Can you claim compensation if flight is cancelled due to technical problems?

idkwia

Recently was due to fly to Zurich from Heathrow and return same day. Flight with Swiss was due to leave Heathrow at 0935, I got text message at 0600 telling me flight had been cancelled due to technical problems with the plane. No alternative offered. Got refund and I rebooked flight for 1 month later. Am I entitled to compensation?

I have looked on the main site here and could not find anything about flight being cancelled due to technical problems and whether or not that would be considered a safety issue and hence the airline had no choice.

Davidvgoliath

idkwia wrote: »

Recently was due to fly to Zurich from Heathrow and return same day. Flight with Swiss was due to leave Heathrow at 0935, I got text message at 0600 telling me flight had been cancelled due to technical problems with the plane. No alternative offered. Got refund and I rebooked flight for 1 month later. Am I entitled to compensation?

I have looked on the main site here and could not find anything about flight being cancelled due to technical problems and whether or not that would be considered a safety issue and hence the airline had no choice.

A clear case of denied boarding, so EU 261/2004 will apply (although a non EU airlines, as Switzerland is not in the EU, you were due to board in an EU member state). By my calculations the distance is less than 1500 km, so you are due 250 Euros compensation IN CASH.

There is a template letter in the FAQ's, write to Swiss and ask for compensation.

If they deny it, it will be likely be because they will claim a technical fault with the aircraft is 'extraordinary circumstances'. It is highly likely not to be. See FAQ for more info (suggest you read these anyway as very helpful) and post back if you have problems - lots of help available

Bob_the_Saver

Davidvgoliath wrote: »

so you are due 250 Euros compensation IN CASH.

Would that be Swiss Francs in a brown envelope?