The rights of passengers when they claim a low-cost flight are simply the same as for any other type of flight.
The fact that the flight is cheaper does not limit the obligations of the airlines. Greater or lesser compensation of a low-cost flight does not correspond to the ticket price, as compensation is due for damages and losses resulting from the incident. If a flight is delayed, a determined damage and loss occurs, which has nothing to do with the price but with moral harm. Low-cost does not mean fewer rights.
Many low-cost airlines respond to passenger claims by citing loopholes, indicating that this does not apply in these cases due to the price.
Given that low-cost airlines are largely the ones that produce the most delays and cancellations, establishing lower compensation could “compensate” for the fact that the airline has more (even more if possible) reasons to arrive on time or cancel a flight. After all… if it costs them almost nothing economically, why bother so much.
If you want to claim a low-cost flight, you will need to refer to the same regulations: EU Regulation 261/2004 which allows you to claim for delays of more than 3 hours, cancellations, and overbookings. If you want to claim for baggage on a flight, the Montreal Convention applies.
In other cases, it is the passengers themselves who, having booked a low-cost flight, do not believe it is worth claiming. They unconsciously believe that it is not worth it because they understand that compensation is linked or depends on the price.
However, when claiming a flight, whether low-cost or high-cost, what is being requested are objective compensations between €250 and €600 depending on the distance of the flight in kilometers as you can see in the following table.
Compensation according to EU Regulation 261/2004 for claiming a low-cost flight
Distance in Km | Compensation for delay |
Less than 1500 km | 250€ |
Between 1500 and 3500 km | 400€ |
More than 3500 km | 600€ |
Additionally, costs incurred or not enjoyed and damages and losses resulting from the incident will be requested
Therefore, a low-cost flight can be compensated if a claim is made with more money than other more expensive ones.
If you want to claim a low-cost flight, you can do so here