How to claim a refund and compensation from Ethiopian Airlines
Traveling can be exciting, but unfortunately, some inconveniences can occur such as cancelled flights, overbooked flights, delayed flights o lost luggage. The good news is that in many situations, the passenger has the right to request a refund and/or compensation.
In the specific case of Ethiopian Airlines flights, there are specific conditions and particular documents that must be submitted, and we at Rimborso Al Volo are here to help you better understand the matter and assert your rights, guiding you through all the procedures.
The history of Ethiopian Airlines
Founded in 1945, Ethiopian Airlines is Ethiopia’s national carrier and Africa’s largest airline. With over 75 years of history, it has become a global hub connecting Africa to more than 125 international destinations.
A member of Star Alliance, it is renowned for its modern fleet (including the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787) and for maintaining safety and punctuality standards that place it at the forefront of the African and international markets.
Ethiopian Airlines Refunds and Compensation: Differences and Case Studies
Please be careful not to confuse the two, as there is a difference. A refund refers to the full or partial return of the amount paid (the cost of the ticket and any additional expenses incurred) and is generally granted because it was not possible to take the flight. Compensation, on the other hand, is a sum of money – the amount of which varies and is independent of the ticket price and whether the flight actually took place – to which the passenger is entitled to make up for the inconvenience suffered as a result of the airline’s inefficiency… but don’t worry, as we’ll look at both scenarios in detail.
Ethiopian Airlines Refunds: What are they and when are you entitled to one?
Under Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 (for flights departing from the EU), passengers are entitled to claim a refund, i.e. the return of the money paid for the ticket or for any additional costs incurred, in the event of:
- Exceptional circumstances for which Ethiopian cannot be held responsible for any inconvenience or cancellation of flights, such as adverse weather conditions, strikes, health alerts, or terrorist or security attacks
Ethiopian also includes the following cases:
- Flight delayed by more than 5 hours
- Inability to travel due to serious illness or death, subject to provision of medical documentation
Ethiopian will allow passengers to choose whether to request a refund for their ticket or to be rebooked onto a similar flight.
In the latter case, the passenger will also be entitled to reimbursement of all extra expenses, such as additional hotel nights, meals, trips to another airport not originally planned, etc.
Ethiopian Airlines compensation: What is it and when are you entitled to it?
Compensation (or indemnity or monetary compensation) has nothing to do with the refund of the ticket but is a sum of money that is due to the passenger for inconveniences suffered as a result of:
- Flight canceled
- Delayed flight
- Overbooked flight
- Inconveniences related to baggage delivery such as lost luggage o delayed baggage delivery
Compensation is therefore an indemnity payable to the passenger for the airline’s inefficiency and is completely independent of the cost of the ticket.
The passenger does NOT have the right to claim any compensation when:
- was notified of the flight cancellation at least 14 days in advance
- he is denied boarding for health or safety reasons or in the event of invalid travel documents;
- unforeseen circumstances arise that are beyond the airline’s control, such as adverse weather conditions, security risks, political instability and other exceptional circumstances
If a passenger is not entitled to compensation from Ethiopian Airlines due to exceptional circumstances, are they entitled to a refund?
Of course you do; if your flight has been cancelled due to a strike, adverse weather conditions or, more generally, proven exceptional circumstances, you are still entitled to a refund of your ticket or re-routing if the flight does not take place.
How much is the compensation from Ethiopian Airlines?
The airline is subject to Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 (for flights from EU airports) and the Montreal Convention, and is therefore obliged to provide compensation in the following circumstances:
- Flight canceled
- Denied boarding due to overbooking
- Flight delayed by at least 3 hours
- €250.00 for all journeys of 1,500 km or less
- €400.00 for journeys between 1,500 km and 3,500 km
- €600.00 for journeys over 3,500 km
The compensation applies to all the cases mentioned above but is paid out based on the distance of the journey.
- Luggage (Damaged/Delayed/Lost): Up to approximately €1,600 (1,288 Special Drawing Rights) as the maximum limit of liability for proven damage.
How do I claim a refund and/or compensation from Ethiopian Airlines?
You can claim a refund from Ethiopian Airlines for a cancelled flight, an overbooked flight or a delayed flight or in exceptional circumstances via the ‘Help and Contact’ section on the official website by completing the complaint form. The procedure involves verifying the booking details and identity documents.
However, it often happens that passengers only proceed with the request for reimbursement, mainly because they are unaware of the conditions in which the compensation is applicable or because they are told that the causes of the cancellation or delay were force majeure. Furthermore, claiming compensation from Ethiopian can lead to difficulties and rather long waiting times without being certain of obtaining compensation. For these reasons it is always recommended to rely on a team of professionals such as that of Rimborso al Volo who will handle all the paperwork for the passenger and verify everything the airline says about any exceptional circumstances to find out if they are actually entitled to compensation as well.
How can I claim a refund and/or compensation from Ethiopian Airlines with the help of Rimborso Al Volo?
We offer a service to help you claim financial compensation from Ethiopian Airlines depending on the disruption caused by your flight.
By entrusting your claim for a refund and compensation from Ethiopian Airlines to the team at Rimborso al Volo, the process will certainly be quicker than if you were to handle it yourself. Should legal action be required, the team will enlist the help of legal experts to ensure your rights are fully upheld!
Fill in the form and claim your Ethiopian Airlines refund.
FAQ: Ethiopian Airlines Flight Disruptions
Se il volo parte da Addis Abeba ho diritto al risarcimento UE?
- Flight from the EU (e.g. Rome → Addis Ababa): You are entitled to protection and can claim up to €600 in compensation in the event of a delay or cancellation.
- Flight from outside the EU (e.g. Addis Ababa → Rome):You are not entitled to European compensation. In this case, international conventions (the Montreal Convention) or local Ethiopian laws apply, which usually provide for assistance but not automatic financial compensation.
Ethiopian Airlines flight delay: what am I entitled to?
- Right to assistance: After a wait of two hours or more (depending on the route), the airline must provide you with free meals, drinks, two phone calls or emails and, if necessary, overnight accommodation in a hotel, including transport to and from the hotel.
- Financial compensation: If you arrive at your final destination more than 3 hours late and the delay is the airline’s fault (e.g. technical fault or operational issues), you are entitled to compensation calculated on the basis of the distance travelled:
- 250€ for journeys up to 1,500 km.
- 400€ for journeys between 1,500 and 3,500 km.
- €600 for journeys over 3,500 km
Does Ethiopian Airlines offer vouchers?
- Non-refundable flights: If you purchased a non-refundable ticket and decide to cancel your trip, the company usually does not return the money in cash, but can issue a travel credit (voucher) that can be used for future bookings, net of any cancellation fees.
- Cancellations by the company: In the event of a flight cancelled by Ethiopian, you always have the right to choose between a full monetary refund and a voucher. Companies often encourage the choice of voucher by offering a slightly higher value (for example, 10% more than the ticket price), but the choice remains yours.
- Validity and Expiration: Ethiopian Airlines vouchers generally have limited validity (usually 12 months from the date of issue). It is important to check the expiration date, as credit is lost beyond that time.
Ethiopian Airlines overbooked flight: what am I entitled to?
- Choice of refund or reprocessing: You can choose between a 7-day ticket refund or an alternative flight to your destination as soon as possible.
- Immediate Compensation: You are entitled to immediate compensation (up to 600€) unless you voluntarily gave up your seat in exchange for agreed benefits.
- Assistance: The company must provide you with food, water and hotel if the new flight is the next day.
Lost luggage with Ethiopian Airlines: what am I entitled to?
- PIR (Property Irregularity Report): You must immediately go to the Lost & Found office at the airport before leaving the customs area and complete the PIR form. Without this document you will not be able to complain.
- Compensation: You are entitled to compensation for the value of your luggage and the goods contained therein, up to a maximum of SDR 1,000 (about €1164).
- Reimbursement of expenses.: Reimbursement for basic necessities purchased as replacements.
- Compensation: Compensation for delayed baggage delivery, with the value increasing according to the number of days of delayed delivery, up to a maximum of SDR 1,000.
Problems on the Flight? Get compensation up to 600€
Get compensation in the event of a delay, cancellation or overbooking occurred within the last 2 years.
