TAP Flight Delay Compensation

TAP flight delay compensation.

How to claim for delayed flight? And how much can you get?

In Europe, if your flight is heavily delayed due to the airline’s fault, you are entitled to compensation from the airline. It doesn’t matter what is your age, nationality, the price of your ticket, or whether or not you have travel insurance. All passengers are protected in the event of flight delay. How to claim compensation for a delayed flight?

One of the options is to let professionals deal with this.

Or, you can pursue flight delay compensation on your own.

1. TAP Flight Delay Compensation: EU Regulations

Overall, the EU flight delay compensation rules are simple.

You can get flight delay compensation, if you reach your destination at least 3 hours later than the scheduled time, and the delay is due to the fault of the airline.

If you’re flying to or from Europe, your flight is delayed for 3+ hours, and the delay is due to the fault of TAP, you might be eligible to compensation of up to €600. If your flight is with a non-EU (e.g., Qatar Airways, Etihad, Turkish Airlines, etc.), it applies only to flights departing from the EU.

Could you be entitled to TAP flight delay compensation?

Yes, if:

• It’s a 3+ hour delay;
• It’s due to the fault of TAP;
• Flight is to/from Europe.

So, all the above mentioned rules apply to all TAP delays and cancellations.

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

There are situations when you can’t get compensation. 

Flights delayed due to “extraordinary circumstances” are not eligible to compensation. 

Extraordinary circumstances are events outside of the airline’s control such as bad weather, natural disasters, civil unrest, terrorism threat and security issues at the airport. If your TAP flight is delayed due to one of these events, you can’t get flight delay compensation from TAP. These are the laws in the EU.

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

Especially if you are claiming compensation on your own. Because airlines often tell wrong reasons for delays and wrongly refuse compensation claims. This is done to avoid paying compensation and avoid losing money. If you are claiming compensation yourself, be prepared for that. Always ask for proof and be persistent.

If this sounds like a hassle, work with a flight compensation company, just to be sure you aren’t being lied to. They can check your flight and claim compensation on your behalf. Our partners offer such services.

Fill in the claim form on our website to initiate the compensation claim process.

1.2 How to Calculate the Delay Time?

What really matters is the time of arrival to your destination.

Not the time of departure, but the time of arrival. This also applies to connecting flights with two or more consecutive flight legs. In that case, your “real destination” is the final destination. When you calculate the delay time, see how much later you arrived at your final destination.

Flight delay time is calculated based on the actual time of arrival to your destination, specifically, when the doors of the airplane are opened. If the doors are opened 3 or more hours after the original arrival time, you can get compensation. Keep in mind that you can’t calculate the delay time based on the time of departure.

1.3 Right to Care

In Europe you also have a right to care.

If your flight is delayed for 3+ hours, you can expect certain services from the airline. These services have to be provided for free. In case of EU airlines, it applies to all their flights.

TAP must offer you free meals and drinks in a reasonable relation to the waiting time, two free phone calls, e-mails or faxes. If the flight is delayed overnight, you should be offered accommodation and transportation from and to the airport as well. In Europe all passengers are eligible for this type of care from the airline.

2. How to Claim TAP Compensation For Delayed Flight?

How to claim flight delay compensation TAP owes you?

There are two ways you can do it online.

One of the options is to contact TAP yourself. It’s not a difficult process. It just takes time. So, how to claim compensation on your own? Call or write an e-mail to TAP customer support center and request compensation for flight delay. Refer to the above the mentioned EU Regulation. Keep in mind that it could take a few months until you get flight delay compensation from TAP.

Make sure you have all the necessary information about your flight. Also make sure you know the reason why your flight was delayed, and how long the delay was.

The more information you have, the better for you.

The second option is — legal representation.

It’s the easiest of the two options.

You need to fill in one form and sign one document. And the rest will be done on your behalf. Our partners offer such services.

Read more: Your TAP Compensation Claim Is Rejected. What Now?

2.1 How Long Does It Take?

No matter how you proceed, it isn’t a short process. 

If everything goes smoothly, you can get your compensation in 2-3 months. But when it comes to airline compensations, often the process isn’t that smooth, unfortunately. Airlines often refuse to cooperate, and wrongly refuse compensation claims. Then it is necessary to take the case to a national enforcement body or court. And it will add at least a couple of months, sometimes even 6 or more months to the whole process.

3. How Much Can You Claim?

The compensation amount is fixed and range from €250 to €600.

How to calculate your TAP delayed flight compensation?

Use this simple flight delay compensation calculator.

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 TAP Voucher Refund or Cash?

You might be offered a voucher or coupon instead of compensation.

Majority of airlines were offering coupons during the COVID crisis. And many still do that. But do you have to accept vouchers as a refund or cancellation? No. You can request cash or bank transfer. Compensations we are talking about in this article have to be paid to your bank card.

TAP Flight Delay Compensation: FAQ

EU – Non-EU Flights, Tourists

Other Situations

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