Icelandair EU261/2004 Question
Jun 26, 2017, 2:04 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 376
Icelandair EU261/2004 Question
I searched but did not find this answered elsewhere...trying to determine to what extent I am covered by EU261/2004 legislation for a recent itinerary on FI.
Bottom line: I arrived in USA 17h50m later than originally scheduled due to a cancelled HEL-KEF flight. Am I justified to seek the full 600€ compensation? Or, does the compensation not apply to the second leg (KEF-PHL) because it was between 2 non-EU countries? I read conflicting info about whether EU261/2004 applies ex-Iceland or not.
Long version: Sat 24JUN - booked to fly HEL-KEF-PHL (one continuous journey on same ticket). FI343/HEL-KEF was initially delayed 7h55m due to a late arrival of the inbound aircraft (new arrival in KEF at 2355). This delay resulted in a nightstop at KEF, and not wanting to spend the whole next day waiting for the 1700 departure to PHL, we were rerouted on the 1030 departure to IAD (my original plans involved taking a train from Philly to DC on Sunday night so this was the least inconvenient option - despite not being able to go home in Philly for one day).
I received an email at 1911 stating that FI343 was now cancelled due to a fuel leak, after being at the airport over 6 hours (and over 3.5 hours past our scheduled departure time).
I phoned FI in Iceland and was booked on FI353/25JUN departing HEL at 0845, connecting onto FI647 to IAD that was part of my first rebooking).
FI provided us with a hotel, transport to the hotel, and meal vouchers for lunch and dinner.
Other than being told there would be a bus back to the airport in the morning, no one had any info about when/where/how this was arranged, so I booked a taxi for my companion and another couple. I will seek separate reimbursement for that expense.
Overall it worked out despite wasting an entire day sitting in the Helsinki Airport. The fleet is obviously stretched too thin for the summer schedule based on the number of operational problems they experienced over the past few days (based on their website banner).
Bottom line: I arrived in USA 17h50m later than originally scheduled due to a cancelled HEL-KEF flight. Am I justified to seek the full 600€ compensation? Or, does the compensation not apply to the second leg (KEF-PHL) because it was between 2 non-EU countries? I read conflicting info about whether EU261/2004 applies ex-Iceland or not.
Long version: Sat 24JUN - booked to fly HEL-KEF-PHL (one continuous journey on same ticket). FI343/HEL-KEF was initially delayed 7h55m due to a late arrival of the inbound aircraft (new arrival in KEF at 2355). This delay resulted in a nightstop at KEF, and not wanting to spend the whole next day waiting for the 1700 departure to PHL, we were rerouted on the 1030 departure to IAD (my original plans involved taking a train from Philly to DC on Sunday night so this was the least inconvenient option - despite not being able to go home in Philly for one day).
I received an email at 1911 stating that FI343 was now cancelled due to a fuel leak, after being at the airport over 6 hours (and over 3.5 hours past our scheduled departure time).
I phoned FI in Iceland and was booked on FI353/25JUN departing HEL at 0845, connecting onto FI647 to IAD that was part of my first rebooking).
FI provided us with a hotel, transport to the hotel, and meal vouchers for lunch and dinner.
Other than being told there would be a bus back to the airport in the morning, no one had any info about when/where/how this was arranged, so I booked a taxi for my companion and another couple. I will seek separate reimbursement for that expense.
Overall it worked out despite wasting an entire day sitting in the Helsinki Airport. The fleet is obviously stretched too thin for the summer schedule based on the number of operational problems they experienced over the past few days (based on their website banner).
Sep 12, 2017, 1:04 am
#5
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Melbourne, Australia
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Posts: 2,349
OP, I was just wondering how long it took for FI to deal with your EU261 claim, if indeed they have?
Submitted online over a month ago and have heard nothing. Followed up a couple of times via their Facebook chat and last time was told response time might be 6 weeks in high season. Does that fit your experience?
Submitted online over a month ago and have heard nothing. Followed up a couple of times via their Facebook chat and last time was told response time might be 6 weeks in high season. Does that fit your experience?
May 7, 2018, 4:04 pm
#6
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Treasure Coast, FL
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Posts: 4,578
Just to confirm Icelandair is required to pay EU 261 compensation?
MCO-KEF flight was canceled due to mechanical on 7 May and the friends are getting to their destination 24 hours later.
MCO-KEF flight was canceled due to mechanical on 7 May and the friends are getting to their destination 24 hours later.
May 7, 2018, 4:12 pm
#7
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May 7, 2018, 4:30 pm
#8
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Posts: 50,262
Yes. Although Iceland is not a Member State, Iceland applies EC 261/2004. Other examples of non-Member States applying the Regulation are Switzerland and Norway.
Note that Iceland does not necessarily apply interpretations of the Regulation by the ECJ and thus what may clearly not be an extraordinary circumstance for an EU carrier or a departure from the EU, might be one on FI.
Note that Iceland does not necessarily apply interpretations of the Regulation by the ECJ and thus what may clearly not be an extraordinary circumstance for an EU carrier or a departure from the EU, might be one on FI.
May 8, 2018, 8:13 am
#9
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Treasure Coast, FL
Programs: DL Diamond, Marriott LT Plat, HH Diamond, Avis Preferred Plus, National Executive
Posts: 4,578
Yes. Although Iceland is not a Member State, Iceland applies EC 261/2004. Other examples of non-Member States applying the Regulation are Switzerland and Norway.
Note that Iceland does not necessarily apply interpretations of the Regulation by the ECJ and thus what may clearly not be an extraordinary circumstance for an EU carrier or a departure from the EU, might be one on FI.
Note that Iceland does not necessarily apply interpretations of the Regulation by the ECJ and thus what may clearly not be an extraordinary circumstance for an EU carrier or a departure from the EU, might be one on FI.
appreciate the info.