What to do if your Smartwings flight is delayed?
If you discover that your flight is delayed after checking its status online, you may face a dilemma. Should you stick to your original plan and head to the airport or stay home at hotel? The delay could vary from 30 minutes to a staggering 23 hours, potentially leaving you stranded at the airport. Does this mean you might have to wait at the airport for the next 23 hours until Smartwings resolves the situation?
The answer to this question depends on several factors.
Read on to learn more.
Your Smartwings Flight Is Delayed. Should You Wait at Home or Go to the Airport as Planned?
What to do if your Smartwings flight is delayed?
Where might you be currently? At your residence or your hotel room?
Or perhaps, have you made it to the airport already?
Scenario 1 – You Are at the Gate, Waiting
You are patiently waiting at your designated gate for your flight when you are informed of the delay in your flight schedule. What should be your subsequent course of action?
Wait at the gate. There will be updates coming concerning your flight status.
Scenario 2 – You Are at the Airport, But Haven’t Gone Through Security Yet
If you are at the airport waiting to go through security and you get to know that your flight is delayed, it’s advisable to stay put. Prior to going through security, find out if the check-in time for your flight has been rescheduled. If the check-in is postponed, it’s wise to refrain from passing through security.
Stay put until you receive further instructions before proceeding with the security check.
Have you checked in online already?
Hold on regardless. Do not proceed until check-in commences.
Scenario 3 – You Are at Your Home or Hotel
Determine whether the check-in has been deferred or remains on schedule.
You can find this out by reaching out to Smartwings or inquiring at the airport information desk.
If the check-in is delayed, you don’t have to hurry to the airport. You can continue waiting at your hotel or residence. However, if the check-in schedule remains the same, it’s better to stick to your original plan and go to the airport.
If check-in is postponed, stay put for now.
If check-in is not postponed — proceed to the airport as per your original plan.
How to Check Smartwings Flight Status Online?
How to find out if your Smartwings flight is delayed? Check its flight status online.
Here are various ways to verify your flight status online:
- The departing airport’s website;
- The airline’s official website (smartwings.com);
- Flight tracking services such as Flightradar24.
For early flights, it’s crucial to verify your flight’s status before setting off for the airport. To avoid reaching the airport early in the morning only to find out that your flight is delayed or cancelled, causing a long wait, it is advisable to check the flight status as soon as you wake up. Additionally, it is beneficial to do a last-minute check before leaving your home or hotel to prevent any unforeseen changes.
Travelers typically discover a delay in the following ways:
- Via SMS or email alerts sent by the airline;
- By checking on the flight status online;
- Upon arriving at the airport, or sometimes at the gate.
What If You Are Going to Miss a Connecting Flight Due to a Flight Delay?
As a low-cost airline, Smartwings does not offer connecting flights.
If you have a Smartwings connection, it means that you have booked a self-transfer flight. If you miss your connection, the airline won’t be responsible for it. Note that any missed connections will be your responsibility, and you will need to arrange and pay for any subsequent flights.
However, if your Smartwings flight is delayed or cancelled, you may be entitled to Smartwings flight delay compensation or Smartwings flight cancellation compensation for that particular disrupted flight, based on specific circumstances.
Right to Care at the Airport
Passengers who find themselves waiting at the airport due to a flight delay, cancellation or denied boarding have a right to care.
- During a delay of 3 hours or more occurring during daylight hours, Smartwings should provide free refreshments and drinks, along with two means of communication (such as calls, emails, or faxes), typically facilitated through vouchers.
- For overnight delays, Smartwings should offer complimentary hotel accommodation, transfers between the hotel and the airport, and one or two meals at no extra cost to the passenger.
If you have not been provided with any of these services, reach out to Smartwings for support.
Could You Be Entitled to Smartwings Flight Delay Compensation?
Indeed, you may be eligible for Smartwings flight delay compensation.
If your flight was delayed over three hours, or if it was cancelled without at least a 14-day prior notification, you could be entitled to compensation of up to 600 euros under EU legislation, unless the delay or cancellation was attributed to extraordinary circumstances.
This right applies to everyone, regardless of ticket fare or nationality. It is important to keep your boarding pass and other travel documents, as they may be needed when seeking compensation. If the process seems overwhelming, there are services available to help you receive compensation from Smartwings. Our partners offer such services. Use the compensation claim form on our website to make a claim.
Can You Get Flight Delay Compensation in Case of a Smartwings Strike?
If your Smartwings flight is delayed or cancelled due to a strike, there are two possibilities – the strike could either involve Smartwings personnel or be unrelated to them.
Generally, if the strike is initiated by airport staff, air traffic controllers, or a labour strike unrelated to Smartwings, you will probably not be eligible for compensation. These situations are considered extraordinary circumstances, and airlines are typically not held accountable.
However, if the strike pertains to Smartwings’ own workforce, the airline will likely be obligated to compensate passengers. Always validate the specific conditions surrounding your delay or cancellation, and ensure the information provided by the airline is accurate.
Can You Get Delay Compensation in Case of Technical Problems with the Airplane?
Yes, if your Smartwings flight is delayed due to technical faults with the aircraft, you could be entitled to flight delay compensation.
Typically, these issues aren’t classified as extraordinary circumstances.
Nevertheless, there may be exceptions in particular cases, like if the technical problems stem from concealed manufacturing defects. Such manufacturing defects are considered to be extraordinary circumstances.
What is your experience with Smartwings flight delays? Have you ever experienced a flight delay with Smartwings? How did the airline resolve the situation?