Latest news with #TomaszPawliszyn
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Flights disrupted? This app promises to get you paid
A screen displays delayed flights at Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey, US on May 9, 2025. — Reuters At the onset of 2024's busy summer travel season, air passengers in the US had reason to feel optimistic. The FAA Reauthorization Act had just passed on May 16, which meant that within a year, the government would be required to define several overdue consumer protections. Among them: compensation for long-delayed or cancelled flights. Fast forward to the start of summer 2025, and that optimism has nosedived. Delays and cancellations are occurring at what may be a record clip as FAA officials deliberately slow the flow of traffic through some of the nation's busiest hubs. And those long-promised consumer protections got watered down, as legislation often does. The final rule, enacted in October, mandates refunds for customers who end up not flying at all – either because of cancellations or because the delay is too long. Unless you're willing to count a free meal at the airport as payment, cash compensation remains almost entirely off the table. Helping travellers deal with this broken system is AirHelp Inc. The Berlin-based company, long known for its ability to successfully advocate and litigate on behalf of air travellers with customer service claims – be they flight disruptions or lost luggage – is launching a new app on May 28 to help travellers get payouts from their myriad travel pains. AirHelp's track record is strongest in Europe, where customer protections are far more comprehensive, though it operates worldwide. Since its founding in 2013, it's helped some 2.7 million travellers get compensated for denied boardings, flight cancellations, missed connections and a range of other issues. Generally, the process of filing a claim through the company has started through its website and required a series of phone calls and follow-ups. Now, with its new namesake app, which is free on both the Apple and Google Play app stores, that process will be entirely digitised and made more seamless – even in countries like the US where less-favorable regulations make it hard to deliver significant results. With the app, travellers will be able to track an unlimited number of flights, and receive alerts for gate changes and baggage claim carousel numbers. They'll also get an instant notification if their flight disruption warrants potential compensation. Travellers need not lift a finger. If the circumstances of their trip fit the criteria for a claim, the appropriate paperwork will be automatically submitted. Within 10 hours, they'll get a follow-up notification containing a link to get the ensuing payout, via PayPal or bank transfer, in the currency of their choice. AirHelp keeps 35% of the total compensation as a service fee. Payouts happen more often than you might think, says Tomasz Pawliszyn, AirHelp's chief executive officer. Any traveller with an airline ticket, for instance, can get paid back their full fare for delays of more than three to six hours on domestic and international flights, respectively, or for cancellations. And those who are flying internationally with a foreign carrier may be able to secure cash payouts for delays according to more generous European Union or UK regulations. It's not the first time that AirHelp has tried making its services available on an app. In 2017 the company released a simpler version of the product, which struggled to gain traction because it lacked adequate flight data. Then Covid-19 ground usage to a halt. Pawliszyn says now is the perfect time to try again, with increased anxiety and media frenzy around delays and air traffic control issues. "There is also a lot of worry about travelling, and people are not really as comfortable flying,' he says. That apprehension, he adds, contributed to some 5,000 customers downloading the app and using it to track some 20,000 flights during a five-day test phase last week. The new AirHelp app provides better data than its predecessor – and also a slew of new, premium features. As part of its AirHelp+ tiered annual membership option, users can buy additional insurance coverage for their flights at a rate of US$43 (RM182) for three trips a year or US$100 (RM424) for nine. Members are exempted from the company's service fees on payouts. And in addition, they are eligible for extra reimbursement of either US$100 (RM424) or US$200 (RM848) directly from AirHelp in the event of significant disruptions, which include delays beyond three hours, lost or delayed luggage, cancellations and diversions. But perhaps its most valuable perk is free lounge access, which gets granted automatically if a flight is delayed for more than 60 minutes or canceled within six hours of departure time. (If it isn't helpful in the moment, the vouchers remain valid for 90 days and can be used at any of 1,300 participating lounges worldwide.) Pawliszyn says it's a way to offer travellers something of a security net in regions where consumer protections fall short – the US included. – Bloomberg
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Flights disrupted? This app promises to get you paid
With the app, travellers will be able to track an unlimited number of flights, and receive alerts for gate changes and baggage claim carousel numbers. PHOTO: REUTERS Flights disrupted? This app promises to get you paid WASHINGTON - At the onset of 2024's busy summer travel season, air passengers in the US had reason to feel optimistic. The FAA Reauthorisation Act had just passed on May 16, which meant that within a year, the government would be required to define several overdue consumer protections. Among them: compensation for long-delayed or cancelled flights. Fast forward to the start of summer 2025, and that optimism has nosedived. Delays and cancellations are occurring at what may be a record clip as FAA officials deliberately slow the flow of traffic through some of the nation's busiest hubs. And those long-promised consumer protections got watered down, as legislation often does. The final rule, enacted in October, mandates refunds for customers who end up not flying at all–either because of cancellations or because the delay is too long. Unless you're willing to count a free meal at the airport as payment, cash compensation remains almost entirely off the table. Helping travellers deal with this broken system is AirHelp Inc. The Berlin-based company, long known for its ability to successfully advocate and litigate on behalf of air travellers with customer service claims – be they flight disruptions or lost luggage – is launching a new app on May 28 to help travellers get payouts from their myriad travel pains. AirHelp's track record is strongest in Europe, where customer protections are far more comprehensive, though it operates worldwide. Since its founding in 2013, it's helped some 2.7 million travellers get compensated for denied boardings, flight cancellations, missed connections and a range of other issues. Generally, the process of filing a claim through the company has started through its website and required a series of phone calls and follow-ups. Now, with its new namesake app, which is free on both the Apple and Google Play app stores, that process will be entirely digitised and made more seamless–even in countries like the US where less-favourable regulations make it hard to deliver significant results. With the app, travellers will be able to track an unlimited number of flights, and receive alerts for gate changes and baggage claim carousel numbers. They'll also get an instant notification if their flight disruption warrants potential compensation. Travellers need not lift a finger. If the circumstances of their trip fit the criteria for a claim, the appropriate paperwork will be automatically submitted. Within 10 hours, they'll get a follow-up notification containing a link to get the ensuing payout, via PayPal or bank transfer, in the currency of their choice. AirHelp keeps 35 per cent of the total compensation as a service fee. Payouts happen more often than you might think, says Mr Tomasz Pawliszyn, AirHelp's chief executive officer. Any traveller with an airline ticket, for instance, can get paid back their full fare for delays of more than three to six hours on domestic and international flights, respectively, or for cancellations. And those who are flying internationally with a foreign carrier may be able to secure cash payouts for delays according to more generous European Union or UK regulations. It's not the first time that AirHelp has tried making its services available on an app. In 2017 the company released a simpler version of the product, which struggled to gain traction because it lacked adequate flight data. Then Covid-19 ground usage to a halt. Mr Pawliszyn says now is the perfect time to try again, with increased anxiety and media frenzy around delays and air traffic control issues. 'There is also a lot of worry about travelling, and people are not really as comfortable flying,' he says. That apprehension, he adds, contributed to some 5,000 customers downloading the app and using it to track some 20,000 flights during a five-day test phase last week. The new AirHelp app provides better data than its predecessor–and also a slew of new, premium features. As part of its AirHelp+ tiered annual membership option, users can buy additional insurance coverage for their flights at a rate of US$43 (S$55) for three trips a year or US$100 for nine. Members are exempted from the company's service fees on payouts. And in addition, they are eligible for extra reimbursement of either US$100 or $200 directly from AirHelp in the event of significant disruptions, which include delays beyond three hours, lost or delayed luggage, cancellations and diversions. But perhaps its most valuable perk is free lounge access, which gets granted automatically if a flight is delayed for more than 60 minutes or cancelled within six hours of departure time. (If it isn't helpful in the moment, the vouchers remain valid for 90 days and can be used at any of 1,300 participating lounges worldwide.) Mr Pawliszyn says it's a way to offer travellers something of a security net in regions where consumer protections fall short–the US included. BLOOMBERG Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Cision Canada
3 days ago
- Business
- Cision Canada
AirHelp Launches First Unlimited, Free Flight-Tracking App for Passengers
Offers real-time flight tracking, disruption alerts, and built-in options for extra protection Passengers are automatically notified when they are eligible for compensation Travelers can easily protect and insure their future trips Turns complex air passenger rights into clear, actionable steps WASHINGTON, May 28, 2025 /CNW/ -- AirHelp, the leading travel tech company supporting passengers with flight disruptions, today announces the launch of its new AirHelp Flight and Claim Tracker. As the first unlimited, free flight-tracking app on the market, the platform serves as an essential travel companion for passengers navigating an increasingly disrupted travel landscape this summer and beyond. Unlimited Flight Tracking & Real-Time Compensation Alerts Flight disruptions are on the rise, as more than 236 million passengers across the U.S. were affected by delays and cancelations in 2024. AirHelp's new app is designed to put passengers back in control, transforming their travel experience from one of uncertainty to confidence. With unlimited real-time flight tracking, instant compensation alerts, and built-in options for extra protection and insurance, the app keeps passengers informed, protected, and a step ahead of disruptions. Navigating air passenger rights can be overwhelming, and most passengers are unaware of when they are eligible for compensation or how to claim it. AirHelp's app changes that, turning any smartphone into a personal passenger rights assistant. It alerts users the moment they qualify for compensation and guides them through the process. With a free eligibility check for flights from the past three years, the app ensures passengers can easily claim what they are rightfully owed. Features for Effortless Travel The AirHelp Flight and Claim Tracker is packed with several smart features to make travel easier and more connected for passengers. It includes live updates on gate changes, flight delays or cancellations and baggage belt numbers. The app syncs seamlessly with calendars and Gmail to import both past and upcoming flights, making it easier to stay organized. Travelers can enjoy added peace of mind with extra protection, comfort, and dedicated assistance throughout their journey. Passengers can simply add AirHelp+ protection via the app to cover flight delays, cancellations, or baggage issues, ensuring they are not only supported during disruptions but are compensated quickly without hassle. AirHelp+ administers these insurance payouts within hours, which is on top of the compensation passengers can also claim for. Speaking on the new app, Tomasz Pawliszyn, CEO at AirHelp said: "Flight disruptions are an increasing concern for passengers, especially as we approach the summer season. Our mission has always been to advocate for passengers, and with this new app, we are taking that commitment to the next level. Passengers now have access to an all-in-one tool that keeps them informed in real-time, helps them navigate flight disruptions or lost luggage, and ensures they can easily claim for compensation they are rightfully owed. As the industry continues to face uncertainty, our app is available to support passengers and streamline their travel experience." Find out more about the AirHelp Flight and Claim Tracker and download it here. Petition to save passenger rights The EU is trying to cut passenger rights so drastically that 85% of delay claims would no longer qualify for compensation. It will mean longer delays, less compensation, and ZERO accountability. Read more and sign the petition. About AirHelp AirHelp is a travel tech company tackling flight disruptions. Since 2013, it has won compensation for over 2.7 million passengers with a flight delay or cancellation. 10 million passengers have protected their flights with AirHelp+ Protection, and countless millions more benefit from the expert information freely available on AirHelp has also just released its new app, which offers real-time flight tracking, disruption alerts, and options for extra protection, download it here! AirHelp is dedicated to investing in a greener future - it has pledged to plant 1 tree for every 100 flight disruptions and so far, it has planted 108,324 trees. As air passenger rights advocates, AirHelp cares about people, and caring about people also means caring about the planet. #1 source for flight compensation worldwide With innovative artificial intelligence and a dedicated team of over 400 AirHelpers, AirHelp makes it easy for any traveler in the EU, UK and beyond to receive up to €600 for flight delays and cancellations. For more information about AirHelp, visit: For further information, please contact: Tomasz Pawliszyn CEO AirHelp Inc. [email protected] SOURCE AirHelp
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Longer flight delays without compensation? EU plan divides
The EU is considering allowing airlines to incur longer flight delays without having to compensate passengers in a move that has consumer groups up in arms and is dividing member states. Representatives for the bloc's 27 countries discussed the idea, which proponents say will result in fewer flight cancellations, on Wednesday in Brussels. Carriers currently must pay air travellers in Europe up to 600 euros ($682) for delays of more than three hours, or if a flight is cancelled less than 14 days before departure. Supporters see the rules dating back to 2004 as an example of the European Union's prowess in defending consumer rights. But airlines say they face a hefty bill, which "perversely" often leads them to cancel flights rather than run them with a long delay -- due to knock-on effect on flight schedules. "Extending the so-called delay thresholds will give airlines more time to move planes and crews across Europe to save flight schedules," said Airlines for Europe (A4E), an industry group. Poland, which currently holds the EU's rotating presidency, has picked up plans for reform that have languished since a 2013 commission proposal failed to bear fruit. Warsaw initially introduced upping the maximum non-sanctioned delay to five hours, according to several people familiar with the discussion. But some member states, including Germany, oppose the idea. Even a compromise backed by 15 states to increase the threshold to four hours for flights of up to 3,500 kilometres and six hours for longer ones failed to find enough support to pass Wednesday, several European diplomats told AFP. "Long flight delays are a real nuisance. They ruin the start of well-deserved holidays. They disrupt important plans. They cost valuable lifetime," said Stefanie Hubig, Germany's consumer rights minister. Berlin could not agree to any changes "unilaterally aligned" with airlines' interests "just before the holiday season", she added. It is pushing to keep the three-hour threshold but lower compensation to a flat rate of 300 euros, according to diplomatic sources. - More flights less money - The original plan to allow a five-hour delay could have saved almost 50 percent of flights that are currently cancelled, according to A4E, which represents Air France-KLM, Lufthansa and other companies accounting for more than 80 percent of European air traffic. It would also have stripped about 75 percent of passengers of the right to compensation, said Europe's BEUC umbrella consumer rights group. "This is an unacceptable step back from the current level of protection," it said in a joint statement with consumer associations. Delays and cancellations could cost airlines up to 8.1 billion euros this year, according to the European Commission. Yet, agencies that help passengers get money in exchange for a fee note that of the millions of passengers eligible for compensation, only a fraction each year file a claim. "For European customers this is a disastrous change," Tomasz Pawliszyn, the head of one such firm, Airhelp, told AFP of the planned reform. Since the three-hours threshold has been adopted in other jurisdictions, such as Canada, Turkey and Britain, the changes would generate "confusion" and potentially lead to some European carriers being allowed longer delays than their non-European rivals on some of the same routes, he added. - 'Blackmail' - The proposed changes are part of a broader package of reforms. This includes some clearly passenger-friendly moves, such as barring airlines from charging for hand-luggage of a standard size and weight. It has nevertheless enraged some European lawmakers, for the Polish presidency of the European Council is seeking to push it through with a rarely-used expedited procedure that limits parliament's say. "The first word that comes to my mind about the council's behaviour is blackmail," Andrey Novakov, a lawmaker with the centre-right EPP and the parliament's rapporteur on the issue told AFP. Member states' representatives are to discuss the issue again next week ahead of a meeting of transport ministers on June 5. ub-jhm/ec/yad
France 24
3 days ago
- Business
- France 24
Longer flight delays without compensation? EU plan divides
Representatives for the bloc's 27 countries discussed the idea, which proponents say will result in fewer flight cancellations, on Wednesday in Brussels. Carriers currently must pay air travellers in Europe up to 600 euros ($682) for delays of more than three hours, or if a flight is cancelled less than 14 days before departure. Supporters see the rules dating back to 2004 as an example of the European Union's prowess in defending consumer rights. But airlines say they face a hefty bill, which "perversely" often leads them to cancel flights rather than run them with a long delay -- due to knock-on effect on flight schedules. "Extending the so-called delay thresholds will give airlines more time to move planes and crews across Europe to save flight schedules," said Airlines for Europe (A4E), an industry group. Poland, which currently holds the EU's rotating presidency, has picked up plans for reform that have languished since a 2013 commission proposal failed to bear fruit. Warsaw initially introduced upping the maximum non-sanctioned delay to five hours, according to several people familiar with the discussion. But some member states, including Germany, oppose the idea. Even a compromise backed by 15 states to increase the threshold to four hours for flights of up to 3,500 kilometres and six hours for longer ones failed to find enough support to pass Wednesday, several European diplomats told AFP. "Long flight delays are a real nuisance. They ruin the start of well-deserved holidays. They disrupt important plans. They cost valuable lifetime," said Stefanie Hubig, Germany's consumer rights minister. Berlin could not agree to any changes "unilaterally aligned" with airlines' interests "just before the holiday season", she added. It is pushing to keep the three-hour threshold but lower compensation to a flat rate of 300 euros, according to diplomatic sources. More flights less money The original plan to allow a five-hour delay could have saved almost 50 percent of flights that are currently cancelled, according to A4E, which represents Air France-KLM, Lufthansa and other companies accounting for more than 80 percent of European air traffic. It would also have stripped about 75 percent of passengers of the right to compensation, said Europe's BEUC umbrella consumer rights group. "This is an unacceptable step back from the current level of protection," it said in a joint statement with consumer associations. Delays and cancellations could cost airlines up to 8.1 billion euros this year, according to the European Commission. Yet, agencies that help passengers get money in exchange for a fee note that of the millions of passengers eligible for compensation, only a fraction each year file a claim. "For European customers this is a disastrous change," Tomasz Pawliszyn, the head of one such firm, Airhelp, told AFP of the planned reform. Since the three-hours threshold has been adopted in other jurisdictions, such as Canada, Turkey and Britain, the changes would generate "confusion" and potentially lead to some European carriers being allowed longer delays than their non-European rivals on some of the same routes, he added. 'Blackmail' The proposed changes are part of a broader package of reforms. This includes some clearly passenger-friendly moves, such as barring airlines from charging for hand-luggage of a standard size and weight. It has nevertheless enraged some European lawmakers, for the Polish presidency of the European Council is seeking to push it through with a rarely-used expedited procedure that limits parliament's say. "The first word that comes to my mind about the council's behaviour is blackmail," Andrey Novakov, a lawmaker with the centre-right EPP and the parliament's rapporteur on the issue told AFP.
