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Christmas and winter flight disruption: what to do

There is no special Christmas rule. The same rules apply, but winter storms and crowded airports make weather and staffing the common reasons.

Updated

Do the basics first

  1. Ask the airline which circumstance caused the disruption, and note the time and the name of the person.
  2. Take photos of the departure board and keep every message.
  3. Keep receipts for meals, hotels and transport while you wait.
  4. Claim later, with the documents. See claim yourself.

What the rules do not change

  • A cancellation announced 14 days or more ahead is not compensated under EU261.
  • Winter weather is usually accepted as extraordinary. A crew shortage is not.
  • In the United States, a cancelled flight means a refund within 7 business days on a card if you do not take the alternative.

Dates

Winter claims peak between December and February. Time limits are national. Check claim deadlines before you wait.

Check your flight

Where the trip started. For one booking with connections, the first airport.

Where the trip ended: the final destination.

The operating airline, not the one on the ticket. A boarding pass or the flight status page names it.

What happened

At the final destination, when the aircraft door opened.

We read this to explain the result. We never decide whether it counts as extraordinary.

Carried into the claim letter. It does not change the amount.

Results

Enter both airports and the airline to see a result.

Loading the airport list

Choose where the trip started, where it ended, the airline and what happened. The result updates as you type.

Information, not advice

Hours Late is not a law firm and not a claims company. It does not file claims for you. The results are estimates from published rules and the details you enter. They are not legal advice. Airlines and courts decide each case.

Sources