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Bad Weather? Your Rights Still Apply

When storms, heavy fog, or snow cancellations, airlines may not owe cash compensation - but they must still take care of you. That means meals, refreshments, and hotel accommodation if an overnight stay is required.

Table of Contents

  • Bad Weather and Flight Disruptions: Passenger Rights Explained
  • Passenger Rights During Weather-Related Delays
  • Weather Disruptions: When You Can and Cannot Claim Compensation
  • Flight Disruptions Due to Bad Weather – FAQs

Bad Weather and Flight Disruptions: Passenger Rights Explained

When flights are disrupted by severe weather—such as heavy storms, snow, fog, or volcanic ash—it is usually treated as an extraordinary circumstance under EU Regulation 261/2004. This means airlines are generally not required to pay compensation, because the disruption is beyond their control.

However, even in cases of extreme weather, airlines still have clear obligations toward passengers. You are entitled to care and assistance, which may include meals, refreshments, accommodation for overnight delays, and rebooking options.

Passenger Rights During Weather-Related Delays

Weather delays are frustrating, but EU Regulation 261/2004 ensures passengers are still entitled to care during long waits. Your rights depend on flight distance and length of delay

Flight Distance
  • Up to 1500 km
  • 1500–3500 km
  • 3500+ km
  • All flights under EU 261/2004
  • All flights under EU 261/2004
Delay
  • 2+ hours
  • 3+ hours
  • 4+ hours
  • 5+ hours
  • Postponed to next day
Your Entitlement
  • Snacks, drinks, and 2 free calls or emails
  • Snacks, drinks, and 2 free calls or emails
  • Snacks, drinks, and 2 free calls or emails
  • Right to cancel your trip and request a full refund or alternative transport
  • Hotel accommodation + transport to/from airport

Even without cash compensation, airlines must provide basic care and assistance during severe weather disruptions.

Don’t let a missed connection cost you—check your claim in minutes.

Weather Disruptions: When You Can and Cannot Claim Compensation

Bad weather is one of the most common reasons for major flight delays and cancellations. Under EU Regulation 261/2004, weather-related disruptions are typically considered extraordinary circumstances — meaning airlines are not automatically required to pay compensation.

However, there are situations where passengers can still claim if the airline did not take all reasonable measures.

When You Can Claim Compensation

You may be entitled to up to €600 in compensation if:

  1. The airline failed to take adequate precautions.
    • Example: The flight was cancelled due to icing conditions, but other airlines departed safely because they had sufficient de-icing equipment and planning.
  2. Other airlines operated under the same conditions.
    • If carriers with similar routes and aircraft were able to fly, but yours was cancelled, it may indicate mismanagement by your airline.
  3. The disruption was worsened by operational or staffing failures.
    • Example: The weather caused minor delays, but your airline failed to rebook passengers efficiently or did not provide enough crew to operate once conditions improved
  4. The airline delayed re-routing unnecessarily.
    • Airlines must attempt to place you on the next available flight, including with other carriers. If they did not explore all reasonable alternatives, you may still have a claim.
When You Cannot Claim Compensation

Compensation is unlikely in these scenarios, as they are considered unavoidable:

  1. Severe and uncontrollable weather conditions.
    • Extreme storms, blizzards, hurricanes, volcanic ash clouds, or heavy fog making flying unsafe.
  2. Air traffic control restrictions due to weather.
    • If flights are grounded by airport authorities or air traffic controllers, this is outside the airline’s control.
  3. Widespread cancellations across all airlines.
    • If no carriers were able to operate from the affected airport during the disruption, compensation does not apply.
  4. Safety-first decisions
    • If operating the flight would have posed a significant safety risk, airlines are justified in cancellation. Passenger safety is always the legal priority.

The critical question is whether the disruption was entirely beyond the airline’s control, or whether poor planning, lack of resources, or slow action made the situation worse.

  • Beyond control = No compensation, only care (meals, accommodation, rebooking).
  • Partly airline’s fault = Compensation of €250–€600 depending on distance.

Flight Disruptions Due to Bad Weather – FAQs

In most cases, no. Severe or unsafe weather is considered an extraordinary circumstance under EU261, meaning airlines are not required to pay compensation if the disruption was truly beyond their control.

Even when compensation does not apply, airlines must still provide care, including:

  • Free meals and refreshments during long waits
  • Two free calls, emails, or messages
  • Hotel accommodation and transport if an overnight stay is required

Yes, but only if the disruption resulted partly from airline mismanagement. Example: The airline failed to prepare adequate de-icing equipment when other carriers operated safely.

Yes. Airlines must offer rerouting on the next available flight at no extra cost, or provide a full refund if you choose not to travel.

If other airlines operated under the same conditions, you may be eligible for compensation because the cancellation might indicate avoidable mismanagement.

Yes. Always check in unless officially informed otherwise. Missing check-in may affect rebooking, refund, or compensation eligibility.

If the delay is purely caused by severe weather, compensation generally does not apply. However, passengers must still receive food, drinks, and accommodation if required.

Yes. Airlines may arrange trains or buses for short-haul alternatives. You may also cancel your trip and request a full refund if replacement travel doesn’t suit you.

Time limits vary by country between 2 to 6 years. Example: Germany – 3 years, UK – 6 years.

Not compensation — but reimbursement may apply if the airline fails to provide the required care. Always keep receipts.

No. EU261 compensation (when eligible) is based on flight distance & delay time — not ticket cost.

Always keep:

  • Boarding pass & booking confirmation
  • Written airline communication
  • Receipts for expenses (meals, hotels, transport)