Qatar Airways strike compensation within Europe.
Which Qatar Airways flights are covered? When can you get compensation?
Many travelers don’t know that strikes are not always classified as extraordinary circumstances. If the Qatar Airways crew (excluding airport staff) decide to strike, leading to delayed or cancelled flights, passengers may be qualified to get flight compensation from Qatar Airways. You can claim this compensation on your own or work with a flight compensation company.
Please note that EU regulations apply only to Qatar flights departing from Europe.
1. Qatar Airways Strike Compensation
The requirements for receiving Qatar Airways strike compensation are simple.
The flight must have been either delayed or cancelled:
- The flight delay should be a minimum of 3 hours, computed from when the airplane doors are opened at the destination, enabling passengers to exit. If there’s a delay of 3 or more hours past the expected arrival time, passengers may be eligible for flight delay compensation.
- The flight cancellation should be last-minute. This means that your flight must be cancelled up to 14 days prior to the departure date. If that’s the case, you may be entitled to Qatar Airways flight cancellation compensation (in addition to Qatar Airways refund for cancellation).
Basically, it’s not a specific compensation for Qatar Airways strikes (such compensations don’t exist in Europe), but rather compensation for delays or cancellations.
Also you must remember that Qatar Airways is not a European airline. As a result, European regulations only govern their flights departing from Europe.
What happens if you miss your connecting flight?
Qatar Airways will offer a complimentary replacement flight to assist you in reaching your destination. It’s their responsibility. If it’s a flight from Europe, you have a right to care, and in some cases, missed connecting flight compensation.
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.
1.1 Extraordinary Circumstances
Do bear in mind that airline staff strikes don’t come under extraordinary circumstances.
Just as mechanical problems and staff shortages aren’t classified as extraordinary circumstances.
However, airlines often justify a delay or cancellation as an extraordinary circumstance even when it’s not. It’s advisable to reach out to the airline for explication in the event of a flight delay or cancellation.
Airlines might tell you that a flight delay or cancellation resulted from extraordinary circumstances, even when it didn’t, to evade compensation payment. This is because airlines prefer extraordinary circumstances as they are relieved of the obligation to pay. Therefore, it’s advisable to confirm the information provided by the airline before accepting it. It’s suggested to double-check all details regarding flight compensation and refunds.
1.2 Right to Care
Whenever you have to endure an extended wait, you have a right to care.
This entitles you to certain complimentary services. For instance, if you wait at the airport for three or more hours, you might qualify for a free meal and drink. Additionally, if the delay extends more than three hours during evening hours, you could be eligible for free accommodation and airport transfers.
If you haven’t received any assistance, please contact Qatar Airways representatives at the airport.
As Qatar Airways is a non-European airline, these EU regulations apply only to Qatar Airways flights departing from the EU and the UK.
2. How to Claim Qatar Airways Strike Compensation?
There are two ways to file for Qatar Airways strike compensation.
To claim compensation for a Qatar Airways strike independently, you can reach out to Qatar Airways directly through their website and request compensation via their customer service team. However, be aware that this process can be time-consuming and may require negotiation to attain a satisfactory resolution.
Alternatively, you could opt for the simplest route — legal representation.
If you prefer to avoid all hassles, you can opt for legal assistance to resolve your issue. There are firms in Europe that specialize in compensation for flight-related issues and they can handle everything for you. You only need to fill out a single form, the compensation claim form.
Our partners offer such services. Details below.
When choosing this option, here is all you will have to do:
And that’s it — the rest is handled by professionals.
* Your boarding pass and passport or ID copy.
Read more: How to Claim Qatar Airways Compensation?
2.1 How Long Does It Take?
What is the anticipated timeline for receiving compensation?
The process usually lasts at least 2-3 months. Of late, there have been more cases where the process takes longer, especially if you file a claim independently and the airline elects to dismiss your claim.
It’s not a swift process, thus, don’t be surprised if it’s time-consuming.
3. How Much Can You Claim?
The compensation figures are pre-determined and vary between €250 to €600.
These figures are governed by the EU regulations.
Here is how you can calculate the amount of your Qatar Airways compensation:
When your destination is within the EU/UK:
€250
If the distance of your flight is
up to 1,500 km
€400
If the distance of your flight is between 1,500 – 3,500 km
When your destination is outside the EU/UK:
€250
If the distance of your flight is
up to 1,500 km
€400
If the distance of your flight is between 1,500 – 3,500 km
€600
If the distance of your flight is more than 3,500 km
As Qatar Airways is a non-European airline, these EU regulations apply only to Qatar Airways flights departing from the EU and the UK.
3.1 Qatar Airways Voucher Refund or Cash?
A number of airlines provide vouchers as a form of compensation.
This tends to be a popular method among airlines, as it is more cost-effective for them compared to offering cash refunds and compensation. However, you are entitled to decline the voucher and demand a cash or bank transfer refund instead. Airline compensation and refunds should be dispensed in cash or bank transfer, and it is crucial to always demand the compensation in this form. This is in accordance with the law in the EU.
However, keep in mind that Qatar Airways is not a European airline. As a result, European regulations only govern their flights departing from Europe.
Qatar Airways Strike Compensation: FAQ
My flight was cheap. I booked it during the sales. Can I still get full flight delay compensation?
Yes, absolutely.
That’s because the amount of compensation is fixed.
And the flight of your ticket won’t affect your chances of getting compensation. Nor the amount.
What if I don’t have a travel insurance? Can I still claim compensation?
For this you don’t need an insurance.
All thanks to the Regulation EC 261/2004 (and Regulation UK261).
All affected passengers can get compensation, even those who don’t have travel insurance.
Can my child get compensation from Qatar Airways?
Yes, absolutely.
Passenger’s age doesn’t matter, just like the price of the ticket and insurance. If the flight is delayed, all passengers have equal rights to care from the airline and flight compensation.
Can I claim compensation for someone else?
Yes, you can.
Even if you weren’t on that flight yourself.
The only thing to remember — you need to ask for a passport and boarding pass copy.
Apart from that, yes, you can file a claim for a disrupted flight for another person.
How far back can I claim compensation? Can I claim compensation for old flights?
It depends on the laws of the country.
In many European countries you can claim compensation even if your flight was 2-3 years ago. However, we would not recommend to wait that long. Make a claim as soon as you come back from your trip.
What to do if Qatar Airways is refusing to pay compensation?
Qatar Airways is refusing to pay compensation.
There are two options how you can proceed. You can hand over your case to a flight compensation company, for them to continue the negotiations with the airline on your behalf.
Or, you can contact the national enforcement body of the country your flight was from. There are national enforcement bodies in all the EU Member states.
EU – Non-EU Flights, Tourists
I’m flying to the EU from a country outside the EU. Can I get UK/EU flight delay compensation?
If you’re flying with Qatar Airways then no, you can’t.
When it comes to European laws, in case of Qatar Airways, you are protected only on their flights departing from Europe.
I’m flying from the EU to a country outside the EU. Can I get UK/EU flight delay compensation?
Yes, you can.
The same applies to all Qatar Airways flights from the UK.
I am not a European citizen. Can I get compensation?
Yes.
The European regulations protect all passengers. Passenger’s nationality doesn’t matter. Everyone has the same rights.
Other Situations
Qatar Airways provided me with a free hotel room and a free replacement flight to my destination. Can I still get compensation for my disrupted flight?
Yes, if the flight departed from the EU / UK.
You are entitled to both care from the airline and a new flight to your destination.
If your flight is eligible to compensation, in addition to that, you are entitled to compensation.
Qatar Airways took me to my destination. Can I still get compensation?
Did you arrive 3+ hours later than scheduled?
If yes, you might be entitled to flight delay compensation from Qatar Airways. As long as the flight was from a European airport and it was delayed due to the airline’s fault.
Have you ever had an experience with Qatar Airways strike compensation or flight refund? Do you still have questions about Qatar Airways compensation policies? Ask in the comments.