If you have to wait at the airport, you have a right to care.
Primarily, this implies complimentary food and accommodation during your wait.
If there is an unexpected change, last-minute cancellation, or delay in your Qatar Airways flight, you are eligible for certain free services. If the waiting period extends to 3 hours or more, you should be served free meals and beverages. In case of an overnight delay, Qatar Airways is obliged to provide you with a free hotel stay.
Keep in mind that these EU regulations apply only to Qatar flights from EU and the UK.
Right to Care From Qatar Airways
On certain Qatar Airways flights, you have a right to care from Qatar Airways.
European law safeguards passenger rights, ensuring that Qatar Airways must provide necessary care on specific flights. While most flights to and from the European Union fall under this law for European airlines, for Qatar Airways it applies to their flights from Europe.
This is enforced under Regulation (EC) No 261/2004.
As Qatar Airways is a non-European airline, these EU regulations apply only to Qatar Airways flights departing from the EU and the UK.
Short Delays (3+ Hours)
You are entitled to: meals and refreshments.
For delays of three hours or more that still fall within the day and are reasonably short, Qatar Airways is bound to offer you free meals and beverages. You are also allowed two free phone calls, emails, or faxes. These are provided in the form of vouchers.
Long Delays (Overnight)
You are entitled to: meals, drinks, hotel stay and airport transfer.
In case your flight is delayed overnight, Qatar Airways will offer you complimentary accommodation, airport transfers, meals, and drinks. If you haven’t been updated about these arrangements, please get in touch with Qatar Airways at the earliest.
How to Get Free Food and Free Hotel Accommodation?
During an extended wait at the airport, Qatar Airways should provide amenities such as free meals, free accommodation, and free airport transfers. You do not need to ask for these; they should be given to you in the waiting period.
If these facilities aren’t offered, it’s crucial to approach the Qatar Airways customer service counter and ask about them. As per European law, the airline has the obligation to provide these services free of charge for qualifying delays.
If the airline does not organize these services for you, you might have to take care of them yourself. Keep all bills and proof of purchase related to meals, beverages, transfers, and hotel stays. Once you have these, you can request a reimbursement from Qatar Airways, outlining your expenses during the delay. Make sure you submit all necessary details to ease the reimbursement process.
As Qatar Airways is a non-European airline, these EU regulations apply only to Qatar Airways flights departing from the EU and the UK.
Extraordinary Circumstances
Let’s start by understanding the term.
What Are Extraordinary Circumstances?
Extraordinary circumstances encompass events that the airline can’t control, leading to flight delays, cancellations, or changes. These might include severe weather conditions, strikes unrelated to the airline, security threats, political unrest, or hidden manufacturing defects that affect flight safety.
In these situations, despite the inconvenience experienced, the airline is exempt from providing compensation as per Regulation (EC) No 261/2004.
However, the right to care, as described above, still stands.
Are Technical Problems Considered Extraordinary Circumstances?
Technical problems are generally not classified as extraordinary circumstances under Regulation (EC) No 261/2004. The regulation clearly mentions that normal operational technical issues aren’t considered extraordinary, as these are within the control of the airline.
These could consist of regular maintenance or minor repairs. Such issues fall under the airline’s standard responsibilities and therefore, cannot be used as a reason to evade providing compensation or care to passengers.
However, if it’s a hidden manufacturing defect and affects the safety of the flight, this may be classified as extraordinary. This is because these situations are rare, immediately endanger the safe operation of the aircraft, and are not part of the airline’s regular technical operations.
Right to Care in Extraordinary Circumstances
Passengers have a right to care even in extraordinary circumstances.
While Qatar Airways might not be required to provide compensation for delays or cancellations caused by factors beyond their control, they are still obligated to ensure your comfort during the waiting period. This obligation includes providing food, refreshments, and accommodation in case of significant delays and last-minute cancellation.
The same rule applies for providing alternate transportation if the flight gets cancelled – you have a right to that.
As Qatar Airways is a non-European airline, these EU regulations apply only to Qatar Airways flights departing from the EU and the UK.
Right to Care: FAQ
In this section, we aim to address common questions about the right to care during flight delays and cancellations when flying with Qatar Airways.
What Does “Right to Care” Mean?
The right to care is a set of obligations that airlines have towards their passengers when flight delays, overbooking, or cancellations occur. Under the law in Europe, airlines must ensure passenger comfort during such incidents, which may include providing complimentary meals, refreshments, and accommodation in instances of substantial delays.
What Should I Do If My Flight Is Delayed and I’m Entitled to “Right to Care”?
If you experience a delay of 3 hours or more with Qatar Airways, they should automatically provide you with services such as free meals, refreshments, and necessary accommodation if the delay extends overnight.
If these services aren’t provided, head to the Qatar Airways customer service desk at the airport. Alternatively, you can cover the costs personally and later claim for reimbursement. The earlier you file your claim, the better.
As Qatar Airways is a non-European airline, these EU regulations apply only to Qatar Airways flights departing from the EU and the UK.
Do I Have Right to Care If My Flight Is Canceled?
Yes, if your Qatar Airways flight is cancelled, you are entitled to the right to care.
This implies that Qatar Airways must provide meals, refreshments, and accommodation (if required), as well as another way to reach your destination (or a full refund). If the cancellation is due to the airline’s fault, you may also be entitled to compensation for the cancellation.
Keep in mind that this applies only to Qatar Airways flights from Europe.
Are There Exceptions to the Right to Care in Extraordinary Circumstances?
No, you have the right to care even in extraordinary circumstances.
If your flight is delayed or cancelled due to extreme weather, security concerns, or strikes, you are still entitled to free meals, refreshments, and accommodation if required.
How Can I Claim Reimbursement If I Had to Arrange My Own Meals and Accommodation?
If Qatar Airways did not provide meals, accommodation, or airport transfers and you had to arrange them yourself, save all your receipts and proofs of purchase. These, along with a detailed account of your expenses during the delay, can be submitted to Qatar Airways for reimbursement. Remember, only essential expenses are covered by this policy.
Also keep in mind that only flights from Europe are covered.
Because Qatar Airways is not a EU airline.
Is the Right to Care Applicable to All Qatar Airways Flights?
This is applicable to Qatar Airways flights departing from Europe.
This European law does not cover Qatar Airways flights arriving in Europe from outside the region. Flights operating in third countries aren’t covered as well.
Is This Applicable Only to European Nationals?
No, the right to care is applicable to all passengers, irrespective of their nationality.
The legislation granting passengers the right to care is Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 and Regulation UK261, devised by the European Union and the UK government. These regulations require any airline operating within Europe to provide care and compensation to affected passengers when necessary. Consequently, the right to care is applicable to all Qatar Airways passengers, regardless of nationality.
However, you must keep in mind that as Qatar Airways is a non-EU airline, this regulation applies only to flights departing from Europe and not those arriving in Europe from other parts of the world.
By Europe and EU here on this page (and on this website in general) we mean all EU Member States, the United Kingdom (UK), Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion, Mayotte, Saint Martin (French Antilles), the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.