Encountered a last-minute flight cancellation with your Smartwings flight?
Flight cancellations can cause major disruptions, especially if you have connecting flights or other travel arrangements. However, passengers are protected by Smartwings’ flight cancellation policy and European regulations, which have been in place for over a decade. Consequently, if your Smartwings flight is cancelled, the airline is obligated to accommodate you and provide a suitable alternative.
Also, you may be entitled to flight cancellation compensation.
1. Smartwings Flight Cancellation: Last-Minute Flight Cancellation
Encountered a last-minute flight cancellation with your Smartwings flight?
In the event of a flight cancellation by Smartwings, their duty is to ensure your wellbeing.
- When a flight cancellation leads to an extended delay at the airport, Smartwings is under obligation to provide care. For example, if your wait is 3 hours, a meal coupon will be offered, and for an overnight delay — hotel accommodation and transfer will be provided.
- If you choose not to use the alternative flight presented to you, you can claim a complete refund from Smartwings. This refund could be processed either to your bank account or distributed as a Smartwings voucher.
- Provided it’s a last-minute flight cancellation (i.e., flight cancelled up to 2 weeks before the scheduled departure date) and the cancellation was due to an error on Smartwings’ part, you can seek flight cancellation compensation from Smartwings.
These compensation principles apply to all Smartwings flights to and 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.
2. What to Do if Your Flight Is Cancelled Last-Minute?
Dealing with a last-minute flight cancellation depends on your circumstances.
The approach may differ if you’re already at the airport compared to being at home.
2.1 If You Are Still at Home or Hotel
In the event that you’re still at home and your flight gets cancelled, it’s best to remain there for the time being. Reach out to Smartwings’ customer service to determine the steps forward.
Smartwings is committed to providing support. They will guide you through the available options. You might be able to depart on the same day, or maybe the day after, depending on the flight availability. Remember, you also have the option to request a flight with a different airline.
In case the cancellation was a result of unexpected circumstances, you have the right to a free replacement flight to your destination, or if you prefer, a refund. If the cancellation is due to the airline’s error, you may be entitled to flight cancellation compensation.
2.2 If You Are Already at the Airport
If your flight is cancelled while you’re at the airport, it’s best not to go through security.
Instead, a new flight will be arranged for you, which means you’ll have to check in again to get your new boarding pass. If you have checked baggage, you’ll need to check it in again and then go through passport control. If you’ve already passed security, try to go back to the public access area of the airport.
To ensure you receive the necessary assistance, make sure to connect with Smartwings’ representatives at the airport. They will provide you with information on the next steps, including arranging a replacement flight to your destination or offering a full refund.
Keep in mind that you have a right to care while you wait for your replacement flight.
3. Smartwings Flight Cancellation Compensation
The EU has set specific rules concerning compensation for last-minute flight cancellation.
If your flight is cancelled less than 2 weeks prior to the planned departure date, it’s considered a last-minute cancellation, and you may be eligible for compensation.
Your flight is cancelled 7 – 14 days before the scheduled time of departure:
- You opt for a replacement flight provided by Smartwings, which leaves not more than 2 hours prior to the original departure time and lands you at your destination less than 4 hours after the original arrival time. In this case, you are not entitled to compensation.
- In other circumstances, you are entitled to compensation.
Your flight is cancelled less than 7 days before the scheduled time of departure:
- You choose a replacement flight provided by Smartwings, which leaves not more than 1 hour before the original departure time and lands you at your destination less than 2 hours after the original arrival time. In this situation, you are not entitled to compensation.
- Under other circumstances, you are entitled to compensation.
Conditions for claiming compensation:
- Flight cancelled due to the fault of Smartwings;
- Flight is to/from/within Europe;
- Flight cancelled last minute (less than 14 days before departure).
Read more: Smartwings Flight Cancellation Compensation
4. Smartwings Flight Cancellation Refund
When a flight with Smartwings gets cancelled, you have two options: a substitute flight to your destination or a full refund. You can choose to have the refund credited to your bank account or receive a Smartwings voucher, depending on your travel plans. It’s entirely up to you!
Your Smartwings refund should be processed within 7 days.
It’s crucial to understand that the right to compensation and the right to a refund are separate under the EU flight compensation law. Even if you’ve chosen to receive a refund, you could still be entitled to compensation based on the specifics of your flight cancellation, as outlined above.
Read more: Your Smartwings Refund Is Taking Forever. Here’s What You Can Do
4.1 What If You Cancel a Flight?
If you decide to cancel your flight, the refund conditions vary.
Generally, Smartwings’ refund policy is determined by the type of ticket you have acquired.
Tickets with complete flexibility are typically refundable, while low-cost or non-flexible tickets may not be. It’s always recommended to review the specific terms of your ticket or contact Smartwings’ customer services for more information. If you have travel insurance that covers cancellations, you might be able to request a refund from your insurance provider.
5. How to Claim Smartwings Flight Cancellation Compensation and Cancellation Refund?
To apply for a refund of your ticket, you can do so via the “My Bookings” section. The refund will be credited using the same payment method that you used at the time of booking your ticket.
What about flight cancellation compensation?
If your flight gets cancelled, you might be eligible to claim compensation from Smartwings. The key step is to lodge a claim. If you fail to initiate a claim, you will not receive any compensation. To submit your claim, you can reach out to Smartwings customer service.
Remember, you have the right to receive compensation for flight disruptions. There’s no obligation to accept travel vouchers. As per EC Regulation 261, the compensation amount should be deposited directly into your bank account. The fixed compensation ranges from 250 to 600 euros.
You have an easier option available — legal representation.
Choosing this route means that a flight compensation company will handle everything. They will lodge a compensation claim and oversee 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: How to Claim Smartwings Compensation?
Last-minute flight cancellation – have you ever experienced that? How did the airline solve that? Do you still have questions about Smartwings compensation policies? Ask in the comments.