Volotea Flight Cancellation Compensation

Volotea flight cancellation refund.

Volotea flight cancellation compensation. What is the difference between compensation and refund? Which can you get? When are you entitled to both? How much is compensation? These are the main questions we are going to discuss in this article. There are numerous reasons why airlines cancel their flights. All you need to know is, if your flight is cancelled due to the airline’s fault, you may be entitled to both – a refund from Volotea and compensation of up to €600.

It applies to most Volotea flights to and from the EU.

There are two ways you can claim flight cancellation compensation.

1. Volotea Flight Cancellation Compensation: EU Regulations

What happens if your Volotea flight is cancelled?

Will you get a new ticket to your destination? What about refund? Are you entitled to 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 scheduled time of 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 scheduled time of 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 Volotea flight cancellation compensation? 

Yes, if your Volotea flight meets the following conditions:

• Cancellation must be due to the fault of Volotea;
• It must be a last-minute flight cancellation (up to 14 days before departure);
• Flight must be to/from Europe (EU, EEA countries and the UK).

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. In such cases, you aren’t entitled to flight cancellation compensation no matter how last-minute is the cancellation.

If your Volotea flight is cancelled due to bad weather, national strike, terrorism threat, political or civil unrest, security issues at the airport, or similar issues, you can’t get flight cancellation compensation from Volotea. 

What about strikes? Not all strikes are extraordinary circumstances. If your Volotea flight is cancelled due to a Volotea staff strike, you will most likely get compensation from the airline, since this is considered to be the carrier’s responsibility. However, if a countrywide strike causes a delay or cancellation, it will be considered extreme circumstances (over which the airline has no control).

Keep in mind that various technical issues aren’t considered extraordinary circumstances. 

One more thing to remember — double check what you’re told.

Because not always airlines are telling the truth. 

To avoid paying compensation, airlines often refuse by saying that the flight was cancelled due to “extraordinary circumstances”, even if it wasn’t. If you are claiming compensation on your own, be prepared for that. Ask for proof, or hand over your case to a flight compensation company. They will check your flight and claim compensation on your behalf. Our partners offer such services. 

1.2 Right to Care

Your Volotea flight is cancelled last-minute.

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

In this case you have a right to care from the airline. According to the EU Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, all passengers in the EU a have a right to care. As long as the waiting time at the airport is at least 3 hours. What does it mean for you?

Volotea 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 Volotea Flight Cancellation Refund, Volotea Refund Policy

And again, the rules are very specific.

If your Volotea flight is cancelled, you have the option of requesting a replacement flight or a full refund. The replacement aeroplane ticket must be issued at no cost. If you choose the cancellation refund, you must pay in full. These are the EU’s legislation. Internal Volotea policies (Volotea refund policy) do not affect these laws.

It makes no difference why your flight is cancelled. If your flight is cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances, you may still request a refund or a replacement flight.

Refunds have to be paid within 7 days (by bank transfer).

You don’t have to agree to a Volotea voucher refund.

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 Volotea flight yourself.

2. How to Claim Volotea Compensation?

There are two ways how you can claim Volotea flight cancellation compensation.

One of them is more time-consuming, the other – easier.

One of the options is to contact Volotea directly. Use the contact form on Volotea’s website, or the chat option to contact the customer support centre and request compensation for cancellation. When submitting a Volotea flight compensation claim refer to Regulation (EC) No 261/2004. Request the right compensation amount (see below). 

If you are claiming compensation yourself, be prepared that it may take a few months, and possibly, several reminder emails, until you receive your compensation. Airlines are not that cooperative, and often avoid paying compensation.

You can also take the easiest path — legal representation.

If the first option sounds like a hassle, this option is ideal for you. In this case everything is handled by a flight compensation company. You don’t have to contact Volotea at all. You need to fill in one form (EU flight cancellation compensation claim form) to register your Volotea compensation claim. And that’s it. The rest is done by the company. 

Our partners offer such services.

Read more: 

• How to Claim Volotea Compensation?
• Your Volotea Refund Is Delayed. How Can You Address It?
• Volotea Missed Connection Compensation

2.1 How Long Does It Take?

If everything goes well — 2 to 3 months.

2 to 3 months from the moment you file a compensation claim until your Volotea flight cancellation compensation is transferred in your bank account. 

But it’s not always the case. If the airline refuses to cooperate, you will need to take your case to a national enforcement body or even court. It may add at least a couple of months to the process. As you can see, it’s not a fast process, even if everything goes smoothly.

Be prepared for that.

3. How Much Can You Claim?

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

Here is how you can calculate your Volotea 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 Volotea Voucher Refund or Cash?

What if you are offered a voucher instead of compensation?

If Volotea offers you a voucher instead of compensation or refund, do not accept it. Unless you want to. But normally, in the EU (and EEA and the UK) compensations and refunds are paid in cash or by bank transfer. 

So, you can ask for bank transfer.

4. What Happens If a Flight Is Cancelled?

What to do if your Volotea flight is cancelled?

First of all, wait for the email from Volotea. 

Have you received this email? Then check it out. You will see that there’s all the information you need — when is the replacement flight, how to book it, and information about refund.

If you are already at the airport, and it’s a very last-minute cancellation, there’s nothing much you can do. Keep following your flight information and wait for the announcement from the airline.

In most cases, you’ll be given a choice between a new flight and full refund. If you choose the refund, keep in mind that refunds are made within 7 days.

If your Volotea flight is cancelled less than 2 weeks before departure date, and it is due to the airline’s fault, Volotea is also obliged to pay compensation. 

4.1 Connecting Flights

Do you need to be on time for another flight? 

If it’s a Volotea connecting flight, don’t worry. If you miss your connection because your previous flight was delayed or cancelled, Volotea will book you on another flight free of charge. Even though Volotea is a budget airline, it offers protected connecting flights (Volotea Connect). Your Volotea connections are covered.

But if it’s a self transfer (separately booked flights), it’s your responsibility. Even if these are separately-booked Volotea flights. If you haven’t booked your flights under one booking reference (airline-protected connecting flight), the airline is not responsible for missed connections. Separately booked flights are not covered. You will need to book a new flight yourself (and pay for it yourself).

Travel insurance that covers trip interruptions may cover the costs.

Volotea Flight Cancellation Compensation and Refund: FAQ

Volotea Refund

EU – Non-EU Flights, Tourists

Other Situations

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