Finnair Flight Cancellation Compensation

Finnair flight cancellation refund or cancellation compensation?

Which one of these two can you get? In which situations it’s possible to get both refund and compensation? How much is the compensation? If you choose refund, will you be refunded in full? These are the questions we are going to discuss in this article. Flights get delayed due to a number of reasons. All you need to know is, if your flight is cancelled due to the airline’s fault, you might be entitled to both – a refund from Finnair and compensation up to €600.

It applies to most flights to and from Europe.

There are two ways you can claim flight cancellation compensation.

1. Finnair Flight Cancellation Compensation: EU  Regulations

What happens if your Finnair flight is cancelled?

Will you be booked on a new flight? Will it be free of charge? Can you get flight cancellation compensation? What about refund?

According to EU law, flight cancellation procedures 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 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 compensation.
• In other situations you are entitled to compensation.

Could you be entitled to Finnair flight cancellation compensation? 

Yes, if your flights meets the following conditions:

• Cancellation must be due to the fault of Finnair;
• It must be a last-minute flight cancellation (not earlier than 2 weeks before departure);
• Flight must be to/from Europe (EU/EEA/UK).

By Europe and EU here on this page (and on this website in general) 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.

1.1 Extraordinary Circumstances

Sometimes reasons for flight cancellations are out of the airline’s control.

Situations like these are known as extraordinary circumstances. In such cases, you aren’t entitled to flight cancellation compensation no matter how last-minute is the cancellation.

If your flight is cancelled due to bad weather, natural disaster, nationwide strike (unrelated to the airline), civil unrest, terrorism threat or security issues, you can’t get flight cancellation compensation from Finnair, or from any other airline for that matter. These events are out of the airline’s control. Finnair is not obliged to compensate for flight delays and cancellations in these cases.

But you always have to double check what you’re told.

Because not always airlines are telling you the truth. It is especially important when you are claiming compensation on your own. To avoid paying compensation, airlines often refuse by saying that the flight was cancelled due to “extraordinary circumstances”. Even though it wasn’t. You have to double check. Always ask for proof. Be persistent. 

Keep in mind that staff strikes and technical problems are not extraordinary circumstances.

If claiming compensation sounds like a hassle, work with a flight compensation company. 

Just fill in our claim form, and experts will check it on your behalf. 

1.2 Right to Care

Your Finnair flight is cancelled last-minute.

Now you have to wait at the airport for a new flight.

In this case you have a right to care from the airline.

Thanks to the EU Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, if it’s at least a 3-hour wait, you can expect to receive certain services from the airline, free of charge. It is called right to care. What does it mean for you as a passenger?

Finnair must offer you free meals and drinks in a reasonable relation to the waiting time, two free phone calls, e-mails or faxes. If your new flight is leaving only on the next day, a free hotel stay (including free transfer) must be offered.

It doesn’t affect your chances of getting compensation.

1.3 Finnair Flight Cancellation Refund, Finnair Refund Policy

And again, the rules are very specific.

These rules aren’t affected by Finnair internal policies (Finnair refund policy). If your flight is cancelled, Finnair should offer you either a new flight or a full refund for cancellation. It applies to most Finnair flight cancellations. 

Refunds normally are paid within 7 days.

You don’t have to agree to a Finnair voucher refund.

Here’s an excerpt from the Regulation (EC) No 261/2004:

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, Article 8

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.

It doesn’t cover cases when you yourself cancel a Finnair flight.

Read more: Waiting Too Long For Your Finnair Refund? Here’s What You Can Do

2. How to Claim Finnair Compensation?

There are two ways how you can claim Finnair flight cancellation compensation.

One of them is more time consuming, the other – easier.

One of the options is to contact Finnair directly. Call or write an e-mail to Finnair customer support center. You can also contact them via the contact form on their website or social media channels. Request compensation for cancellation. If you are claiming compensation yourself, be prepared that it may take a few months, and several reminder emails, until you receive your compensation from Finnair.

You can also take the easiest path — legal representation.

You don’t have to contact the airline yourself. Everything is done by a flight compensation company. Just fill in one form, and wait for your compensation. Our partners offer such services.

Read more:

• How to Claim Finnair Compensation?
• Your Finnair Compensation Claim Is Denied. Now What?

2.1 How Long Does It Take?

If everything goes well — 2 to 3 months.

Unfortunately, not always everything goes smoothly. If the airline refuses to cooperate, you will need to take additional steps to get compensation the airline owes you. You will need to take your case to a national enforcement body or even court. It may add at least a couple of months, sometimes even more, to the process.

3. How Much Can You Claim?

The compensation amount in the EU go up to €600 per person.

Here is how you can calculate your Finnair compensation:

When your destination is within the EU/UK:

When your destination is outside the EU/UK:

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 amount (that means €300, not €600).

3.1 Finnair Voucher Refund or Cash?

What if you are offered a voucher instead of compensation?

You don’t have to accept vouchers. Airline compensation and refunds have to be paid in cash or by bank transfer. It applies to all Finnair flights. 

4. What Happens If a Flight Is Cancelled?

What to do if your Finnair flight is cancelled?

First of all, wait for the email from Finnair. This email will contain all the necessary information on what to do next. Most probably, you will be able to change your flight or receive a full refund. But if you are already at the airport, and it’s a very last-minute cancellation, follow the information about your flight and wait for the announcement from the airline. 

In most cases, you’ll be given a choice between a new flight and a full refund. If you choose a refund, take into account that you won’t receive it right away. Usually the refunds are made within 7 days.

Also there are situations when Finnair is also obliged to pay compensation. If your Finnair flight is cancelled less than 2 weeks before departure, and it’s due to the fault of the airline, you are entitled to receive flight cancellation compensation from Finnair.

4.1 Connecting Flights

Do you need to be on time for another flight?

If it’s a Finnair connecting flight, don’t worry. If you miss your connection because your previous flight was delayed or cancelled, Finnair will book you on another flight free of charge. 

But if it’s a self transfer (separately booked flights), unfortunately, you will have to deal with the consequences yourself. Even if these are separately-booked Finnair flights.

As you haven’t booked your flights under one booking reference (airline-protected connecting flight), the airline is not responsible for missed connections. You will need to pay for the a flight yourself. Travel insurance that covers trip interruptions and changes may cover the costs.

Finnair Flight Cancellation Compensation and Refund: FAQ

Finnair Refund

EU – Non-EU Flights, Tourists

Other Situations

What is your experience? Have you ever received Finnair flight cancellation compensation? Do you still have questions about Finnair compensation claim procedures and policies? Ask in the comments.