Was your SAS flight cancelled last minute?
Flight cancellations can be very frustrating, as they can disrupt your travel plans, especially if you have multiple bookings. However, the good news is that SAS flight cancellation policy, and flight cancellations in the EU/UK, are governed by the law that protects passengers. This has been the case for over a decade. Therefore, if your flight is cancelled by SAS, it is their responsibility to take care of you as a passenger — it is their responsibility to find a solution.
1. SAS Flight Cancellation: Last-Minute Flight Cancellation
If SAS cancels your flight, they are obligated to take care of you.
- If that results in a long wait at the airport, you have the right to care from SAS. Sometimes you will get a coupon for free meal, other times — free hotel accommodation and transfer.
- If you decide not to take the new (replacement) flight, you are entitled to a full refund from SAS. This refund may be issued as a direct bank transfer or a refundable SAS voucher.
- As long as it’s a last-minute flight cancellation, it has happened up to 2 weeks before the original departure date, and the cancellation is due to fault of SAS, you can claim flight cancellation compensation from SAS.
Are you going to miss a connecting flight due to cancellation?
See our guide to SAS missed connection compensation. In short – the rules are the same as with flight delays, you have to look at how much later, when compared to original arrival time, you have reached the destination (in this case, SAS gives you a new flight for free).
This applies to all SAS flights to and from Europe.
By Europe and EU here on this page (and on this website in general) we mean all EU Member States, the United Kingdom (UK), Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion, Mayotte, Saint Martin (French Antilles), the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.
2. What to Do if Your Flight Is Cancelled Last-Minute?
The course of action to take will vary depending on your location.
Have you departed for the airport, or are you still at home?
2.1 If You Are Still at Home or Hotel
If you are still at home, it is advisable to remain there for the time being.
Contact SAS’s customer service to determine your next steps. As previously stated, SAS will provide assistance. Your task is to ascertain the updated plan, such as whether you will be flying today or not, as well as the available options. In the event of a cancellation due to extraordinary circumstances, you are entitled to care, a free alternative flight to your destination, or a refund (if preferred).
2.2 If You Are Already at the Airport
If you are already at the airport, do not proceed through airport security.
If your flight has been cancelled, a new flight will be scheduled. This means that you will need to obtain a new boarding pass, complete the check-in process again, and if you have luggage, check it in once more and pass through passport control. If you have already cleared security, attempt to return to the landside (public access) area of the airport.
Try to make contact with SAS representatives to learn what steps to take next.
3. SAS Flight Cancellation Compensation
The UK/EU has specific rules regarding flight compensation.
If your flight is cancelled less than 2 weeks before the scheduled departure, it will be considered a last-minute cancellation. And often you will have a right to compensation.
Your flight is cancelled 7 – 14 days before the scheduled time of departure:
- You choose a new flight offered by SAS, which departs not more than 2 hours before the original departure time and you reach your destination less than 4 hours after the original arrival time. In this situation you are not entitled to compensation.
- In other situations you are entitled to compensation.
Your flight is cancelled less than 7 days before the scheduled time of departure:
- You choose a new flight offered by SAS, which departs not more than 1 hour before the original departure time and you reach your destination less than 2 hours after the original arrival time. In this situation you are not entitled to compensation.
- In other situations you are entitled to compensation.
Conditions for claiming compensation:
- Flight cancellation due to the fault of SAS;
- Flight departs in or arrives to Europe;
- Last-minute flight cancellation (less than 2 weeks).
Read more: SAS Flight Cancellation Compensation
4. SAS Flight Cancellation Refund
In the event of a SAS flight being cancelled, passengers have the option to either reschedule the flight to their intended destination or claim a full refund. The chosen option will depend on individual circumstances and upcoming travel plans.
According to the law, SAS have to process the refund within 7 days.
It’s crucial to differentiate between the right to compensation and the right to a refund, as these are two separate entitlements under UK/EU flight compensation regulations. Therefore, even if you opt for a refund, you may still be eligible for flight cancellation compensation depending on the specifics of the flight cancellation.
Read more: Your SAS Refund Is Taking Forever. What Can You Do About It?
4.1 What Happens If You Cancel a Flight?
If you, as the passenger, decide to cancel your flight, the refund conditions differ. Generally, the refund policy of SAS is determined by the type of ticket you have purchased.
Fully-flexible tickets are typically refundable, whereas low-cost, non-flexible tickets may not be. It’s always important to examine the specific conditions attached to your ticket or contact SAS’s customer service for further clarification. If your travel insurance includes cancellation coverage, you may be able to claim a refund through your insurance provider.
5. How to Claim SAS Flight Compensation / SAS Refund?
To get SAS refund for a cancelled flight, go to My bookings.
For more information, visit the website of SAS.
What about flight cancellation compensation? The key factor in obtaining compensation from SAS is to file a claim. If you fail to do so, you will not receive any compensation. One of the ways is to reach out to SAS customer service and submit your claim. Keep in mind that you are not obligated to accept travel vouchers because you are entitled to compensation. According to EC Regulation 261, compensation for flight disruptions in the EU must be deposited directly into your bank account. Compensation amounts are predetermined, ranging from 250 to 600 euros.
You can also take the easiest path — legal representation.
When you choose this option, everything is handled by a flight compensation company. They file a compensation claim and complete the process on your behalf.
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.
Read more:
- Your SAS Compensation Claim Is Rejected. What’s Next?
- Your SAS Refund Is Taking Forever. What Can You Do About It?
- How to Claim SAS Compensation?
Have you ever missed a connection? Was it a connecting flight with SAS? Share your experience. Do you have any questions about SAS missed connection compensation policies? Ask in the comments.