Air France launches a scheme to avoid paying compensation to its passengers

SWING, the new scheme with which Air France will try to get out of the obligations established by Regulation EC 261/2004. The legal document states that an airline should pay EUR 250, 400 or 600 (depending on different criteria) to passengers whose flights have been delayed, cancelled or overbooked. However, they are planning on exploiting a loophole.

If you accept credit or a travel voucher, you’re renouncing your right to be compensated for your flight’s disruption

The system is set up taking into account mostly overbooked and cancelled flights. Air France plans to offer passengers a very similar replacement flight (or just a different viable option for them) and some Air France credit via email. You can immediately accept or reject the offer. However, if you were to be entitled to compensation and you accept the offer, you’d be giving up your right to claim your compensation. Furthermore, the airline prefers it if your money stays with them instead of going back into your pocket.

Here are the conditions that apply according to Air France:

• The offer applies to all customers in the same booking reference and each passenger receives the credit amount indicated in the email.
• Offer is limited and subject to availability.
• Each credit is issued to the passenger in question and valid for one year from the date of issue. It can be used in whole or in part, when purchasing air tickets or to cover other expenses (luggage, seat, meal, lounge, etc.) with Air France, KLM, HOP! and Joon.
• The credit can also be refunded, in an Air France agency or by phone, at the number indicated in the Contact page on their website.
• Each passenger can use 2 credits for a reservation, with a limit of 3 credits for the same booking.

Should I accept an offer if my flight has been overbooked, delayed or cancelled?

Every offer will be different, but probably they will not match the amounts established by the European regulations. Please remember the total amount in compensation that you’d be entitled to in such a case:

• For all flights covering a distance of up to 1,500 kilometres, you will receive up to £221.00
• For all flights covering a distance between 1,500 kilometres and 3,500 kilometres, you will receive up to £354.00
• For flights covering a distance greater than 3,500 kilometres, you are entitled to up to £531.00

If your flight travelled a distance greater than 3,500 kilometres and it was delayed more than 3 hours but fewer than 4, then the total amount of compensation is reduced by 50%. The regulation defines the totals in euros and they are €250, €400 and €600 respectively.

Air France already rejected your claim? We can still help!

If you’re uncertain if your flight delay or cancellation qualifies for compensation, once you’ve submitted your claim our team of experts will analyse the circumstances and assess your situation. If your claim has already been rejected by Air France, you can still submit your claim and our team will verify and corroborate the airline’s arguments. Very often, they assess the situation wrongly and reject perfectly valid claims; so don’t give up that easily and don’t worry, we’re here to help you!

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