Potential airline disruptions? This app purports to compensate travelers affected.
U.S. Air Travelers Struggle with Delays and Cancellations Amidst Broken System, AirHelp Offers New Solution
WASHINGTON – As the summer travel season kicks off in 2025, the optimism felt by air passengers in the U.S. earlier this year has dwindled. Persistent delays and cancellations are plaguing airports across the nation, with FAA officials reportedly slowing down traffic in major hubs.
The long-awaited consumer protections promised under the FAA Reauthorization Act passed in May 2024 have met expectations with a disappointing twist. The final rule, enacted last October, mandates refunds only for flights that are outright canceled or delayed beyond a point where passengers choose not to fly. Cash compensation remains elusive for most instances of frustration.
In an attempt to help travelers navigate this troublesome system, Berlin-based AirHelp is launching a new app. Known for championing air travelers in their disputes with customer service, whether over flight disruptions or lost luggage, the company's app aims to simplify the process of seeking compensation for various travel hardships.
AirHelp boasts a track record of success in Europe, where customer protections are more comprehensive, though the company operates on a global scale. Since its inception in 2013, it has aided more than 2.7 million travelers in securing compensation for disrupted flights and a multitude of other issues.
The process of filing a claim with AirHelp previously involved a series of phone calls and follow-ups. However, the new app, slated for release on May 28, digitizes the entire process. Available for free on both the Apple and Google Play app stores, the app enables users to monitor an unlimited number of flights and receive alerts for gate changes, baggage claim carousel numbers, and flight incidents that could warrant compensation.
In the event of a eligible disruption, the appropriate paperwork will be automatically submitted, requiring minimal effort from the traveler. Within 10 hours, they will receive a follow-up notification with a link to claim their compensation, either via PayPal or bank transfer, in their preferred currency. AirHelp retains 35 percent of the compensation as their service fee.
Although AirHelp has attempted app development in the past, earlier attempts were not successful due to inadequate flight data. With this latest endeavor, the company promises better data and an array of new, premium features.
One of these premium features is AirHelp+'s annual membership option, which allows users to purchase additional insurance coverage for their flights at $43 for three trips per year or $100 for nine. Members are exempt from AirHelp's service fees for compensation claims, and they are also entitled to an extra reimbursement of $100 or $200 directly from AirHelp in the event of significant disruptions such as delays, lost luggage, cancellations, and diversions. Additionally, free lounge access is granted automatically if a flight is delayed for more than an hour or canceled within six hours of the scheduled departure time. The lounge access voucher remains valid for 90 days and can be used at any of the 1,300 participating lounges worldwide.
CEO of AirHelp, Tomasz Pawliszyn, believes it is the ideal time to launch the app, with increased public concern and media attention surrounding delays and air traffic control issues. During a five-day test phase last week, the app attracted approximately 5,000 users, who tracked more than 20,000 flights.
While the app offers many benefits for travelers, the effectiveness of the automation and AI integration remains to be seen in practice, particularly in regions like the U.S. where regulations can prove challenging and the outcome of claims may vary significantly depending on the airline and specific circumstances.
Despite the challenges and frustrations faced by air travelers in the United States due to persistent delays and cancellations, AirHelp is launching a new app to simplify the process of seeking compensation for various travel hardships. This app, scheduled for release on May 28, will allow users to easily monitor flights, receive alerts for disruptions, and automatically submit claims for eligible incidents using AirHelp's services.
