When you’re traveling in the European Union, you could be entitled to compensation if your flight is delayed or canceled without proper notice under EC 261. This includes any carriers operating in the EU, regardless of their headquarters. So, if you are flying with United Airlines, you may qualify. Here’s all you need to know.
What are Your Passengers Rights with United Airlines?
EU 261 protects your rights, regardless of the airline that you’re traveling on, as long as you’re in the European Union or meet other qualifying circumstances. Depending on the circumstances of your delay or cancellation, you have the right to a refund, rerouting, and care, including meals, accommodation, and more.
Flight Delay Compensation
When your flight is delayed more than two hours, you are entitled to basic care, including meals, refreshments, hotel accommodation and transportation (where applicable), and access to communication. If your delay is three hours or more, you can also request reimbursement and transportation to your point of origin.
You are also entitled to compensation, which can be paid as a non-fundable transportation voucher or refundable voucher.
- Flights up to 1,500 km: €250
- Flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km: €400
- Flights over 3,500 km: €600
Flight Cancellation Compensation
You may be entitled to additional compensation if you were notified of the cancellation less than two weeks before the departure and your new arrival and departure times are significantly different than your original times.
You’ll need to contact customer service to receive your compensation, which can be issued as non-refundable or refundable vouchers.
- Flights up to 1,500 km: €250
- Flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km: €400
- Flights over 3,500 km: €600
The amount may vary based on the type of compensation you request, and you might get a better value when you choose their transportation credit.
Calculate your compensation
What to Do in Case of Delays or Cancellations?
Unfortunately, cancelation and delays happen. Here’s all you need to know.
Delays
- If your flight is delayed, take note of your original departure time, the date of which you were notified, and any other information that is relevant.
- If your delay is two hours or more and you’re already at the airport, you are entitled to care. Work with customer service to receive meals, refreshments, accommodation, transportation, communication, and more, though what you are entitled to will depend on the length of your delay.
- After you get to your final destination, contact customer service to receive additional compensation. Depending on the length of your flight and the destination, you could be eligible for up to €600 in compensation.
Cancellation
- If your flight is canceled, take note of your original flight, the date you were notified, and any other information that could be helpful.
- If your cancelation occurred before you arrived at the airport, work with customer service to rebook your flight or rebook it yourself.
- If your flight was canceled while at the airport, work with customer service to help get you on the next available flight. If you are entitled to care, they should offer it to you at this point.
- Following your flight, contact customer service for additional compensation, providing all documentation. You could receive up to €600 in compensation.
United Airlines Refund Policy
If you’re travelling in Europe on United Airlines and face a delay or cancellation, you can claim compensation under EC 261. The issue had to be avoidable and within the airline’s control, and if so, you are eligible for up to €600 for your inconvenience. The amount of which depends on the circumstances of your flight issue.
This is on top of the refund you are entitled to if you are unable to continue your travels. United Airlines should provide either a full or partial refund, so after you get your money back, don’t forget to ask about EC 261.
Recently Disrupted United Airlines Flights
| Date | Airline (Flight number) | Route | Status | Your compensation |
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About United Airlines
United Airlines is one of the top three U.S. airlines, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. It was founded nearly 100 years ago, and since then, it has grown to include 839 aircrafts in its fleet and serve over 340 destinations across the world. It has hubs in Chicago-O’Hare, Denver, Guam, Houston-Intercontinental, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco, and Washington-Dulles.
United Airlines is one of the founding members of the Star Alliance, which connects nearly 30 airlines together under codesharing agreements to help connect you to your final destination. They service many domestic and international routes, including services to all six inhabited continents.
United Airlines Disruption Statistics
| Year | All Disrupted Flights | Cancelled Flights | Delayed Flights |
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Conclusion
United Airlines is covered under EC 261, but only when they are operating in Europe. If the delay occurs outside the European Union, you may not be covered, so it’s important to understand your rights. You could be eligible to claim up to €600 per passenger, but to get it, you have to contact their customer service team. This page was updated on June 2023.