Wizz Air UK compensation. Are you entitled to it?
How much can you claim? What are the rules?
Wizz Air isn’t just a single company. There are several companies. And they are registered in different countries. For example, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi is a national airline of the United Arab Emirates, but Wizz Air UK Ltd. is a British airline. And since Brexit, there are a few things that have changed with British airlines and air passenger rights. On some flights, you are protected by the EU law, on others — UK law, Regulation UK261.
Let’s go more into detail now!
1. Wizz Air UK is a UK Airline
Wizz Air UK is a company registered in the UK.
Before 2021, you were protected by the EU Flight Compensation regulation. Then for a while, there were concerns, that after Brexit UK travellers and people travelling with UK airlines may become less protected by law. These concerns turned out to be unnecessary because the UK Government wrote this regulation into UK law. They adopted the same law, making only minor changes.
To put it simply, very little has changed. Almost nothing.
What changed is that now you are protected by two laws.
Sometimes you are protected by the EU law (Regulation EC261/2004), other times – by UK law (Regulation UK261), and then there are also times when you are protected by both. And if you claim compensation yourself, you have to know which law to refer to.
2. All Possible Scenarios
This matters only if you claim compensation yourself.
If you work with a flight compensation company, you just give them your flight details and that’s all. They do all the work. For example, our partners let you file a claim online.
Below are all the possible scenarios.
Your flight is with a UK airline (for example, Wizz Air UK):
| Regulation UK261 | Regulation EC261/2004 | |
| EU – EU | ✓ | ✓ |
| EU – UK | ✓ | ✓ |
| EU – Third Country | ✓ | ✓ |
| UK – EU | ✓ | – |
| UK – UK | ✓ | – |
| UK – Third Country | ✓ | – |
| Third Country – EU | ✓ | – |
| Third Country – UK | ✓ | – |
Your flight is with an EU airline:
| Regulation UK261 | Regulation EC261/2004 | |
| EU – EU | – | ✓ |
| EU – UK | ✓ | ✓ |
| EU – Third Country | – | ✓ |
| UK – EU | ✓ | ✓ |
| UK – UK | ✓ | – |
| UK – Third Country | ✓ | – |
| Third Country – EU | – | ✓ |
| Third Country – UK | ✓ | – |
Your flight is with other airline (non-EU, non-UK):
| Regulation UK261 | Regulation EC261/2004 | |
| EU – EU | – | ✓ |
| EU – UK | – | ✓ |
| EU – Third Country | – | ✓ |
| UK – EU | ✓ | – |
| UK – UK | ✓ | – |
| UK – Third Country | ✓ | – |
| Third Country – EU | – | – |
| Third Country – UK | – | – |
Learn more about different situations:
- Wizz Air Flight Delay Compensation
- Wizz Air Flight Cancellation Compensation
- Wizz Air Denied Boarding Compensation
3. How to Claim Wizz Air UK Compensation?
You have to make a decision.
You can do it yourself or use a special service.
You can contact Wizz Air yourself. Go to their website. write a message to the Wizz Air customer support centre. Request compensation. Likely, you won’t hear back right away. The claim process takes some time, mostly at least a month or two.
You can use a special service.
In this case, all you do is fill in a single form. Most of the work is done by a team of professionals. 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.
4. How Much Can You Claim From Wizz Air?
In the EU and UK, these amounts are fixed.
Mostly you can get 250, 400 or 600 euro, per person.
The compensation amounts are the same for adults and kids, for priority and non-priority passengers. The amounts are the same also for infants. Yes, infants too can receive full flight compensation if a flight is delayed or cancelled, and it’s due to the airline’s fault. You can get compensation also when there is a Wizz Air staff strike, and it causes a delay or cancellation.
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
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
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).
5. Right to Care From Wizz Air
Both in the UK and the EU, you have a right to care from Wizz Air.
This applies to all flights to and from the EU and the UK.
Every time your flight is delayed, cancelled or you’ve been denied boarding due to overbooking, and if you have to wait at the airport, the airline has to take care of you. The airline has to offer you free meals and drinks in a reasonable relation to the waiting time, and also two free phone calls, e-mails, faxes or internet access. If you have to wait overnight — free hotel accommodation and free transfer to and back from the hotel must be offered.
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 almost identical rights as 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).
Wizz Air Flight 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.
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 compensation policies? Ask in the comments.
Featured photo by Anthony Beck from Pexels