Did you know? Flight delay of 5 hours means free accommodation

Did you know? Flight delay of 5 hours means free accommodation

I do not remember the last time my flight was delayed for two hours or more. What about you? What was the total duration for the flight delay? Did you know that flight delay of 5 hours meant that the airline has to provide accommodation and also the travel to and fro hotel to the airport? Yes, I have just read about it too. I always think the airline just have to provide meal and drink if the flight is delayed. I remember receiving a burger and soft drink when my flight was delayed for over 2 hours in the Philippines many months back.

Article in nst.com.my. Airlines operating in the country have been told that they must provide meals, telephone calls and internet access for flight delays of two hours or more.

Aviation regulator Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) said if the delays are at least five hours, they must provide accommodation and transportation to and from the hotel as well.

Mavcom spokesperson said, “Malaysia Airlines, along with all other airlines operating in Malaysia must strictly adhere to these responsibilities to ensure minimal disruption to consumers. However, for flight disruptions that occur outside of Malaysia, airlines must comply with the laws and regulations of the countries in which they operate.”

Checks by Business Times on Mavcom’s website on the OTP performance for international flights between May and July 2024 out of Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1 (T1) and Terminal 2 (T2) revealed that AirAsia X Bhd was the most punctual, followed by AirAsia Bhd, Malaysia Airlines Bhd and Batik Air Sdn Bhd. Do read the article in full here: Article in nst.com.my

The free accommodation is for airlines operating in Malaysia

For flights in airports outside Malaysia, the compensation would be dependent on their Mavcom equivalent. However, if you ask me, I would prefer to fly back versus staying in some hotel and having to travel to the airport to fly the next day. Perhaps it’s better for airlines to compensate by arranging for a flight via other airlines instead. I think it’s more expensive but it’s better for the affected passenger. Else, a delay of one day may have a ripple effect to the customers’ other flight plans.

My worst experience was when my flight was delayed from 8pm all the way to 2am. This happened in Changi International Airport. The airline informed all passengers that the reason was a bomb threat. So, the police was sent to check the whole plane before passengers were allowed to board. Of course, I have mixed feelings but it’s already 2am and I think the airline did not want to provide accommodation to all passengers… That was over 20 years ago. What’s your worst experience?

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