All about compensation for delayed flights with Volotea

Whether you’re heading off for a weekend getaway or an important business meeting, a flight delay can quickly turn your trip into an obstacle course. Between endless airport waits, missed connections, unexpected expenses, and mounting stress, the consequences are rarely minor.

Volotea, a well-known low-cost airline operating flights between European cities, may experience delays due to technical, operational, or weather-related reasons. However, many air passengers are unaware that they may be entitled to compensation when the delay exceeds certain limits and is attributable to the airline.

• What are your rights if your Volotea flight is delayed?
• How can you file a quick and effective claim?
• What are the conditions to receive compensation of up to €600?

This guide explains step by step how to claim compensation for a flight issue, with simple advice and practical solutions to assert your rights stress-free.

Your rights in the event of a delayed Volotea flight

If you’ve experienced a flight delay, you’re not without recourse. As a passenger within the European Union, you are protected by clear legislation: the European Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004, a key document outlining passenger rights in the event of flight disruption.

A European regulation that protects you

This regulation, which came into force in 2004, imposes certain obligations on airlines like Volotea toward their passengers when flights are delayed, cancelled, or overbooked. It includes the right to financial compensation if your flight arrives more than three hours late, provided the delay is the airline’s fault (technical failure, operational issues, Volotea staff strike, etc.).

But that’s not all. The regulation also provides assistance measures based on the length of the delay and the flight distance: refreshments, meals, phone calls, and even accommodation and transport to a hotel if necessary. These services must be provided by Volotea without you having to request them.

Compensation of up to €600

Depending on the distance of your Volotea flight, you may be entitled to flat-rate compensation:

This amount does not depend on the price of your ticket or the exact departure delay: only the time of arrival at the final destination matters, with a delay of at least three hours compared to the originally scheduled time.

Mandatory assistance in case of a Volotea delay

Volotea is also required to ensure your comfort during the wait. In the event of a prolonged delay, they must provide at minimum refreshments, a meal, two communications (calls or emails), and, if necessary, an overnight stay in a hotel with round-trip transportation. These services must be provided even if you are not entitled to financial compensation, for instance in the case of extraordinary circumstances such as a storm or air traffic control strike.

To assert your rights, remember to keep all documents related to your Volotea flight: boarding pass, booking confirmation, receipts for unexpected expenses. And if you don’t want to handle the process alone, note that there are specialized services (like Indemniflight) that can take care of everything for you. The European regulation thus protects air passengers, including those flying with a low-cost airline like Volotea.

In case of a significant flight delay, you are entitled to claim fair compensation and receive appropriate assistance, regardless of your ticket or destination.

In which cases can you be compensated or not for a delayed Volotea flight?

Even if you experienced a delayed flight with Volotea, there are specific situations in which you may be entitled to compensation… and others where you may not. To avoid unpleasant surprises, it’s essential to understand under what circumstances the airline is liable—and therefore required to compensate you—and when it is not.

Cases where Volotea is not liable: extraordinary circumstances

The European Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004 provides for an important exception: if your flight delay is due to what is known as an extraordinary circumstance, Volotea is not obligated to pay compensation. This includes, for example:

• A strike by air traffic controllers (not involving Volotea staff)
• Severe weather conditions making the flight unsafe
• A medical emergency or security threat on board or at the airport
• A bird strike or collision with foreign objects
• Unexpected airspace restrictions

In all these cases, the airline may refuse compensation if it proves that the delay could not have been avoided despite all reasonable measures taken. However, even in these circumstances, you still retain your rights to assistance (snacks, accommodation, transportation…).

Volotea Flight Delayed by More Than 5 Hours: What Are Your Options?

If your Volotea flight is delayed by more than 5 hours, you can request to cancel your trip and receive a full refund for your airline ticket. The airline must also return you to your point of origin if you are in transit. However, be aware that by choosing to abandon your journey, you waive the fixed compensation provided for delays over three hours. This is a decision to be made with full knowledge of the implications.

Flight Postponed to the Next Day: Volotea Must Provide Accommodation

If the airline reschedules your flight for the following day, it is obligated to provide you with accommodation at its expense for the night. This is part of its responsibilities as a carrier: the transport contract applies from point A to point B, regardless of disruptions. The airline must also arrange your transfer between the airport and the accommodation (hotel, shuttle, taxi, etc.).

This applies whether you’re in France, Spain, or elsewhere in Europe, as long as you are flying with Volotea. Even if some exceptional situations prevent financial compensation, Volotea must always provide care in the event of a delayed flight. And if you are unsure about your rights, it’s best to seek assistance to avoid any oversight.

How to File a Claim Directly with Volotea?

If your flight experienced a significant delay, you may choose to file a claim directly with Volotea. However, it’s important to understand the procedure and be prepared for a potentially lengthy and complex process. Here’s how to proceed.

Contacting Volotea’s Customer Service

The first step is to contact Volotea’s customer service, via their online form or by registered mail. In your message, you should clearly explain the circumstances of the delayed flight (flight number, date, departure and arrival airports) and specify that you are requesting compensation under Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004.

For your claim to Volotea to be taken seriously, don’t forget to attach all necessary supporting documents:

• your boarding pass or e-ticket,
• a copy of your ID,
• your initial booking confirmation,
• a delay certificate (to request from Volotea or the airport),
• any receipts for expenses incurred due to the delay (meals, taxi, hotel, etc.).

A Slow and Uncertain Process

Even with a complete file, processing times can be very long (several weeks or even months). Additionally, airlines like Volotea often refuse to compensate passengers by citing extraordinary circumstances—sometimes abusively or without transparency. It’s not uncommon for travelers to find themselves at a dead end, forced to give up their claim due to a lack of clear response or favorable outcome.

Trying to assert your rights without legal support can quickly become discouraging, especially since potential appeals may require contacting organizations like the DGAC (French Civil Aviation Authority) or even initiating legal proceedings. To avoid these hassles and improve your chances of success, we strongly recommend turning to professionals like Indemniflight.

Indemniflight Can Help You Get Compensation for a Delayed Volotea Flight

Even when European law clearly supports you, asserting your rights against an airline like Volotea can be tedious. Long procedures, vague response times, required documentation… it’s easy to feel discouraged.

That’s why Indemniflight offers to handle the entire process on your behalf, to increase your chances of receiving compensation for an issue with a Volotea flight.

Air Passenger Rights Specialists at Your Service

At Indemniflight, our experts are well-versed in Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004. We analyze your situation in detail—whether your flight was delayed for more than three hours, canceled, or overbooked—to determine whether you’re eligible for compensation. If Volotea refuses to compensate you, we continue the process and take legal action if necessary to defend your claim.

Every case is unique, so we guide you step by step by clearly explaining the procedures to follow—even though we take care of everything for you.

Maximize Your Chances of Receiving Compensation for a Delayed Volotea Flight

To put all the odds in your favor, certain steps are essential as soon as the flight delay is confirmed:

• Carefully keep all documents related to your booking: boarding pass, confirmation email, payment receipts, additional expenses (meals, hotel, taxi).
• Request a delay certificate from Volotea. This official document is a key element for your compensation claim.
• Note the actual departure and arrival times of your flight. Delay duration is calculated upon arrival, a crucial detail for determining eligibility.
• Keep track of any assistance provided (or not) by the airline: refreshments, accommodation, transportation.

If you decide not to board, you forfeit not only your right to compensation but also to the assistance provided by Volotea. That’s why it’s important not to give up your flight, unless the delay exceeds 5 hours and you prefer to request a full refund (in which case compensation no longer applies).

Thanks to Indemniflight, you don’t need to be a legal expert to get what you’re owed. We simplify the process, defend your claim, and only take a commission if your compensation is granted.

About Volotea

Volotea is a low-cost Spanish airline that has seen rapid growth across Europe. Since beginning operations in 2012, it has specialized in direct connections between regional capitals and medium-sized cities often overlooked by major carriers.

Volotea currently serves over 100 airports across Europe and offers up to 400 routes, more than half of which are exclusive. The airline has established bases in 19 European cities, including Nantes, Bordeaux, Marseille, Toulouse, Strasbourg, Lille, Lyon, Brest, Athens, Venice, and Verona.

Its fleet consists of 45 Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft configured in economy class, offering direct flights at competitive prices. Volotea has carried over 50 million passengers since its creation, a testament to its popularity among European travelers.

Committed to sustainable development, the airline has launched more than 50 initiatives to reduce fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions, achieving over a 46% reduction per passenger-kilometer. It has also begun introducing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) into its flights. Volotea was recognized by Skytrax as the “Best Low-Cost Airline in Europe” at the World Airline Awards in 2023 and 2024.

You now know the essentials for obtaining compensation in case of a delayed Volotea flight. From European legislation protecting air passengers to the claims process, eligibility conditions, and compensation amounts, you have everything you need to assert your rights.

Understanding your rights empowers you to no longer passively suffer the inconvenience of a delayed flight. Whether it’s a domestic or international flight, Volotea is subject to the same obligations as other European airlines. As a passenger, you are fully entitled to request compensation if the necessary conditions are met.

If you have any doubts, find the process too complex, or your claim has gone unanswered, don’t hesitate to turn to Indemniflight. Our team of experts will support you every step of the way to maximize your chances of receiving the compensation you deserve—without wasting time or unnecessary stress.