Is your Brussels Airlines flight compensation claim denied? What’s next?
Being denied compensation is particularly annoying when you’re trying to claim Brussels Airlines compensation independently, and you’re unsure of your eligibility for compensation. Where should you go from there? Is the hassle truly worthwhile? It’s unquestionably worthwhile. It’s worth considering allowing a flight compensation company to take over for you at least. But this isn’t the only route open to you.
You are entitled to continue fighting for your rights.
Is Your Brussels Airlines Flight Compensation Claim Denied? What’s Next?
Is your Brussels Airlines flight compensation claim denied? What happens next?
There are alternative ways to claim compensation from Brussels Airlines.
However, before escalating the situation, ensure you understand the law and your rights.
1. Collaborating with Flight Compensation Companies
The simplest method is to collaborate with a flight compensation company.
Simply complete an online form, provide a copy of your boarding pass and passport, and finalise the claim. For the most part, you don’t have to worry about anything else. The company handles everything else. You no longer need to correspond with Brussels Airlines.
If there are any questions that only you can answer, the flight compensation firm will reach out to you. The only downside is the fees. Most flight compensation companies charge between 25 and 45% of the compensation.
Our partners offer such services.
When choosing this option, here is all you will have to do:
And that’s it — the rest is handled by professionals.
* Your boarding pass and passport or ID copy.
What is the cost?
Typically, the fee is around 25 to 45 percent of the compensation, with the remainder being transferred to you. If you don’t receive compensation, you won’t be charged. However, keep in mind that fees and policies vary from company to company. Do your research before making a claim.
Read more:
- How to Claim Brussels Airlines Compensation?
- Your Brussels Airlines Refund Is Taking Forever. What Can You Do About It?
2. Reaching Out to the NEB of the Country of Departure
Working with a flight compensation company isn’t the only option.
Contacting the National Enforcement Bodies (NEB) is the step to take after attempting to reach out to the airline independently and either being denied or ignored. It’s free of charge. However, it’s not as straightforward as working with a flight compensation company, and it can be time-consuming. They usually take at least two months to process your compensation request.
The most significant disadvantage is that even if you receive a positive response to your request, there’s no guarantee you’ll be given compensation. Brussels Airlines can still deny the request.
You can locate the National Enforcement Bodies here.
The National Enforcement Bodies assist passengers in the event of denied boarding, flight delay or cancellation, as well as enforces the regulation Regulation (EC) 261/2004 and makes sure passengers are treated according to these rules.
3. Escalating the Matter to Court
Is your Brussels Airlines flight compensation claim denied?
The subsequent step is to take the case to court.
It’s strongly recommended to wait for a positive ruling from the NEB before proceeding. This will greatly assist you in your case against the airline (Brussels Airlines in this instance).
This is the most challenging option, but it’s also very effective. Before taking your complaint to court, confirm the validity of your claim. Review your rights and craft your argument. Only then can you be confident in your decision to go to court. If you have a ruling from the NEB stating you’re eligible for compensation, include it with your court documents.
Bear in mind, that taking your complaint to court has associated costs.
Extraordinary Circumstances
Often, airlines conveniently avoid providing the true reason for rejecting your claim.
They offer vague explanations and leave it at that. Their favourite term to use is “extraordinary circumstances.” Why? It’s simple – paying compensation isn’t profitable for any company. That’s why airlines try to evade their responsibility. They know that most passengers are unaware of their rights, and they take advantage of this. So, the next time you hear this term, be a little suspicious.
According to EU regulation 261/2004, airlines are not obligated to compensate passengers when the disruption is caused by extraordinary circumstances. These circumstances may include extreme weather, political or civil unrest, and hidden manufacturing defects. Yes, hidden manufacturing defects are the only technical problems considered extraordinary. Most other technical problems are the airline’s responsibility. Staff strikes also aren’t considered extraordinary circumstances.
Furthermore, bad weather isn’t always an extraordinary circumstance. In some cases, the weather is entirely predictable. For example, snow during winter months (unless it’s an infrequent occurrence). In such situations, the airline is expected to take appropriate measures to ensure timely operations.
Always strive to uncover the real reason behind flight delays or cancellations.
Under What Conditions Can You Seek Flight Compensation From Brussels Airlines?
There exist several situations where you may be eligible to seek compensation for flight disruptions. These scenarios encompass delayed flights, cancellations, and occasions when you’re not allowed to board due to overbooking.
1. Flight Delays
EU Regulation 261/2004 mandates that you’re entitled to seek compensation if your flight arrives at its intended destination over three hours later than its planned arrival time. The compensation amount is reliant on the length of delay and flight distance.
To illustrate, a four-hour delay on your flight from London to Paris, a short journey of less than 1,500km, makes you eligible for compensation of up to €250.
Read more: Brussels Airlines Delay Compensation
2. Flight Cancellations
You are eligible to claim compensation if your flight is cancelled with less than 14 days notice. This is considered to be a last-minute cancellation.
The amount of compensation depends on the flight distance and the delay in reaching your final destination. For example, if your Rome to New York flight, a long journey of more than 3,500km, is cancelled without sufficient notice and you reach your final destination over four hours late with an alternate flight, you are eligible to claim up to €600 in compensation. You also have the choice to receive a full Brussels Airlines refund, instead of an alternate flight.
Read more: Brussels Airlines Flight Cancellation Compensation
3. Denied Boarding Due to Overbooking
Airlines sometimes overbook flights, predicting some passengers will not turn up.
If you are not allowed to board due to overbooking and you don’t willingly give up your seat, you can claim compensation. The compensation depends on your flight distance. Suppose you’re journeying from Berlin to Madrid, a medium haul between 1,500km and 3,500km, and you’re denied boarding due to overbooking. If you reach your final destination over three hours late, you can claim up to €400 in compensation.
Read more: Brussels Airlines Denied Boarding Compensation
Was your Brussels Airlines flight compensation claim denied? What were your experiences in dealing with Brussels Airlines compensation claims? Did you resort to NEB or court?