Can you get Wizz Air flight downgrade compensation? How much can you claim, and what are the rules? As a general rule, downgrades are not common on budget airline flights. It’s because there are no travel classes. Wizz Air doesn’t have a business or first class. But it doesn’t mean you can’t be downgraded – you may still be offered a worse seat than what you paid for.
Read on to learn more about EU airline downgrade compensation on budget airlines.
1. Wizz Air Compensation Types
In Europe, air passenger rights are protected.
They are protected by the Regulation (EC) No 261/2004. If your flight is delayed or cancelled, you are entitled to receive care from the airline. In some cases, you may be entitled to European flight compensation. You have a right to receive care and compensation even when you have a flight with a budget airline (Wizz Air, Ryanair, easyJet, etc.). According to the same regulation, it doesn’t matter what airline you are flying with, nor the price of the ticket.
With Wizz Air, it applies to all flights to, from and within Europe.
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).
EU Compensation Types:
- If a flight is delayed, you can get flight delay compensation.
- If a flight is cancelled — flight cancellation compensation.
- If you are denied boarding — denied boarding compensation.
But what about Wizz Air flight downgrade compensation? Continue reading to learn more.
2. Wizz Air Flight Downgrade Compensation
In this case, it depends on the type of airline.
If you are downgraded when travelling with a full-service airline, you can get flight downgrade compensation right away. This applies to situations when you have a Business class ticket, and are downgraded to Economy, or you have a First class ticket, and you’re downgraded to Business or Economy. The amounts of downgrade compensation are between 30 to 75% of the price of the ticket, depending on the distance of your flight.
It doesn’t affect your baggage allowance.
However, it’s different with Wizz Air.
Why? Because downgrades on budget airlines aren’t regulated.
Because there is no Business, let alone First class seating on Wizz Air airplanes.
At the same time, a downgrade may still happen if the airline changes an aircraft. And if you are given a worse seat than what you paid for – this can happen to you on a Wizz Air flight. If something like this happens, it’s important to contact Wizz Air and request a refund of the difference (you can call it the “Wizz Air flight downgrade compensation”).
Have you had such an experience?
Request a compensation from Wizz Air.
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.
3. How to Claim Wizz Air Flight Downgrade Compensation? Wizz Air Involuntary Downgrade Compensation?
Just contact Wizz Air customer support using any channel.
As already mentioned, there are no common guidelines for that.
Unlike on flights with full-service airlines. With full-service airlines, you are protected by the EU and UK law. You can get between 30 to 75% of the price of the ticket, depending on the distance of your flight. With Wizz Air, you’ll be happy to get back the difference.
Note that companies specialising in air passenger rights mostly don’t work with claims like these. They work with flight delays, flight cancellations and flight overbookings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What Does a Flight Downgrade Mean?
A flight downgrade is a situation that primarily occurs when an airline moves a passenger from a higher seating class, such as business or premium, to a lower one like economy class.
This usually happens due to reasons like overbooking, where the airline has sold more tickets than available seats, or changes in the type of aircraft used for the flight. These changes may lead to the airline having less space or fewer facilities than originally planned, thus necessitating the downgrade.
Q2: Can I Get Wizz Air Flight Downgrade Compensation?
While there aren’t any specific regulations or laws concerning downgrades on budget airlines such as Wizz Air, it doesn’t mean that you have no options.
If, for example, you discover that you have been seated in a lower class than you initially paid for, it is advisable to contact the airline. You can then request a refund of the difference in cost between the seat you paid for and the one you ended up in.
The airline’s response may vary, but it is crucial to do something about this.
Q3: How Can I Claim Compensation for a Wizz Air Flight Downgrade?
To claim compensation for a flight downgrade with Wizz Air, the first step is to reach out to their customer support. This can be done through any of their provided channels, such as email, phone, or social media platforms.
Explain clearly and concisely your situation, providing all necessary details about your flight and the downgrade.
Be prepared that it may take a month or two until you hear back from the airline.
Q4: Are Flight Downgrades a Common Occurrence with Wizz Air?
Flight downgrades are not common, especially with budget airlines like Wizz Air.
This is mainly because these airlines usually do not have distinct travel classes to downgrade from. However, changes in aircraft types that result in a reduction of premium seats that you had previously booked may lead to a downgrade.
Even though the occurrence is rare, it’s good to be aware of the possibility and how to handle it should it happen.
Q5: Will a Downgrade Affect My Baggage Allowance?
A downgrade, while affecting your seating class, does not influence your baggage allowance.
This means despite the downgrade, you are still entitled to the same amount of luggage you were originally allowed. You do not lose any baggage rights, despite the change in seating class.
Featured photo by mentatdgt from Pexels / pxhere.com
What is your experience with flight downgrades? Have you ever been downgraded? Did you receive flight downgrade compensation from the airline?