This is good to know if you are flying with easyJet (Image: Getty)
EasyJet passengers may be able to claim compensation, which is sometimes paid in vouchers. Though some cases may qualify for payment. And whether the disruption happened today or weeks ago, it’s still worth checking what you’re entitled to.
The airline says on its website that, depending on how long you’re delayed, it may issue refreshment vouchers worth £6 (or €9). For journeys of up to 1,500km, vouchers apply once delays reach two hours (such as London to Zurich). On routes of more than 1,500km, you’re entitled to vouchers after a three-hour delay (for example, London to Dubrovnik).
However, in a separate section, easyJet confirms you could be due compensation. The airline explains: “If your flight arrives more than three hours after the scheduled time of arrival, or is cancelled within 14 days of departure, or you are involuntarily denied boarding, you may be able to claim EC261 compensation. You can claim compensation here.
“If the cause of your delay or cancellation is classified as an Extraordinary circumstance (like an air traffic control strike or bad weather), you will not be entitled to EC261 Flight Compensation.”
To check what you are entitled to, you can read easyJet’s notice of rights for delayed and cancelled flights. It adds that passengers “must apply directly to us to receive your compensation.”
Keep your receipts
The airline says that if it can’t provide vouchers for any reason, it will reimburse the same amount, provided you have suitable receipts. If your delay lasts more than five hours, you can move your flight to a later date (subject to seat availability) or cancel and request a full refund.
To cancel or change your flight, it asks people to speak to easyJet’s Ground Crew at the airport or contact its Customer Service team.
Overnight delays
Sometimes a delay means passengers can’t fly until the next day. If that happens, easyJet says its ground staff will arrange overnight accommodation for each passenger.
EasyJet advises: “Please wait at the airport to be given the details of the hotel and the transport available to get there. We will provide transport between hotels and the airport where possible.
“If you do not require a hotel and would prefer to return to your own accommodation, we may be able to reimburse the cost of reasonable transport to a local address, such as public transport or a shared taxi.” If this occurs, travellers should retain their receipts and fill in this form to submit a claim.
The airline says that if passengers book and pay for a hotel themselves when the airline could have arranged one free of charge, it won’t be able to refund those costs. It also notes that if it can’t provide transport, it will cover reasonable travel such as taxis, buses or local metro services to and from the airport – but it won’t pay for excessive options like private limousines.
Stressing to passengers to “please keep all receipts to claim back your expenses”, it confirms, where possible, they will arrange for the hotel to provide an evening meal (excluding alcohol) and breakfast. If the hotel can’t offer food, easyJet will reimburse you up to £25 per person, per day (or the equivalent in euros/Swiss francs).
Food on a flight? Save your money
Money Saving Expert (MSE) has also shared a few handy tips to help keep your holiday and flight as stress-free as possible.
It suggests: “Mid-air picnics are perfectly within the rules – it’s only liquids over 100ml that are banned for security reasons. Protect your pennies and plan ahead – stocking up on snacks could save a fortune compared to flight prices, and even prices in the shops after security. For instance, when we checked, an Easyjet meal deal (sandwich, soft drink and snack) cost £9.75.
“Even at inflated airport prices, a Boots meal deal is around £5. Bringing your own food may mean you win on taste as well as price.”
You could be owed £100s in compensation
Founded by Martin Lewis, MSE also noted that passengers could still claim – even if the delay was years ago. Surprisingly, it said: “If you’re delayed more than three hours, or your Easyjet flight is cancelled, you could be entitled to up to £520 in compensation. You’ve got six years to claim (five in Scotland).
“Whether you can claim depends on factors such as where your plane took off from, when it arrived and whether the delay was the airline’s fault.
“In July 2024, a major court ruling clarified that pilot sickness does count as airline fault (and not an ‘extraordinary circumstance’). This has opened the door for a huge number of retrospective claims, including some which were previously rejected. See our MSE News story: Landmark court ruling opens door to 100,000s of ‘crew sickness’ flight compensation claims.”
For more information on delays, compensation and what you are entitled to, visit the official easyJet website here.