Flight compensation Norwegian Air Shuttle:
Helsinki — Athens

Legal right to compensation: Norwegian Air Shuttle flight between Helsinki and Athens

The HEL - ATH route operated by Norwegian Air Shuttle experienced a disruption? Whether it was a technical or operational issue, you could claim a flat sum.

By taking off from Helsinki Vantaa Airport, you are protected by the EU's legal framework. The distance of 2 490 km determines your legal compensation level.

Why are you entitled to 400 €?

The European Regulation EC 261/2004 is very strict regarding air passenger rights. The amount of fixed compensation does not depend on the price of your ticket, but only on the flight distance.

Did you know? Even if Norwegian Air Shuttle is a non-EU airline, if the flight takes off from Helsinki Vantaa Airport, the European regulation applies in full.

How to know if the flight Norwegian Air Shuttle Helsinki - Athens is eligible?

To determine if your trip between Helsinki and Athens entitles you to compensation, the main criterion is the delay at arrival (and not at departure). It must be more than 3 hours.

Also note that the distance of 2 490 km perfectly justifies the compensation bracket of 400 €. This amount is net and the airline cannot derogate from it in its own terms and conditions.

What are the conditions for Norwegian Air Shuttle to compensate you?

• Delay at arrival: You arrived with more than 3 hours delay at Athens.
• Cancellation: The airline cancelled the flight less than 14 days before departure.
• Overbooking: You were denied boarding against your will at Helsinki airport.
• Airline responsibility: The problem must be attributable to Norwegian Air Shuttle (technical problem, sick crew, scheduling...).

The impact of a strike on your Norwegian Air Shuttle compensation

Don't be fooled by Norwegian Air Shuttle's vague terms: a 'wildcat' or declared strike remains the management responsibility of the company.

Warning however: if the cancellation is directly attributable to the airport staff or a decision by air navigation, Norwegian Air Shuttle is released from its obligation to pay the legal indemnity of 400 euros, but not from its duty of assistance.

What are your rights at Helsinki airport in case of prolonged wait?

Don't buy your food without first asking Norwegian Air Shuttle for coupons. If you do, keep your receipts carefully.

Your forced stay at Helsinki shouldn't cost you a penny more than originally planned for your HEL-ATH trip.

Steps: how to get your 400 € from Norwegian Air Shuttle?

For your Helsinki - Athens trip, every minute counts. Note the reasons given by Norwegian Air Shuttle staff at the Helsinki Vantaa Airport counter during the incident.

If you don't have the time or the desire to engage in long email exchanges, delegating your claim to lawyers is the most effective solution to see your 400 € arrive in your bank account.

How long does it take to get the 400 € compensation?

Patience is often the watchword. Airlines receive thousands of requests weekly and processing your file for the flight from Helsinki to Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport can drag on if you don't follow up.

Technology today allows real-time tracking of the progress of your request against Norwegian Air Shuttle on your smartphone.

What to do faced with silence or refusal from the airline?

Hitting a wall or getting a 'standard' negative response is unfortunately the lot of many passengers who claim only for the prejudice suffered on the Helsinki - Athens line.

If you are certain of your right, you can refer to the Civil Aviation of the country of departure, or better yet, escalate the matter to the lower courts with the help of a specialized partner lawyer.