Smartwings compensation: how to claim
Smartwings is registered in Czech Republic, so it counts as an EU carrier and its flights are covered in both directions.
- Registered in
- Czech Republic (EU carrier)
- Main bases
- Prague (PRG)
- Typical first response
- About 45 days
- Time limit where it is based
- 3 years (Czech Republic)
Smartwings is registered in Czech Republic, so it counts as an EU carrier and its flights are covered in both directions.
- Departing an EU airport: covered by EU261.
- Departing a UK airport: covered by UK261.
- Arriving in the EU from outside Europe: covered by EU261, because Smartwings is an EU carrier.
- Arriving in the UK from outside Europe: covered by UK261, which also protects arrivals on EU carriers.
How Smartwings handles claims
A charter-heavy operator whose aircraft are frequently sub-chartered to tour operators across Central Europe. The operating carrier on the day is who owes the compensation, whoever sold you the seat.
Prague to the Mediterranean and the Canaries is intra-EU and usually over 1,500 km, so €400 is the common figure.
The Czech Republic allows three years to claim, and the Civil Aviation Authority there handles complaints.
Charter operations mean substitute aircraft and long delays are more frequent than at a scheduled carrier of similar size.
What a delay on Smartwings is worth
| Route | Distance | Rules | Per passenger |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prague (PRG) → Paris (CDG) | 853 km | EU261 | €250 |
| Prague (PRG) → Barcelona (BCN) | 1,358 km | EU261 | €250 |
| Prague (PRG) → Rome (FCO) | 936 km | EU261 | €250 |
| Prague (PRG) → Amsterdam (AMS) | 705 km | EU261 | €250 |
Amounts are per passenger. The distance is the great-circle distance between the airports, which is what the Regulation uses — not the distance flown.
Claiming from Smartwings, by what happened
- Smartwings: delayCompensation is due when you arrive at your final destination 3 hours or more after the scheduled arrival time.
- Smartwings: cancellationCompensation is due unless you were told at least 14 days before departure, or were told later but re-routed on a flight that fell inside the timing windows set by Article 5(1)(c).
- Smartwings: denied boardingCompensation is due immediately when you are refused boarding against your will — most often because the flight was overbooked — provided you checked in on time with a confirmed reservation.
- Smartwings: missed connectionWhere all your flights were on a single booking, a delay that makes you miss a connection is measured at your final destination.
We draft. You send.
The check is free. If your Smartwings flight appears eligible, the claim letter is £15 flat — you send it to Smartwings yourself and keep the whole payout. If the airline rejects your claim on eligibility grounds, we refund the £15. Forward us their reply and we refund within five working days.
Smartwings: common questions
How much compensation can I get from Smartwings?
It depends on the distance and on which rules apply. Under EU261 it is €250, €400 or €600 per passenger; under UK261 it is £220, £350 or £520. Smartwings is registered in Czech Republic, so it counts as an EU carrier and its flights are covered in both directions.
Does Smartwings have to pay if the delay was caused by a technical problem?
Yes, in almost every case. The Court of Justice has held that technical problems — including sudden, unforeseen faults — are part of the normal running of an airline and are not extraordinary circumstances.
How long do I have to claim against Smartwings?
In Czech Republic, where Smartwings is based, the limit is 3 years, counted from the date of the flight. You can usually also claim where your flight departed or arrived, which may give you longer — for example six years in England and Wales.
Where do I send a claim to Smartwings?
Smartwings takes claims through an online form, and the postal address is Smartwings a.s., Customer Relations, K Letišti 1068/30, 161 00 Praha 6, Czech Republic. Check the address on the airline’s website before posting — claims departments move.
Can I claim for an old Smartwings flight?
Very often, yes. Most people do not realise claims last several years. Every disrupted flight is a separate claim, for every passenger on the booking.