Last-Minute Flight Cancellation: Your Rights

Was your Norwegian flight cancelled last minute?

Flight cancellations can be incredibly frustrating, as they can disrupt your travel plans. Particularly if you have multiple bookings. However, the good news is that Norwegian’s flight cancellation policy, as well as flight cancellations in Europe, are governed by laws that protect passengers. This has been the case for more than a decade. As a result, if Norwegian cancels your flight, they are responsible for taking care of you as a passenger and finding a solution.

1. Norwegian Flight Cancellation: Last-Minute Flight Cancellation

If Norwegian cancels your flight, they are responsible for taking care of you.

Here’s what you need to know:

1. If because of that you have a long wait at the airport, you are entitled to care from Norwegian, which may include a coupon for a free meal or free hotel accommodation and transfer.
2. If you choose not to take the new flight provided by Norwegian, you are eligible for a full refund, either as a direct bank transfer or a refundable Norwegian voucher.
3. If your flight is cancelled by Norwegian due to their fault, up to 2 weeks before the original departure date, you can claim flight cancellation compensation from Norwegian.

Are you going to miss a connecting flight due to cancellation?

First of all, you are have a right to care, because you are stranded at the airport.

Secondly, Norwegian must book you on another connecting flight for free.

In addition, you may be entitled to compensation. Refer to our guide on Norwegian missed connection compensation. In short – the rules are the same as with flight delays. Simply consider how much later you arrived at your destination compared to your original arrival time.

These laws apply to all Norwegian flights to and from Europe.

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.

2. What to Do if Your Flight Is Cancelled Last-Minute?

If your flight gets cancelled at the last minute, the steps you need to take will depend on your current location. Are you already on your way to the airport, or are you still at home?

2.1 If You Are Still at Home or Hotel

It is recommended that you stay where you are for the time being.

Contact Norwegian customer service to find out what your next steps are. As mentioned before, Norwegian will provide assistance.

You will be booked on a new flight. The representatives will tell you about the available flight options. However, it is possible that your new flight will be on the next day.

If the cancellation was due to extraordinary circumstances, you have the right to a free alternative flight to your destination, or a refund (if preferred). If it’s due to the airline’s fault, in addition to that, you can get flight cancellation compensation.

2.2 If You Are Already at the Airport

In case you are already at the airport and your flight has been cancelled, it is important not to proceed through airport security. Instead, follow these steps:

• Find out about the new flight options from Norwegian representatives. They will provide you with a new boarding pass and instructions on how to proceed. Keep in mind that you are entitled to care while you wait for your new flight.
• If your new (replacement) flight is only on the next day, a free hotel stay must be provided, as well as free meals.
• You will need to complete the check-in process again and, if you have luggage, check it in once more and pass through passport control.

If you have already cleared security, try to return to the landside (public access) area of the airport.

Remember to contact Norwegian representatives as soon as possible to get assistance.

3. Norwegian Flight Cancellation Compensation

In the UK/EU, there are specific regulations concerning flight compensation.

If your flight gets cancelled less than 2 weeks before the day of departure, it is considered a last-minute cancellation. In many cases, you may be entitled to compensation.

Here are the rules.

Your flight is cancelled 7 – 14 days before the scheduled time of departure:

• You choose a new flight offered by Norwegian, which departs not more than 2 hours before the original departure time and you reach your destination less than 4 hours after the original arrival time. In this situation you are not entitled to compensation.
• In other situations you are entitled to compensation.

Your flight is cancelled less than 7 days before the scheduled time of departure:

• You choose a new flight offered by Norwegian, which departs not more than 1 hour before the original departure time and you reach your destination less than 2 hours after the original arrival time. In this situation you are not entitled to compensation.
• In other situations you are entitled to compensation.

Conditions for claiming flight cancellation compensation:

• Flight cancelled due to the airline’s fault;
• Flight is within Europe, to Europe, or from Europe;
• It’s a last-minute flight cancellation (less than 2 weeks).

Read more:

• Norwegian Flight Cancellation Compensation
• Norwegian Compensation Claim Denied: What’s Next?
• Your Norwegian Refund Is Taking Forever? Here’s Your Plan of Action

4. Norwegian Flight Cancellation Refund

In the unfortunate event that a Norwegian flight is cancelled, passengers have the right to either a rescheduled flight to their intended destination or a complete refund. Your choice between these two options will likely be dictated by your individual circumstances and future travel plans.

Norwegian have to assure that the refund will be processed within 7 days.

It’s crucial to recognize that the rights to compensation and refund are two separate things under UK/EU flight compensation laws. So, you might still be eligible for compensation as well, depending on the specific details of the flight cancellation, even if you’ve opted for a refund.

4.1 What Happens If You Cancel a Flight?

If you, as the passenger, decide to cancel your flight, the refund conditions are subject to change. The refund policy of Norwegian is largely dependent on the type of ticket you’ve purchased.

Fully-flexible tickets are usually refundable in most cases, whereas low-cost, non-flexible tickets might not be eligible for a refund. It is always recommended to review the specific conditions associated with your ticket or contact Norwegian’s customer service for detailed information. If your travel insurance covers cancellations, securing a refund via your insurance provider may be a feasible option.

5. How to Claim Norwegian Flight Compensation / Refund?

To get refund for a cancelled flight from Norwegian, click here.

For more information, visit the website of Norwegian.

What about compensation? To get compensation for a cancelled flight from Norwegian, it’s important to file a claim. You can do this by contacting their customer service (you can use their website, too). Don’t feel obliged to accept travel vouchers, as you’re entitled to compensation in the form of a direct payment into your bank account. The amount you receive will depend on predetermined rules set out in EC Regulation 261 and can range from 250 to 600 euros.

If you don’t want any hassle, work with a flight compensation company.

When you choose this option, everything is handled by professionals. They make a claim and complete the process on your behalf. Follow the steps below.

Have you ever missed a connection? Was it a connecting flight with Norwegian? Share your experience. Do you have any questions about Norwegian missed connection compensation policies? Ask in the comments.