Your Air Malta flight is delayed.
Do you proceed to the airport as scheduled or do you stay put at your home or hotel? Flight delays can range from a minor 30-minute wait to an extensive 23-hour holdup, potentially leaving you stuck at the airport for a full day. So, do you really need to spend all this time at the airport waiting for Croatia Airlines to resolve the issue?
The answer to this question depends on several factors.
Read on to learn more.
Your Air Malta Flight Is Delayed. Should You Wait at Home or Proceed to the Airport?
What should you do when you find out that your Air Malta flight is delayed?
Where are you at the moment? At your home/hotel?
Or have you already made it to the airport?
Scenario 1 – You Are at the Gate, Waiting for Your Flight
You are already at the gate for your flight when you receive a notification that your flight has been delayed. What is your next move?
Simply continue to wait at the gate for more information about your flight status.
Scenario 2 – You are at the Airport, But You Haven’t Yet Gone Through Airport Security
If you are at the airport and have yet to pass through security, and you learn your flight has been delayed, it is advisable to stay put. Prior to moving any further, ensure to check for any updates about your flight’s check-in time. If the check-in time has been pushed back, it would be wise to delay going through security.
Hold off until further instructions before going through security.
Have you already checked in online?
Stay put. Don’t proceed until check-in commences.
Scenario 3 – You Are at Home or Hotel
Your Air Malta flight is delayed, but you are still at home/hotel.
Establish if the check-in process has been postponed.
This can be done either by contacting Air Malta directly or inquiring at the airport information desk.
If a delay in check-in is confirmed, there’s no need to rush to the airport; you can comfortably wait at your hotel or home. However, if the check-in timings remain as previously scheduled, it would be advisable to stick to your original itinerary and proceed to the airport as planned.
If the check-in time is delayed, hold off for now.
If check-in is not delayed — proceed to the airport as per your original schedule.
How to Check Air Malta Flight Status Online?
Here are some alternatives to check your flight status online:
- The website of the airport from where your flight is taking off;
- Your airline’s website (airmalta.com in this case);
- Flight trackers such as Flightradar24.
It’s always a good practice to verify your flight’s status before heading to the airport, particularly for early morning flights. The last thing you want is to reach the airport at an early hour like 5 a.m. only to discover that your flight is delayed or canceled, causing you to wait for extended hours. It’s best to check the status soon after you wake up and once more just before you leave your home or hotel to confirm there haven’t been any last-minute changes.
Travellers typically learn about the delay:
- Through an SMS or an email from the airline, informing about the delay;
- While checking the flight status online;
- Upon arrival at the airport, or even at the gate.
What If You Are Going to Miss a Connecting Flight Due to Flight Delay?
In the event that you miss your connecting flight while travelling with Air Malta due to a delay or cancellation, there’s no need for concern. Air Malta will take care of rescheduling your flight at no additional expense to you. You don’t have to go through the hassle of arranging a new flight independently. Just reach out to the Air Malta personnel at the airport for assistance if you encounter a missed connecting flight.
In the case of a self-transfer flight, the level of protection differs from that of a connecting flight. You won’t get a free flight for free. You will need to book it yourself. Nevertheless, you may still qualify for Air Malta flight delay compensation or Air Malta flight cancellation compensation for the specific disrupted flight.
Right to Care at the Airport
Passengers who end up waiting at the airport due to a flight delay, cancellation or denied boarding are entitled to certain amenities (i.e., they have a right to care).
- During a relatively short delay of 3 hours or more that takes place during the day, Air Malta is required to provide free meals and beverages, as well as two means of communication (such as phone calls, emails or faxes), usually provided in the form of vouchers.
- In cases of an overnight delay, Air Malta is obligated to provide complimentary hotel accommodation, transport to and from the airport, and one or two meals at the airline’s expense.
If you haven’t been provided any of these services, reach out to Air Malta for assistance.
Could You Be Entitled to Air Malta Flight Delay Compensation?
Yes, you might be eligible for Air Malta flight delay compensation.
If your flight is delayed for over three hours, or it has been cancelled without prior notification of at least 14 days, you may be qualified for compensation of up to 600 euros under EU law, unless the delay or cancellation was due to exceptional circumstances.
This right is unaffected by ticket price or passenger nationality. Ensure to keep your boarding pass and other travel documents, as they may be required when claiming compensation. If the process seems daunting, there are services available that can help you claim your compensation from Air Malta. Our partners offer such services. Use the compensation claim form on our website to make a claim.
Can You Get Flight Delay Compensation in Case of an Air Malta Strike?
If your Air Malta flight is delayed or cancelled due to a strike, the situation may unfold in one of two ways – it might be a strike by Air Malta staff or by an unrelated entity.
In general, if the strike is initiated by airport employees, air traffic control, or a labour strike that does not directly involve Air Malta, you will likely not qualify for compensation as this is considered an extraordinary circumstance, and airlines are not usually held responsible.
Contrastingly, if the strike involves Air Malta’s own workforce, the airline will likely be required to compensate its passengers. It’s always advisable to verify the specific circumstances surrounding your delay or cancellation and scrutinise the information provided by the airline.
Read more: Air Malta Strike Compensation
Can You Get Flight Compensation in Case of Technical Problems with the Airplane?
Yes, if your Air Malta flight is delayed or cancelled as a result of technical issues with the aeroplane, you may be entitled to flight delay compensation. Most of the time, these issues are not considered extraordinary circumstances. However, there may be exceptions in certain instances, such as if the technical problems were caused by hidden manufacturing defects.
What is your experience with Air Malta flight delays? Have you ever experienced a flight delay with Air Malta? How did the airline resolve the situation?