Martin Lewis has brought attention to a lesser-known six-year rule that could entitle you to compensation without your awareness.
During a segment on This Morning, the finance expert delved into the subject of flight compensation. While many are familiar with the fact that passengers are often eligible for financial compensation under EU law, now adopted by the UK post-Brexit, following significant flight delays, there is an important detail that may go unnoticed.
“If you experienced a flight delay or cancellation this summer, or within the last six years (five years in Scotland), you may be owed a fixed compensation amount of £520 per person, equating to over a grand for a family of four. This depends on factors such as the flight duration, delay length, and other considerations,” Martin informed Cat Deely and Ben Shephard on the show.
Therefore, it is worthwhile to review flights taken as far back as 2019 to check if any qualify for compensation. Tools like AirHelp can help you determine if you have funds owed to you at no cost.
Martin further outlined the eligibility criteria for compensation, stating that the flight must be UK or EU-regulated, either departing from or arriving at a UK or EU airport on a UK or EU airline. Additionally, a delay is considered if the arrival is three hours late or more, and cancellations within 14 days of the flight have specific rules.
He emphasized that for compensation claims, the airline must be at fault, which encompasses various scenarios beyond just direct airline issues.
In deciding whether to pursue a claim, Martin advised passengers to consider the circumstances, suggesting that extreme delays warrant compensation, while minor inconveniences may not justify a claim to avoid financial strain on airlines.