Iberia cancelled flight compensation

Iberia cancellations: what is specific

Iberia cancellations announced less than 14 days before departure are compensable unless the replacement flight met the legal windows or Iberia proves extraordinary circumstances. On a Madrid connection, a cancelled feeder rebooked onto a later connection is assessed by the arrival at the final destination against the original schedule.

Iberia must offer a refund or re-routing — including on other carriers (it is an IAG and oneworld member) when it cannot rebook you promptly — and care while you wait. Refusals for flights departing Spain go to AESA’s binding procedure; the Spanish limitation period is 5 years.

The three questions that decide a Iberia cancellation claim

1. When did Iberia tell you? Informed 14 days or more before departure: no compensation, but a refund or re-routing and care. Less than 14 days: compensation is due unless a replacement flight met the windows below or the cause was extraordinary. Iberia must prove when and how it informed you — keep its cancellation e-mail or app notification with the timestamp.
2. What replacement did Iberia offer? Between 7 and 14 days’ notice, no compensation if the re-routing departed no more than 2 hours early and arrived less than 4 hours late; under 7 days’ notice the margins shrink to 1 hour early and 2 hours late.
3. Why was it cancelled? Weather, air-traffic-control restrictions, security and external strikes are extraordinary; Iberia’s technical problems, crew shortages, rotation planning and its own staff’s strikes are not.

Short-haul flights may be operated by Iberia Express (I2) or Air Nostrum (YW). Check the operating carrier on your boarding pass: the rules follow the airline that flew the aircraft, not the one that sold the ticket.

What you always get, whatever the reason

Compensation may depend on the cause, but three rights never do. Iberia must offer you the choice between a full refund of the unused ticket (within 7 days, in cash or bank transfer — a voucher only with your agreement) and re-routing to your final destination at the earliest opportunity or on a later date of your choice. While you wait for the re-routing Iberia must provide meals, refreshments, two calls or e-mails and, when an overnight stay becomes necessary, a hotel and transport to it. If it leaves you to arrange this yourself, keep receipts and claim the reasonable amounts.

How much Iberia owes when compensation is due

€250, €400 or €600 per passenger under EU261, set by the distance of the flight (or of the whole journey on one booking). Iberia may halve the long-haul amount to €300 when the replacement flight it offered arrived within the reduction windows (2 hours late for short flights, 3 hours for medium, 4 hours for long).

How to claim a cancellation from Iberia

1. Keep the cancellation notice, the original booking and the details of any replacement flight offered (departure and arrival times).
2. Ask Iberia in writing for the reason for the cancellation.
3. Submit the claim through Iberia’s official channel (https://www.iberia.com/gb/customer-service/), or by post to Iberia L.A.E. S.A. Operadora, Customer Relations, Calle Martínez Villergas 49, 28027 Madrid, Spain, stating the notice date, the replacement offered (or not) and the amount per passenger.
4. If Iberia refuses or stalls for 8 weeks, escalate to AESA (Spain, binding ADR), then to the courts within the limitation period of the departure country.