Did you know that if your flight on Thai Airways is delayed by more than 3 hours or you’ve been disallowed boarding on a confirmed flight, you have certain rights under EU Regulation 261/2004? The Thai Airways flight delay compensation will only be due if Thai Airways is to blame for the delay—and certain other conditions.
When Am I entitled to Thai Airways Flight Delay Compensation?
Under the EU Regulation 261/2004, you are eligible to claim compensation from Thai Airways only if:
- Your flight departs from an airport in the European Union/U.K. or an airport outside the EU and you’re traveling on an EU airline, unless you were compensated, benefitted, or provided assistance in the third country, and
- You hold a confirmed booking on the Thai Airways flight, and
- You check in on time (except if the Thai airways flight is cancelled), or if no check-in time has been provided, you check in no less than 45 minutes prior to the published departure time, and
- You purchased your Thai Airways ticket at a price open to the public
What is Considered a Flight Delay under EU Regulation 261/2004
According to the EU Regulation 261/2004, a flight delay occurs only when flights are delayed beyond their scheduled departure time by:
- 2 hours if the flight distance is up to 1,500km
- 3 hours if the flight distance is 1,500 – 3,500km
- 3 hours if the intra-community flight distance exceeds 1,500km
- 4 hours if the flight distance exceeds 3,500km
How Much is the Thai Airways Flight Delay Compensation?
The Thai Airways flight delay compensation ranges from €250 – €600, depending on the flight distance and delay, as shown below.
- The flight delay compensation for flights within 1,500km is €250
- The flight delay compensation for flights between 1,500 – 3,500km is €400
- The flight delay compensation for intra-community flights exceeding 1,500km is €400
- The flight delay compensation for distances more than 3,500km €600
Aside from flight delay compensation, you are also entitled to certain care benefits while you wait for your Thai Airways flight. These include:
- Refreshments and meals subject to the waiting period
- Hotel accommodation (if required) plus transfer cost, and
- The option to make 2 brief phone calls, or send 2 short faxes or e-mails
Exceptions
- You may not be provided care if the care would result in further delay
- If your flight delay exceeds 5 hours, you are entitled to a full refund within 7 days:
- For the unused portion of your flight ticket, or
- For the used portion of your flight ticket if the flight doesn’t serve any purpose, and if required, a return flight to your first departure point at no additional cost to you
Thai Airways Denied Boarding
If you are denied boarding (involuntarily or voluntarily) on a confirmed flight (such as if more passengers check-in), you have the right to:
- Receive care as mentioned in the section above, and
- Take any of the following flight options:
- The next alternative flight to your destination under comparable conditions, or
- A later flight to your destination provided you pay for your food, hotel accommodation, and transfer, or
- Obtain a full refund plus compensation payable by cash, check, bank transfer, or voucher (whichever suits you)
Denied Boarding Compensation
The denied boarding compensation amount will depend on the flight distance and the alternate flight offered to you, as shown below. The denied boarding compensation on Thai Airways is:
- €250 if the flight distance is not more than 1,500km,
- €400 if the flight distance is 1,500 – 3,500km
- €400 if the flight distance for intra-community is more than 1,500 km
- €600 if the flight distance is more than 3,500 km
Note: The denied boarding compensation (above) will be reduced by 50% if you’re offered an alternative flight that is scheduled to arrive:
- Within 2 hours of the original flight for flight distances of up to 1,500km
- Within 3 hours of the original flight for flight distances between 1,500 – 3,500km
- Within 3 hours of the original flight for intra-community flights exceeding 1,500km
- Within 4 hours of the original flight for other flights
Exception: You will not be entitled to any denied boarding compensation if you are denied boarding on reasonable grounds—such as health reasons, security reasons, or inadequate documentation.
Thai Airways Flight Cancellation Compensation To learn about Thai Airways flight cancellation compensation, refer to the Thai Airways Cancellation Policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
The FAQs section below answers some of the most commonly asked questions on Thai Airways flight delay compensation, so do go through them.
Thai Airways will only compensate you for flight delays exceeding 3 hours if your flight departs from an airport in the European Union or the United Kingdom, as long the reason the flight delay is within the airline’s control and not due to extraordinary circumstances like weather, etc. On other routes, you will only be entitled to compensation due to boarding denial on an overbooked flight.
Yes, all passengers (including unaccompanied minors) are entitled to flight delay compensation, as long as the flight is covered under EU Regulation 261.
Thai Airways will compensate you for any flight delayed by 3 hours or more, as long as it departs from an airport in the EU or the United Kingdom and the reason for the delay is within the airline’s control (and not extraordinary circumstances like the weather, airport/political strikes, etc.).
Thai Airways’ compensation for any flight delayed EU 261 Regulations is:
1. €250 if your flight’s distance is within 1,500km
2. €400 if your flight’s distance is 1,500 – 3,500km
3. €400 if an intra-community flight’s distance is more than 1,500km
4. €600 if your flight’s distance is more than 3,500km
The above compensation will be reduced by half if you’re offered an alternative flight that lands within 2 – 4 hours after your original flight.
The flight delay compensation offered by Thai Airways for flights covered under EU 261 Regulations ranges from €250 to €600, depending on the flight distance. The flight delay compensation for:
1. Flights within 1.5K kilometers is €250
2. Flights between 1.5K – 3.5K kilometers is €400
3. Intra-community flights exceeding 1.5K kilometers is €400
4. Flights of more than 3.5K kilometers is €600
However, if you’re offered an alternative flight that lands between 2 – 4 hours after your original flight, the flight delay compensation will be reduced by 50%.
Your flight must be delayed by at least 3 hours for you to receive flight delay compensation from Thai Airways, provided your flight is covered by EU 261 Regulations. If your flight is not covered under EU 261 Regulations, you may not be entitled to receive any financial compensation, unless the destination country’s laws require it.
To file a flight delay compensation claim with Thai Airways, you should:
1. Ask a Thai Airways representative at the airport how to file for compensation.
2. If the first step doesn’t work, describe the problem on Thai Airways’ Twitter account.
3. Get in touch with the Thai Airways claims department, explain the problem, and ask how to submit a flight delay claim.
You will receive your flight delay compensation however you prefer: by cash, check, bank transfer, or voucher.
Your THAI flight must be delayed by at least 5 hours for you to cancel it and obtain a full refund.
Thai Airways will inform you of any change in flight status by phone (SMS) or email, depending on what communication details you’ve provided to the airline. Alternatively, you can check your flight status through the Flight Status tab on Thai Airways’ official website (or mobile app) or by calling the airline’s office in your area.
You can stay current with Thai Airways’ flight status through the Flight Status tab on ThaiAirways.com, through the airline’s mobile app, or by contacting the Thai Airways office in your city.
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