Your Austrian compensation claim is denied.
What can you do to get flight compensation from Austrian Airlines?
Compensation claim rejection can be particularly annoying when you’re dealing with the process on your own, and you’re uncertain about your entitlement to compensation. Now, you might be wondering, is it worth pursuing this further? Certainly, it is. You can consider asking for help from a flight compensation company that can proceed on your behalf. However, this isn’t your only route.
You can continue to pursue your rights on your own.
Your Austrian Compensation Claim Is Denied. Now What?
Your Austrian compensation claim is denied. Now what?
There are alternatives for obtaining compensation from Austrian.
Before you take any further steps, take some time to understand the regulations and revisit your rights.
1. Collaborating With Flight Compensation Companies
The most straightforward approach to claim compensation is to collaborate with a flight compensation company.
Your task is simply to fill out an online form, provide a copy of your boarding pass and passport, and sign the claim. The majority of the process is managed by the company. They’ll take care of all the necessary correspondence with Austrian.
Should any queries arise that only you can respond to, the compensation company will reach out to you. The primary downside is the fees. Most flight compensation companies deduct around 25-45% of the compensation.
Our partners offer these services.
When choosing this option, here is all you will have to do:
And that’s it — the rest is handled by professionals.
* Your boarding pass and passport or ID copy.
How much does it cost?
Fees typically equate to around 25 to 45 per cent of the compensation received. The remaining total is transferred to you. If no compensation is awarded, you won’t need to pay any fees. Make sure to double-check the fees before starting the compensation claim process.
Read more:
- How to Claim Austrian Compensation?
- Your Austrian Refund Is Taking Forever. What Can You Do About It?
2. Reaching Out to the NEB of the Country Your Flight Originated From
Collaborating with a flight compensation company isn’t your sole option.
Reaching out to the NEB (National Enforcement Bodies) could be your next move if your personal attempts to contact the airline have been rebuffed or ignored. This service is free. However, it’s not as convenient as working with a flight compensation company and it can be time-consuming. It often takes at least 2 months for them to process your compensation request.
The biggest disadvantage — a positive response to your claim doesn’t guarantee that you’ll receive compensation. Austrian may still reject the request.
You can access a list of the National Enforcement Bodies here.
The National Enforcement Bodies assist passengers in the event of denied boarding, flight delay or cancellation, as well as enforce the regulation Regulation (EC) 261/2004 and make sure passengers are treated according to these rules.
3. Taking the Case to Court
Your Austrian compensation claim is denied.
Next, you can take your case to court.
It is strongly recommended to secure a favourable decision from the NEB before proceeding. Possessing such a verdict can significantly bolster your case against the airline (in this scenario, Austrian Airlines).
While this path may be the most complicated, it is often highly effective. Prior to lodging your complaint in court, ensure your case stands on legal grounds. Review your rights thoroughly and construct your argument strategically. Only then can you confidently venture into legal proceedings. If you have a ruling from the NEB establishing your eligibility for compensation, include it in your court documents.
Remember, court proceedings will incur costs.

Extraordinary Circumstances
Frequently, airlines dodge explaining the actual reason for denying your claim.
They provide a vague explanation, and that’s about it.
Their go-to reason tends to be “extraordinary circumstances”.
The rationale is straightforward — compensation payouts do not contribute to a company’s profits. Hence, airlines strive to evade these payouts. They bank on the fact that most passengers lack comprehensive knowledge of their rights and exploit it to their advantage. So, stay alert when you encounter this phrase in future interactions.
According to EU regulation 261/2004, airlines are exempted from paying flight compensation if the cancellation or delay is the result of extraordinary circumstances. These encompass severe weather, strikes (unrelated to the airline), and hidden manufacturing defects. Indeed, only hidden manufacturing defects are viewed as extraordinary circumstances. Most technical issues fall under the airline’s responsibility.
Moreover, poor weather isn’t always grounds for exemption. In scenarios where weather conditions are foreseeable, like snowfall during winter (unless it’s a region where snow is rare), the airline is expected to implement appropriate measures to ensure timely flight operations.
Identify the actual reason for the delay or cancellation. It matters.

When Is It Possible to Claim Flight Compensation From Austrian?
There exist several circumstances under which you hold the right to demand flight compensation.
These conditions include flight delays, cancellations, and situations where you are denied boarding due to overbooking.
1. Flight Delays
In accordance with EU regulation 261/2004, you have a rightful claim to compensation if your flight reaches its final destination three or more hours behind schedule. This delay must be due to the airline’s fault (not something unavoidable like bad weather).
The compensation amount hinges on the duration of the delay and the distance covered by the flight. To illustrate, if your flight journey from Vienna to Munich, covering a short distance of less than 1,500km, experiences a delay of four hours, you can claim €250 as compensation.
Read more: Austrian Flight Delay Compensation
2. Flight Cancellations
Should your flight be cancelled without a minimum notification of 14 days, you have the right to claim compensation. As long as the flight cancellation is the airline’s fault.
The compensation value is subject to the distance travelled by the flight and the delay you experience in reaching your ultimate destination. For example, if your flight from Frankfurt to Tokyo, a long-distance journey further than 3,500km, is cancelled without sufficient notice and you arrive at your final destination more than four hours late with an alternative flight, you can claim €600 in compensation.
You may also opt for a full Austrian refund, instead of an alternative flight.
Read more: Austrian Flight Cancellation Compensation
3. Denied Boarding Due to Overbooking
Airlines occasionally overbook flights in anticipation of some passengers not turning up.
If you are refused boarding due to overbooking and you do not willingly give up your seat (voluntary boarding denial), you are entitled to compensation.
The amount of compensation is dependent on the flight distance. Let’s consider you are flying from Vienna to Malaga, a medium distance between 1,500km and 3,500km, and you are denied boarding due to overbooking. If you reach your final destination more than three hours late, you can claim €400 in compensation.
Read more: Austrian Denied Boarding Compensation
What is your experience with Austrian compensation claims? Do you have a first-hand experience of denied Austrian compensation claim? Did you take the case to NEB or court?