EU regulations on flight downgrade compensation.
Are you eligible for Norwegian flight downgrade compensation when you’ve been downgraded? What’s the claim amount, and what are the conditions? Typically, downgrades are rare when it comes to budget airlines because these airlines don’t offer multiple travel classes or a plethora of extra services. However, that doesn’t mean a downgrade is impossible.
In this context, no specific regulations exist, making guidelines regarding to downgrades on budget carriers and associated compensation rather unclear.
1. Norwegian Compensation Types
In Europe, the rights of air passengers are safeguarded.
These rights are upheld by Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 and Regulation UK261. In case of flight disruption, you are eligible for care from the airline. There are also situations where UK/EU flight compensation might be applicable. This right to care and compensation stands valid even when you’re flying with a budget carrier (Norwegian, Ryanair, easyJet, etc.). As per the regulation, the airline you’re flying with or the price of your ticket doesn’t affect your rights.
This is applicable to all flights departing from, arriving at, or within Europe.
EU Compensation Types:
- When a flight is delayed, you could obtain flight delay compensation.
- In case a flight is cancelled — flight cancellation compensation.
- If you are denied boarding — denied boarding compensation.
So what about EU flight downgrade compensation?
It tends to vary depending on the airline. For those travelling with a traditional airline, frequently referred to as a full-service airline, flight downgrade compensation could be immediate. This is applicable when your Business class ticket is downgraded to Economy, or your First class ticket is downgraded to Business or Economy. The compensation for downgrade varies between 30 to 75% of the ticket price, based on your flight distance.
Downgrades don’t impact your luggage allowance.
However, it’s different with budget airlines.
Why is this so? Budget airlines downgrades aren’t regulated.
Also, they are quite unusual as budget airlines typically don’t offer Business or First class seats. However, a downgrade may occur if the aircraft type changes, and if for any reason, the premium seat you booked is not available, you might be downgraded.
Have you experienced a downgrade?
Request a compensation from Norwegian.
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. Norwegian Downgrade Compensation
There are no rules regarding this.
Downgrades on budget airlines aren’t regulated.
The most practical solution is to apply for compensation from Norwegian and be hopeful. If the seat you receive is inferior in cost to the one you purchased, it’s only fair to ask the airline to reimburse the difference, right?
On low-cost airlines, downgrades commonly happen when the designated aircraft is not available for the flight and gets substituted by a different type of aircraft. This change can lead to the elimination of premium seat rows. As the majority of budget airline planes are of the same or similar type, downgrades are scarce occurrences on budget airlines. They occur more frequently on full-service flights operated by traditional airlines (Air France, KLM, Lufthansa, etc.).
3. How to Claim Norwegian Flight Downgrade Compensation?
You can simply reach out to the Norwegian customer support through any available means.
As discussed before, no universal guidelines exist for such scenarios. This is contrary to situations with full-service airlines, where you are protected by the EU / UK law, and can get between 30 to 75% of the ticket price, depending on the distance of your flight.
With Norwegian, you would consider yourself fortunate to receive a refund of the difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What Do You Mean By Flight Downgrade?
A flight downgrade refers to a situation where a passenger is shifted from a higher class, such as business or premium, to a class lower, like the economy. This typically happens due to overbooking, wherein the airline sells more tickets than there are seats available, or if there’s a change in the aircraft type used for the flight.
These changes can cause the airline to have fewer amenities or space than what was initially promised, resulting in the downgrade of some passengers.
Q2: Can I Receive Compensation If My Norwegian Flight Is Downgraded?
Although specific rules or regulations regarding downgrades on budget airlines like Norwegian are not in place, it doesn’t mean passengers are left with no alternatives. For instance, if you find out that you have been allocated a lower class seat than what you initially paid for, it’s recommended to get in touch with the airline. Then, you can request a refund of the price difference between the seat you paid for and the one you were given.
The airline’s response may differ, but it’s important to stand up for your rights as a passenger.
Q3: How Do I Claim Compensation for a Norwegian Flight Downgrade?
To claim compensation for a flight downgrade with Norwegian, the first step is to contact their customer support. This can be done through any of their provided channels, like email, phone, or social media platforms. In a clear and concise manner, explain your situation, giving all necessary details about your flight and the downgrade.
While the response can vary, it’s a meaningful step towards getting a refund.
Q4: Are Flight Downgrades Frequent with Norwegian?
Flight downgrades are not common, especially with budget airlines like Norwegian.
This is mainly because these airlines often do not have separate travel classes to downgrade from. However, changes in aircraft types that result in fewer premium seats that you had previously booked may lead to a downgrade.
Even though it’s an infrequent occurrence, it’s beneficial to be aware of these rules. And to know how to handle it if a situation like this happens.
Q5: Does a Downgrade Influence My Baggage Allowance?
A downgrade, while it impacts your seating class, does not affect your baggage allowance. This means even with the downgrade, you can still carry the same quantity of luggage you were initially allowed. You do not lose any baggage rights due to the change in seating class.
So, irrespective of the class you eventually get seated in, you still have the baggage allowance that comes with the ticket you originally bought.
What is your experience with flight downgrades? Have you ever been downgraded? Did you receive flight downgrade compensation from the airline?