Yes, you have a right to a new flight (if Wizz Air cancels a flight).
We’ve all been there. You’re at the airport, excited about your trip, and suddenly, you hear the dreaded announcement — your Wizz Air flight has been cancelled. The chaos that follows is often accompanied by confusion and frustration, especially when the airline doesn’t provide alternative travel options.
Or if the offer or communication isn’t clear.
But don’t despair. In this guide, we’ll guide you through the steps you can take if you find yourself in such a situation.
What Are Your Rights With Wizz Air?
First and foremost, it’s crucial to understand your rights as a passenger.
In Europe, there is this regulation – EU261/2004. It protects passengers in cases of flight cancellations, delays, and denied boardings. If your flight is cancelled, Wizz Air is legally obligated to offer you an alternative flight to your destination or a full refund.
But what happens if they fail to do either?
This is where you need to take control.
What to Do When Wizz Air Cancels a Flight? Step by Step
Here’s a step-by-step guide on what to do when a flight is cancelled.
Document Everything (Step 1)
When faced with a cancellation, it’s important to document every detail.
It will help you later in the process of getting the compensation.
Keep your boarding pass, and any emails or text messages regarding the flight, and take screenshots of the cancellation notification. All of this will serve as evidence should you need to file a claim.
Request Alternative Travel Options (Step 2)
Approach the Wizz Air customer service desk immediately.
Politely but firmly ask them to book you on the next available flight, even if it’s with a different airline. It’s their obligation to make sure you can make it to your destination as soon as possible.
Don’t forget that you also have a right to care while waiting for that flight at the airport. Airlines have a duty of care to passengers, which includes providing meals, refreshments, and accommodation (if necessary) until they can get you to your destination.
This step is very important. You have to try and make Wizz Air find a solution.
Only, if this fails, you can proceed with step 3.
Yes, in all situations, it’s easier to “just buy a new flight”.
But – getting any money back from Wizz Air later may turn out to be ten times harder than negotiating a better flight at the time of the problem.
Book a New Flight Yourself (Step 3)
If nothing is working – buy a new flight yourself and then make a claim to the airline.
If you have travel insurance covering flight cancellations and changes, you can get money back from the travel insurance company. Plus, you can get a refund for flight cancellation from Wizz Air and sometimes also a flight cancellation compensation (if the flight was cancelled due to the airline’s fault and it happened less than 2 weeks before the day of departure).
Remember – keep all the receipts!
Seek Compensation From Wizz Air
No matter if Wizz Air offers a new flight or not, you may still have a right to flight cancellation compensation – if the flight was cancelled less than 2 weeks before the date of departure and it was due to Wizz Air’s fault.
According to the EU261/2004 regulation, you could claim up to €600.
Steps to Claim Cancellation Compensation:
- File a complaint with Wizz Air. Start by submitting a formal complaint to Wizz Air’s customer service. Clearly state your flight details and what has happened. Attach all relevant documentation, like the boarding pass and your passport or ID copy.
- Work with a flight compensation company. If Wizz Air is unresponsive or denies your claim without valid reasoning, consider using a flight compensation service. These companies specialize in handling such disputes and can significantly increase your chances of success. Use our form and we’ll forward your claim to one of the best such companies in the world.
- Escalate the matter. Should the airline still refuse to compensate you, escalate the matter to the National Enforcement Body (NEB) responsible for overseeing airline regulations in the country where the incident occurred.
While a flight cancellation is undoubtedly a stressful experience, knowing your rights and the steps to take can turn the tide in your favour. Wizz Air, like all airlines, has obligations to its passengers. If they fail to meet these obligations, you have every right to seek help.
The more passengers do it, the easier and better it’s gonna be for all of us in the future – it’s in our power to make airlines start following the rules.