SAS Airlines, also known as Scandinavian Airlines, was established in 1946 and sent its first intercontinental flight from Stockholm to New York City the same year. The airline was formed by combining three separate carriers and continues to operate one subsidiary out of each founding country – Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. All carriers operate under the SAS trademark. To claim flight delay compensation in the EU, you would file at the main headquarters in Stockholm.
SAS operates mainly in Scandinavia, with the most flights to and from those countries. In 2018, SAS operated more than 800 flights per day, taking 30 million passengers to 125 destinations in the EU, Asia, and America. Its main hub is Copenhagen Airport, followed by Stockholm Airport and Oslo Airport. The airline has been ranked as one of the best in the world by several publications, and its on-time flight rate and customer ratings are high. However, you may still find yourself needing to claim compensation for flight delays or cancellations from SAS Airlines.
Flight delay compensation in the EU doesn’t cover every passenger or flight. Before you file a claim, ensure you’re eligible based on your flight route, the actions you’ve taken before the flight, and the reason for the delay or cancellation.
The first criteria is that your flight must take off or land within the EU, and the airline must have headquarters within the EU. All of SAS Airlines’ subsidiaries have headquarters in the EU, so you can check that box. If your SAS flight takes off or lands in the EU, you’ve already fulfilled the first criteria. Now take into account the flight’s origin and destination:
Not every passenger can file for flight delay compensation. If you were late checking in or if the airline gave you sufficient notice of the cancellation, you may not be eligible. You must fulfill these criteria:
The most important condition for SAS delayed flight compensation is whether the cancellation or delay was within the airline’s control. Situations outside their control, termed “extraordinary circumstances,” are not covered by EU laws. These include:
On the other hand, reasons like the following are covered:
Always ask the airline for the reason behind your delay or cancellation. If you think the airline is unfairly claiming extraordinary circumstances, contact an expert like TravelRefund.
The amount of compensation depends on factors like the length of the delay and the flight distance. Compensation for delayed flights differs from that for cancelled flights. Here are the details.
A flight is officially considered delayed if you arrive at your destination at least three hours later than originally scheduled. If your flight departs late but makes up time and arrives within three hours, you’re not eligible for compensation. Your arrival time is officially when at least one of the plane’s doors opens.
If you arrive more than three hours late, the following compensation may apply:
Cancelled flight compensation is more straightforward. If your SAS flight was cancelled with less than 14 days notice and for reasons within the airline’s control, you may be entitled to the following compensation based on flight distance:
If your flight is cancelled, you can take the next available flight or get a full refund. You can also claim compensation regardless of whether you take the next flight or opt for a refund.
Documentation is essential for compensation claims. Get the reason for the delay or cancellation in writing, as this will be crucial in court if needed. Even straightforward explanations, such as weather, may not be clear-cut. For instance, overlapping reasons could play a role, or the airline could falsely claim an extraordinary circumstance.
You can file a compensation claim directly with SAS by following the steps on their website. However, the process can be time-consuming and involve lengthy communications with the airline. This is where TravelRefund can help. We’ll handle all communication and take your claim to court if necessary.
At TravelRefund, we operate on a no cure, no pay system, meaning you only pay if we win. Ready to get started? Just make a claim on our website, and we’ll handle the rest.
If your SAS flight is cancelled, you may be entitled to compensation, a refund, or rebooking on an alternative flight under EU Regulation 261/2004.
SAS may cancel flights due to staffing issues, mechanical problems, or adverse weather conditions. Check with the airline for specific reasons.
Yes, if SAS cancels your flight, you are entitled to a refund of your ticket price, in addition to potential compensation under EU law.
To get compensation from SAS for a cancelled flight, file a claim with the airline, or let TravelRefund assist you in this process.