New data from Bott and Co has revealed that many airlines are avoiding paying passengers the compensation they’re entitled to under EU Regulation 261. The research highlights that major airlines such as Vueling, Lufthansa, and Ryanair frequently use stalling tactics, forcing passengers into lengthy legal processes before compensation is paid.
Nearly Half of Passengers Face Delays in Receiving Compensation
The data from Bott and Co shows that 46% of compensation claims across various airlines require court proceedings to secure a settlement. This is despite the fact that the rules on compensation for delayed or cancelled flights under EU Regulation 261 have been in place for over a decade.
Shockingly, more than half of claims made in 2024 needed court intervention before airlines would pay up. Passengers often abandon their claims, frustrated by the airlines’ stalling tactics, or they turn to legal services like Bott and Co’s no-win, no-fee flight delay compensation offering.
Unfortunately, airlines are routinely ignoring or contesting thousands of legitimate claims. In many cases, they’ve already settled similar claims for the same flights but refuse to act unless taken to court.
By fully complying with the law, airlines could reduce the time needed to settle compensation claims and eliminate the need for legal action.
The Worst Offenders: Vueling, Lufthansa, Ryanair, and More
The research highlights the worst offenders in handling flight delay compensation claims:
- Vueling Airlines S.A. – 84% of claims require court proceedings to be issued.
- Deutsche Lufthansa AG – 76%
- Ryanair DAC – 74%
- Wizz Air UK – 70%
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines – 61%
- Virgin Atlantic Airways – 56%
Vueling Airlines tops the list, with 84% of claims requiring legal proceedings. British Airways and Jet2.com are among the best performers, with only 16% and 18% of claims needing court action.
On average, nearly half of all flight delay compensation claims across the listed airlines require court intervention to be resolved.
Real Passenger Stories: The Impact of Airline Stalling Tactics
Passengers such as Brett Mickelburgh, a Technology Management Consultant from Cambridgeshire, have faced significant obstacles in receiving compensation. After his Lufthansa flight was delayed, Brett filed a claim directly with the airline.
Despite his colleagues, who were on the same flight, receiving their compensation promptly, Brett encountered persistent delays and refusals from Lufthansa.
Only after engaging Bott and Co on a no-win, no-fee basis did Lufthansa settle the claim. However, this only occurred after Bott and Co initiated court proceedings.
In another case, a family flying with Vueling Airlines from Florence to Gatwick was diverted due to weather conditions.
Despite the disruption and lack of support provided by Vueling, their compensation claim was denied. The family, including two young children, one of whom is autistic, experienced further distress as Vueling continued to refuse compensation. After a year-long legal battle with Bott and Co, they eventually secured compensation.
What Passengers Can Do to Claim Flight Delay Compensation
If you’ve experienced a delayed or cancelled flight, you may be entitled to flight delay compensation under EU Regulation 261. However, as this data shows, many airlines delay or deny legitimate claims, forcing passengers to turn to legal services to receive compensation.
Bott and Co offers a no-win, no-fee service for flight delay compensation, with no extra charges if the case goes to court. Bott and Co covers all legal fees, ensuring that passengers can seek compensation without financial risk.
This data underscores the challenges passengers face when trying to receive fair compensation for flight delays and cancellations. The high rate of court involvement points to a systemic issue with how airlines handle compensation claims
If you’ve experienced a flight delay or cancellation and are struggling to get compensation, Bott and Co can help.