Claiming compensation from Aer Lingus

Which of their flights are covered

Any flight departing an airport in the EU, the EEA or Switzerland is covered, whoever operates it. That includes every Aer Lingus departure from those airports, and it does not matter where the flight is going.

Flights into that zone are covered only when the operating carrier is licensed inside it. Aer Lingus is licensed in Ireland, so its inbound flights from outside Europe are covered too. A passenger flying from a non-European airport into Europe on Aer Lingus has the same rights as one flying out.

What you are owed

The amount depends on the straight-line distance between where you departed and your final destination, not on what you paid for the ticket: €250 up to 1,500 km, €400 between 1,500 and 3,500 km, and €600 beyond that. Flights with both ends inside Europe are capped at €400 however far they go, which is why Paris to Réunion pays €400 rather than €600.

Compensation starts at three hours late measured on arrival, and it applies equally to cancellations announced less than fourteen days ahead and to being bumped from an overbooked flight.

If they refuse

The most common refusal is a technical fault, and it is the weakest one available to them. A technical problem inherent in normal operation is not an extraordinary circumstance, and the burden of proving otherwise sits with the airline. Our escalation letter cites the ruling.

If Aer Lingus refuses again or stops replying, complain to the Commission for Aviation Regulation. It is free.

Check your Aer Lingus flight and we will write the letter.