Smartwings cancellation compensation
Compensation 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). You are also entitled to choose between a full refund and a replacement flight, whatever the notice.
Which Smartwings flights are covered
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.
Worked examples on Smartwings routes
| 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 |
What Smartwings is likely to say — and the answer
“You were offered an alternative flight” — only relevant if it fell inside the Article 5 windows. Check the departure and arrival times.
“We told you in advance” — the question is whether it was 14 days or more, counted from when you were actually informed.
“Operational reasons” — not a category in the Regulation.
A voucher offered instead of money — you are entitled to be paid in money.
Specific to Smartwings
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.
Time limit: Smartwings is based in Czech Republic, where claims run for 3 years from the date of the flight. How that works
Check it free, then send the letter yourself.
If your Smartwings cancellation appears eligible, the claim letter is £15 flat, with Smartwings’s likely objection answered in advance. You keep 100% of what they pay. 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 cancellation: common questions
How much can I claim from Smartwings for a cancellation?
Between €250 and €600 (or £220 and £520 under UK261) per passenger, depending on distance. The worked examples on this page show the figure for some of Smartwings’s routes.
Smartwings cancelled my flight and put me on another one. Can I still claim?
Possibly. If you were told less than 14 days before, the airline only escapes compensation if the replacement fell inside strict windows — for example, with under 7 days’ notice, departing no more than an hour early and arriving less than two hours late. Outside those windows, compensation is due, although it can be halved if you arrived within 2, 3 or 4 hours depending on distance.
What reasons does Smartwings give for refusing cancellation claims?
The most common are: You were offered an alternative flight; We told you in advance; Operational reasons; A voucher offered instead of money. Most of these do not hold up against the Regulation or the case law.
How long do I have to make a Smartwings cancellation claim?
Where Smartwings is based, the limit is 3 years. You can usually also claim in the country your flight departed from or arrived in, which may give you longer.
Other Smartwings claims
- 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.