What Is Considered a Last-Minute Flight Cancellation? (You Can Get Compensation)

A last-minute flight cancellation happens when a flight is cancelled within 2 weeks of departure.

Last-minute cancellations can be a big hassle for passengers, leading to disrupted plans, extra costs, and the need to find other travel options. Fortunately, EU Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 protects passengers in such cases. If your flight is cancelled at the last minute, you are entitled to a refund and possibly compensation. If you’re at the airport during the cancellation, you have the right to care.

Check flight compensation online.

What Is Considered a Last-Minute Flight Cancellation? Why Do Last Minute Cancellations Happen?

A last-minute flight cancellation occurs within 2 weeks of the departure date.

If your flight is cancelled 0 to 14 days before departure, it’s considered a last-minute cancellation.

If your flight is cancelled 2 weeks before the departure date, it’s a last-minute flight cancellation. If your flight is cancelled 10 days before the departure date, it’s a last-minute flight cancellation. A same-day flight cancellation is also considered a last-minute cancellation.

Last-minute flight cancellations can happen for a variety of reasons. One common cause is poor weather conditions, such as heavy snow or severe thunderstorms, which may make it unsafe for the plane to take off or land. In these cases, airlines are required to cancel flights in order to ensure the safety of their passengers and crew.

Another reason for last-minute cancellations is mechanical issues with the aircraft. While airlines have strict maintenance protocols in place, unexpected problems can still arise that require a flight to be cancelled. This is done as a precautionary measure to prevent potential malfunctions during the flight.

In some cases, air traffic control may also issue delays or cancellations due to congestion or other issues within the airspace system. This can result in last-minute changes to flight schedules.

Lastly, unforeseen circumstances such as medical emergencies and security threats can also lead to last-minute cancellations.

What Are Your Rights if Your Flight Is Cancelled at the Last Minute?

Here’s what you are entitled to if your flight is canceled at the last minute.

1. If your flight gets cancelled, you have the right to receive a complimentary replacement flight to your destination.
2. If you have to wait a long time at the airport, you are entitled to care. If your flight is cancelled after you have arrived at the airport, and you have to wait for your new flight, the airline has to offer you certain services for free. If the wait is more than 3 hours, you’ll get a coupon for a free meal. If the wait is overnight, you’ll get a free hotel stay and airport transfer from your airline. You can get care even if your flight is cancelled due to extraordinary circumstances.
3. If you don’t wish to travel anymore, you have the right to cancel your journey altogether. In this case, you can get a full refund, either through a money transfer or a refundable voucher.
4. If your flight is cancelled at the last minute, you may be eligible for compensation. If the flight is cancelled within 2 weeks of the departure date due to the airline’s fault, you are entitled to flight cancellation compensation.

Last-Minute Flight Cancellation Compensation

You may have a right to flight cancellation compensation.

Your flight is cancelled 7 – 14 days before the scheduled time of departure:

• You choose a new flight offered by Wizz Air, which departs not more than 2 hours before the original departure time and you reach your destination less than 4 hours after the original arrival time. In this situation, you are not entitled to compensation.
• In other situations, you are entitled to compensation.

Your flight is cancelled less than 7 days before the scheduled time of departure:

• You choose a new flight offered by Wizz Air, which departs not more than 1 hour before the original departure time and you reach your destination less than 2 hours after the original arrival time. In this situation, you are not entitled to compensation.
• In other situations, you are entitled to compensation.

Conditions for claiming last-minute flight cancellation compensation:

• Cancellation must be due to the fault of the airline (e.g., technical problems, staffing issues, staff strikes etc.);
• Your flight must be to/from Europe;
• It must be a last-minute flight cancellation (less than 2 weeks before departure).

You can claim this compensation yourself by contacting the airline or using services of a flight compensation company.

Check flight compensation online.

Do you have more questions about flight compensation? Ask in the comments.