Wizz Air flight cancellation compensation.
What if Wizz Air cancels a flight? Can you get Wizz Air refund?
Flight cancellations happen every day, and the reasons are different. While many of the Wizz Air flight cancellations aren’t the airline’s fault, many – are. This is what matters. If your flight is cancelled due to the fault of the airline, you may be entitled both to a full refund from Wizz Air and also EU flight cancellation compensation of up to €600.
With Wizz Air and Wizz Air UK, it applies to all of its flights to and from the European Union, with Wizz Air Abu Dhabi – only to flights departing from Europe.
Is Wizz Air Cancelling Flights?
Yes, Wizz Air does cancel flights once in a while.
In 2024, the best way to find out whether your Wizz Air flight is going to depart as planned, or not, is to check the flight information data on the website of the departure airport, and on the website of Wizz Air. It’s best to check this information on both.
Even though, overall, Wizz Air is a good airline, offering affordable flights to 100+ destinations, it does have the same problems as its competitors. So, if you’re thinking – does Wizz Air cancel flights, the answer is “Yes, it does cancel flights”.
1. Wizz Air Flight Cancellation Compensation: EU Regulations
Will you get a new flight ticket free of charge?
Can you get a full refund if you don’t wish to travel anymore? Are you entitled to Wizz Air flight cancellation compensation in your particular situation?
Flight cancellation compensation rules in the EU are very specific.
If you are notified of the cancellation 7 – 14 days before the scheduled time of departure:
- You choose a new flight offered by your airline, 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 flight cancellation compensation.
- In other situations, you are entitled to compensation.
If you are notified of the cancellation less than 7 days before the scheduled time of departure:
- You choose a new flight offered by your airline, 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 flight cancellation compensation.
- In other situations, you are entitled to compensation.
Conditions:
- It’s due to the fault of Wizz Air;
- It’s a last-minute flight cancellation (less than 14 days before departure);
- The flight is to/from Europe.
By Europe and EU here on this page 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.
Read more: Wizz Air — Ryanair Self Transfer Flight: Who Is Going to Pay Compensation?
2. How to Claim Flight Cancellation Compensation?
How to claim Wizz Air compensation? Wizz Air refund?
There are two ways you can claim EU flight cancellation compensation.
One of the options is to contact the airline. Fill in the Wizz Air claim form and wait. Or call Wizz Air customer service number, and request flight cancellation compensation. Refer to the Regulation (EC) No 261/2004. Be prepared that the whole process may take months until you receive money from Wizz Air. In this case, the more proof you have of the problem, the better.
You can also take the easiest path — legal representation.
In this case, your compensation case is handled by a law firm. All you have to do is to fill in a single form — the compensation claim form. You only register your Wizz Air flight cancellation compensation claim/your Wizz Air compensation request, and the rest is done by the company. 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.
2.1 How Long Does It Take?
On average Wizz Air claims take up to 3 months.
That’s 3 months from the moment you file a claim against Wizz Air until your Wizz Air compensation is transferred to your bank account. Note that in some situations it might be necessary to take your case to a national enforcement body or court. If such a situation arises, the process will take at least a couple of months longer. If you are working with a flight compensation company, they will update you on the progress of the case.
For the fastest result register your Wizz Air compensation claim as soon after the flight as possible. This way you also won’t forget about it, as it sometimes happens.
3. How Much Can You Claim?
The compensation amount is fixed and ranges from €250 to €600.
Here is how you can calculate your Wizz Air flight cancellation compensation. All you have to know is the approximate distance of your flight.
When your destination is outside the EU:
€250
If the distance of your flight is
up to 1500 km
€400
If the distance of your flight is between 1500 – 3500 km
€600
If the distance of your flight is more than 3500 km
When your destination is within the EU:
€250
If the distance of your flight is
up to 1500 km
€400
If the distance of your flight is between 1500 – 3500 km
There’s one exception. When the flight distance is 3500+ kilometres and you reach your destination 3 to 4 hours later than planned, you are entitled only to 50% of the compensation (€300, not €600).
3.1 Wizz Air Voucher Refund or Cash?
What if Wizz Air is offering you a voucher instead of money?
Many airlines offer coupons instead of refunds and compensation. It was a common practice during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 – 2023. Do you have to accept a Wizz Air compensation voucher? No, you don’t have to accept a voucher. According to the law, airline compensation and refunds have to be paid by bank transfer.
As already mentioned, in some situations you may be entitled to both — Wizz Air flight compensation and Wizz Air refund. Note, that also in these situations you have a right to receive both by bank transfer. You don’t have to accept vouchers.
4. Extraordinary Circumstances
There are situations when you won’t get compensation.
If your flight is cancelled due to bad weather, national strike, terrorism threat or other security issues at the airport, you won’t be entitled to EU flight cancellation compensation. However, when it comes to airport strikes, keep in mind that not all strikes are the same — in some situations, you still will be entitled to Wizz Air compensation for cancelled flights/Wizz Air delay compensation.
Always double-check the information the airline is giving you.
The reason for this is that not always airlines are telling the truth.
Very often airlines try to avoid paying compensation and provide false reasons for flight cancellations. Also very often airlines list aircraft technical problems as extraordinary circumstances to avoid paying compensation. But you must know that technical problems aren’t considered extraordinary circumstances unless they are caused by a hidden manufacturing defect.
To avoid all of this, you can hand over your case to a flight compensation company, for them to double-check it on your behalf. Just to be sure you aren’t being lied to.
5. Right to Care
If you have to wait at the airport, you have a right to care.
No matter the reason behind this cancellation or delay, you have a right to receive care from Wizz Air. As Wizz Air is an EU airline, it applies to most of its flights to and from the European Union. For example, if you have a last-minute flight cancellation, and you have to wait at the airport, you have a right to receive care from Wizz Air. As long as the waiting time is at least 3 hours.
You must be provided with free meals and drinks in a reasonable relation to the waiting time, two free phone calls, e-mails or faxes. If you have to wait overnight, you must be provided with free accommodation, as well as a free transfer to the hotel and back to the airport.
Receiving care and assistance from the airline doesn’t affect your chances of getting compensation. It’s just a myth that you won’t get compensation if you accept any of the things mentioned above.
Remember! Wizz Air isn’t one company. There are several companies registerd in different countries. If you are flying with Wizz Air Hungary, you are protected by Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 on all flights. With Wizz Air UK, you have the same rights like with Wizz Air Hungary. With Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, you have the same rights only on flights that are departing from Europe (EU, EEA, UK).
6. Wizz Air Refund Policy
When it comes to refunds, in the EU the rules are very simple.
According to Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, if your Wizz Air flight is cancelled, the airline should offer you either a new flight or a full refund. You can choose a refund if you don’t wish to fly anymore.
As Wizz Air and Wizz Air UK are registered in Europe, the regulation applies to all of their flights to and from Europe. The refund should be transferred to your bank account within 7 days. In these situations, it doesn’t even matter what is the reason for Wizz Air’s cancellation. You can get a full refund even if your flight was cancelled because of bad weather.
You don’t have to agree to a Wizz Air voucher refund.
Here’s an excerpt from the Regulation (EC) No 261/2004:
Article 5
Cancellation
In case of cancellation of a flight, the passengers concerned shall: (a) be offered assistance by the operating air carrier in accordance with Article 8.
Regulation (EC) No 261/2004
Right to reimbursement or re-routing
Where reference is made to this Article, passengers shall be offered the choice between: (a) – reimbursement within seven days (b) re-routing, under comparable transport conditions, to their final destination at the earliest opportunity.
Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, Article 8
All thanks to Regulation (EC) No 261/2004. To put it simply, it’s a set of rules in the European Union, created to regulate air passenger rights in situations when flights are cancelled, heavily delayed or overbooked (and as a result, some passengers are denied boarding).
7. What If Wizz Air Cancels a Flight?
What to do if your Wizz Air flight is cancelled?
First of all, wait for the announcement from Wizz Air.
It’s the airline’s responsibility to handle the situation, no matter why the flight is cancelled. In most cases, you’ll be given a choice between a new flight and a full refund. Choose what suits you the best. You can ask for a refund if you don’t wish to travel anymore. If you choose a refund, take into account that you won’t receive it right away. Usually, the refund is made within 7 days.
Keep in mind that there are situations when Wizz Air is also obliged to pay compensation. In case of flight cancellation, compensation has to be paid when the flight is cancelled less than 2 weeks before the departure date, and the cancellation is due to the airline’s fault.
Do you need to be on time for another flight? If your Wizz Air flight is cancelled, and you have another flight, it’s your responsibility. Even if it’s another Wizz Air booking. Wizz Air doesn’t sell connecting flights. So, you will have to deal with the consequences yourself. You may also need to book another flight. Travel insurance that covers trip interruption and changes may pay some or all of the costs.
Wizz Air Flight Cancellation Compensation: FAQ
My Wizz Air flight was very cheap. Can I get compensation?
Yes, absolutely! The price of your Wizz Air tickets doesn’t matter.
It also doesn’t affect the amount of compensation you are entitled to receive. You may receive compensation of 400 euros even if your flight costs 4 euros. All because the whole purpose of denied boarding compensation, flight delay compensation, and flight cancellation compensation, is to compensate for the inconveniences you have to go through.
Do I need to have insurance for this?
No, you don’t need to have insurance.
According to European Regulation EC 261/2004, every passenger who experiences a flight delay, last-minute flight cancellation, or boarding denial due to overbooking, can get compensation. As long as it’s due to the fault of the airline.
Can my child get compensation from Wizz Air?
Yes. All travellers in Europe are protected under the law, including children.
People of any age can get compensation if they are eligible for it. Even infants who have a special, infant ticket and don’t have a seat, are entitled to full compensation.
Can I claim compensation for another person?
Yes, you can claim compensation for another person.
You don’t even have to be on that flight yourself.
You can file a compensation claim for your family member, relative or friend, as long as they provide you with a boarding pass and passport copy. The only thing the person in question will have to do is to sign any documents Wizz Air may ask to sign. If you decide to work with flight compensation companies, mostly it’s only one document and signature.
How far back can I claim flight compensation?
You can claim compensation also for old flights. The exact deadline varies from country to country. You have to look at the laws and regulations in the country your flight departed from.
Mostly, you can claim compensation for flights that are up to 2-3 years old.
What to do if Wizz Air is refusing my claim?
Your Wizz Air compensation claim is refused. What’s next? The easiest way to get compensation Wizz Air owes you is to file a claim against Wizz Air with a flight compensation company.
Alternatively, you can try and contact the respective national enforcement body. There are national enforcement bodies in all the EU Member states. They will help you or point you in the right direction. These are government agencies, so be prepared for a likely lengthy process.
Wizz Air Refund
If my flight is cancelled, do I get a refund?
If you are flying with Wizz Air, and it’s a flight from or to Europe, then yes.
In this case, you can choose to have a refund instead of a new flight.
EU – Non-EU Flights, Tourists
I’m flying to the EU from a country outside the EU. Can I get compensation?
If you’re flying with Wizz Air then yes, you can.
Wizz Air is registered in the EU and the UK, and in this case, EU regulations apply to all its flights to and from the EU. If you’re flying with an airline that is not registered in the EU, it applies only to its flights departing from Europe but not the other way around.
With Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, most of the information on this website applies only to flights from Europe. Because Wizz Air Abu Dhabi is not a European airline.
I’m flying from the EU to a country outside the EU. Can I get compensation?
Yes, with Wizz Air you can.
The same stands true also for all other airlines (including non-EU airlines).
The same applies to Wizz Air Abu Dhabi flights.
I am not a European. Can I apply for compensation?
Yes, you can.
Travellers of any nationality can claim Wizz Air flight delay compensation. In the EU, all travellers are protected under the same law — tourists from overseas and Europeans alike.
All passengers on the same flight have the same rights.
Other Situations
Wizz Air provided me with a free hotel room and took me to my destination. Can I still get compensated for the delay?
Yes, you may still receive flight compensation, if you are eligible for it.
In Europe, passengers have a right to care no matter the reason for delay. And if you’re eligible for compensation, you can get both – assistance and flight compensation. Just do not forget to file a compensation claim. Do it as soon after the flight as possible.
Wizz Air took me to my destination. Can I still get compensation?
If you arrived at least 3 hours later than planned, then, yes.
There are many situations in which you may get compensated. Depending on the distance of your flight, you may receive a compensation of up to €600 per passenger. Even if you were taken to your final destination.
Do you still have questions about Wizz Air’s compensation policies? Ask in the comments.