American Airlines Flight Cancellation Compensation

American Airlines flight cancellation compensation.

American Airlines flight cancellation refund. What is the difference? Which one are you entitled to? Can you get both? How much is compensation? These are the questions we are going to discuss. There are a number of reasons why airlines cancel their flights. If your American Airlines flight is cancelled due to the their fault, you might be entitled to a full refund from AA and compensation of up to €600. Yes, even though AA is not a European airline.

With American Airlines it applies to flights from the EU, and the UK.

There are two ways you can claim flight cancellation compensation.

1. American Airlines Flight Cancellation Compensation: EU Regulations

What happens if your American Airlines flight is cancelled?

What are your options? Can you get a new flight ticket? In which situations can you get American Airlines flight cancellation compensation?

According to EU law, flight cancellation procedures are very specific.

If you are notified of the cancellation 7 – 14 days before the departure:

• You choose a new flight offered by your airline, which departs not more than 2 hours before the original departure time and you reach your destination less than 4 hours after the original arrival time. In this situation you are not entitled to compensation.
• In other situations you are entitled to compensation.

If you are notified of the cancellation less than 7 days before the departure:

• You choose a new flight offered by your airline, which departs not more than 1 hour before the original departure time and you reach your destination less than 2 hours after the original arrival time. In this situation you are not entitled to compensation.
• In other situations you are entitled to compensation.

Could you be entitled to American Airlines compensation? 

Yes, if your flight meets these requirements:

• It’s a cancellation due to the fault of American Airlines;
• It’s a last-minute flight cancellation (0-14 days before departure);
• It’s a flight departing from the EU/EEA/UK.

American Airlines is an American airline. They have to comply with the European regulations only on their flights departing from Europe.

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

Sometimes reasons for flight cancellations are out of the airline’s control.

Situations like these are known as extraordinary circumstances. As these events are out of the airline’s control, the airline is not responsible for flights cancelled due to such events. In these cases, you aren’t entitled to flight cancellation compensation no matter how last-minute is the cancellation.

Extraordinary circumstances are: bad weather, natural disasters, strikes unrelated to the airline, terrorism threat, security issues at the airport, and civil unrest. If your American Airlines flight is cancelled due to any of this, you can’t get compensation.

And, yes, make sure to double check what you’re told.

Because not always airlines are telling the truth. To avoid paying compensation, airlines might wrongly deny compensation claims by saying wrong reasons for flight delay and cancellation. To avoid this, work with a flight compensation company. They can check your flight and claim compensation on your behalf.

1.2 Right to Care

Your American Airlines flight is cancelled last-minute.

Now you have to wait at the airport for a new flight.

If it’s a flight departing from a European airport, you have a right to care from the airline. As long as the waiting time is at least 3 hours.

American Airlines must offer you free meals and drinks in a reasonable relation to the waiting time, two free phone calls, e-mails or faxes. If your new flight is leaving only on the next day, a free hotel stay (including free transfer) must be offered.

It doesn’t affect your chances of getting compensation.

1.3 American Airlines Flight Cancellation Refund, American Airlines Refund Policy

And again, in Europe the rules are very specific.

Besides, they aren’t affected by American Airlines refund policy. As long as your flight departs from Europe you are protected by the EU Regulation No 261/2004 and the Regulation UK261. If your flight is cancelled, American Airlines must give you a choice between a new flight to your destination and full refund. 

If you choose a refund, it must be paid within 7 days.

Apart from that, you may still have a right to compensation.

Here’s an excerpt from the Regulation (EC) No 261/2004:

Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, Article 5

Cancellation

In case of cancellation of a flight, the passengers concerned shall: (a) be offered assistance by the operating air carrier in accordance with Article 8.

Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, Article 8

Right to reimbursement or re-routing

Where reference is made to this Article, passengers shall be offered the choice between: (a) – reimbursement within seven days (b) re-routing, under comparable transport conditions, to their final destination at the earliest opportunity.

It doesn’t cover cases when you cancel your American Airlines flight.

2. How to Claim American Airlines Compensation?

How to claim American Airlines flight cancellation compensation?

There are two ways how you can do it.

One of the options is to contact American Airlines directly. Use the contact form on American Airlines’s website to request flight cancellation compensation. Make sure you mention your rights in accordance to European law. Wait for your money. Keep in mind that it might take a while until you receive it. Unfortunately, it’s a lengthy process.

You can also take the easiest path — legal representation.

This is the easiest option. Fill in one form, and the rest will be done for you. Even if the airline refuses to cooperate or there are any other issues with your claim. Everything will be done for you. You don’t need to communicate with the airline’s representatives. 

Our partners offer such services. You can use the links below, if you prefer this option.

Read more:

• How to Claim American Airlines Compensation?
• Your American Airlines Refund Is Taking Forever. What Can You Do Next?
• American Airlines Missed Connection Compensation

2.1 How Long Does It Take?

It could take a few months.

If you are lucky, you might get compensation after 2-3 months.

It depends on the airline. Some airlines are quicker than others. Some airlines are less cooperative than others. If it’s the latter, then it could take a few months for them to finalize the compensation process.

Most people get their money within a few months. 

3. How Much Can You Claim?

The compensation amount in Europe is up to €600 per person.

Here is how you can calculate your American Airlines flight cancellation compensation:

When your destination is within the EU/UK:

When your destination is outside the EU/UK:

There’s one exception. When the flight distance is 3500+ kilometres and you reach your destination 3 to 4 hours later than planned, you are entitled only to 50% of the compensation amount (that means €300, not €600).

3.1 American Airlines Voucher Refund or Cash?

What if you are offered a voucher instead of compensation?

You don’t have to accept any vouchers, coupons or discounts. You are entitled to a bank transfer or cash. However, as with everything we have talked here, this applies only to American Airlines flights departing from Europe. On other flights you may not have a choice.

4. What Happens If a Flight Is Cancelled?

What to do if your American Airlines flight is cancelled?

First of all, contact American Airlines. You may have already received an email from them, explaining the situation and your options. See if the email contains information about replacement flights and flight cancellation refund. 

If you are already at the airport, and it’s a very last-minute cancellation, there’s nothing you can do but wait for an announcement from the airline. Stay at the public access area of the airport. There will be a new flight, and you will need to check in for that flight. If it’s an American Airlines flight departing from Europe, you will be given a choice between a new flight and full refund.

If it’s a flight from Europe, and it’s cancelled less than 2 weeks before departure date, you might also have a right to European flight cancellation compensation.

Do you need to be on time for another flight? If it’s a American Airlines connecting flight, don’t worry. If you miss your connection because your previous flight was delayed or cancelled, the airline will book you on another flight free of charge. It’s their responsibility.

But if it’s a self transfer (separately booked flights), and you miss your connection, you will need to book a new flight yourself. Airlines are not responsible for self-transfer flights.

American Airlines Flight Cancellation Compensation and Refund: FAQ

American Airlines Refund

EU – Non-EU Flights, Tourists

Other Situations

What is your experience? Have you ever received American Airlines flight cancellation compensation? Do you still have questions about American Airlines compensation claim procedures and policies? Ask in the comments.