Was your Brussels Airlines flight cancelled last minute?
Flight cancellations, especially last-minute flight cancellations can be a major inconvenience. Particularly if you have connecting flights or other travel arrangements. However, you should know that there are laws and policies in place to protect passengers in such situations. Both the EU law and Brussels Airlines’s own policy require the airline to take responsibility for assisting you and finding a suitable solution.
What Is a Last-Minute Flight Cancellation?
A last-minute flight cancellation refers to the sudden cancellation of a flight that occurs 0-14 days before the scheduled departure time.
Several factors can lead to last-minute cancellations of flights. Technical issues such as mechanical problems, electrical failures, or issues with the aircraft’s safety equipment can cause airlines to cancel flights. Operational disruptions such as airport strikes can also force airlines to cancel flights. Additionally, weather conditions such as hurricanes, heavy rains, or snowstorms may make it difficult for airlines to operate flights safely. Finally, crew-related problems such as illness or fatigue can lead to cancellations or delays, as airlines need to ensure the availability of qualified personnel to operate the flight.
Last-minute cancellations can cause a lot of inconvenience for air passengers, as most travelers have already made plans and arrangements for their trip, and may have to make alternative plans at the last minute.
It is good to know that you as a passenger are protected in case of last-minute cancellations. Moreover, in certain circumstances, passengers may be eligible for flight cancellation compensation. Keep reading to discover more about these important rights and benefits.
1. Brussels Airlines Flight Cancellation: Last-Minute Flight Cancellation
If Brussels Airlines cancels your flight, they must take care of you.
- If your flight gets cancelled and you are stuck waiting at the airport for a long time, Brussels Airlines will provide you with care (“right to care“). If you have to wait for 3 hours, you will receive a coupon for a free meal. If you have to wait overnight, you will be provided with free hotel stay and transportation.
- If you choose not to accept the replacement flight that the airline has offered you, they will give you a full refund. This refund can either be sent back to your bank account or given as a refundable voucher from Brussels Airlines.
- You are eligible to claim Brussels Airlines flight cancellation compensation if the airline cancels your flight less than 2 weeks before the original departure date, and it is due to Brussels Airlines’s fault.
If it’s a last-minute flight cancellation, and you end up missing your connection, you might be entitled to compensation. Please consult our Brussels Airlines missed connection compensation guide for further information.
To put it simply, the regulations for this compensation are comparable to those for flight delays. You just need to assess how long you arrived at your destination after your initial arrival time. These regulations for compensation are valid for all Brussels Airlines flights.
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.
2. What to Do if Your Flight Is Cancelled Last-Minute?
If your flight gets cancelled last-minute, the way to proceed may vary depending on whether you have already arrived at the airport or are still at home.
2.1 If You Are Still at Home or Hotel
If your flight has been cancelled last-minute and you’re still at home or in a hotel, it’s best to remain there for the time being. Contact Brussels Airlines customer service to determine your next steps.
Brussels Airlines will offer assistance and discuss your options. You could be departing on the same day or the day after, depending on flight availability. Keep in mind that you have the option of requesting a flight with another airline.
2.2 If You Are Already at the Airport
If you experience a last-minute flight cancellation, but you are already at the airport, do not go through airport security. You will be given a new flight and will need to complete the check-in process again to get a new boarding pass. If you have a checked bag, you will need to check it in again and go through passport control. If you have already gone through security, try to go back to the public access area of the airport.
To learn about the next steps, it is crucial to get in touch with Brussels Airlines representatives at the airport. They can provide assistance by offering alternatives for your flight, such as a full refund or another flight to your destination, as well as care.
3. Brussels Airlines Flight Cancellation Compensation
The EU has a specific set of rules for flight compensation.
A flight cancellation that happens less than 2 weeks before the scheduled departure date is considered a last-minute cancellation. If this happens, you may be eligible for compensation. Here are the rules regarding the compensation.
Your flight is cancelled 7 – 14 days before the scheduled time of departure:
- You choose a new flight offered by Lufthansa, 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.
Your flight is cancelled less than 7 days before the scheduled time of departure:
- You choose a new flight offered by Lufthansa, 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.
You can claim compensation under these conditions:
- The flight was cancelled due to the airline’s fault.
- The flight was either departing from, arriving in, or operating within Europe.
- The cancellation happened last-minute, which means less than 14 days before the scheduled departure.
Read more: Brussels Airlines Flight Cancellation Compensation
4. Brussels Airlines Flight Cancellation Refund
In the event of a Brussels Airlines flight being cancelled, passengers must be presented with the option of either having their flight rescheduled to their intended destination or receiving a full refund. The refund can be processed either to your bank account or offered as a Brussels Airlines voucher. Your choice will likely be influenced by your personal circumstances and future travel plans.
Brussels Airlines assures that your refund will be processed within 7 days.
It’s crucial to note that the right to compensation and the right to a refund are two separate entitlements under UK/EU flight compensation regulations. Hence, even if you opt for a refund, based on the specifics of the flight cancellation, you could still be eligible for compensation.
4.1 What Happens If You Cancel a Flight?
If you, as a passenger, decide to cancel your flight, the refund conditions may vary. In general, the refund policy of Brussels Airlines is established by the type of ticket you have purchased.
Depending on the fare conditions, fully-flexible tickets are typically refundable, while low-cost, non-flexible tickets may not be. It’s always recommended to review the specific conditions tied to your ticket or contact Brussels Airlines’ customer support for further clarification. If your travel insurance covers cancellations, you may be able to obtain a refund through your insurance company.
5. How to Claim Brussels Airlines Flight Compensation / Refund?
Your Brussels Airlines flight is cancelled last-minute.
If you want to get a refund for your ticket, click here.
What about flight compensation? If your Brussels Airlines flight gets canceled, you can receive compensation from the airline. To do this, it’s crucial to file a claim. If you don’t file a claim, you won’t receive any compensation. To submit your claim, you can contact Brussels Airlines customer service.
Keep in mind that you have the right to monetary compensation, and you’re not obliged to accept travel vouchers. Under EC Regulation 261, airlines are required to directly transfer compensation for flight disruptions to your bank account. The predetermined compensation amount varies between 250 to 600 euros, depending on flight distance.
You can also take the easiest path — legal representation.
When you choose this option, everything is handled by a flight compensation company. They will make a compensation claim and complete the process on your behalf.
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.
Read more:
- Your Brussels Airlines Refund Is Taking Forever. What Can You Do About It?
- Is Your Brussels Airlines Flight Compensation Claim Denied? What’s Next?
Last-minute flight cancellation – have you ever experienced that? How did the airline solve that? Do you still have questions about Brussels Airlines compensation policies? Ask in the comments.