: Croatia Airlines Strike Compensation
Can You Get Delay Compensation in Case of Technical Problems with the Airplane?
Yes, if your Croatia Airlines flight is delayed due to technical issues with the aeroplane, you may be eligible for flight delay compensation. In most cases, these issues are not considered extraordinary circumstances.
However, there might be exceptions in certain instances, such as if the technical problems were caused by hidden manufacturing defects.
What is your experience with Croatia Airlines flight delays? Have you ever experienced a flight delay with Croatia Airlines? How did the airline resolve the situation?