- Mr Plane Guy
- 6 days ago
- 5 min read
easyJet Cancelled Flight? Snow Is Causing Chaos Across Europe, Here’s What You Can (and Can’t) Claim
By Mr Plane Guy | Aviation & Flight Disruption Expert
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click and claim, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It keeps this blog flying (and funds my overpriced airport latte habit).
Europe is once again in weather meltdown mode. Heavy snow, low visibility, and high winds are triggering easyJet cancelled flights, British Airways Gatwick disruptions, and widespread flight delays across Europe today.
If your flight has been delayed, cancelled, or you’re staring at a departure board that’s going nowhere fast, here’s what you need to know, especially when it comes to compensation.
Flight Delays Today: Europe’s Winter Disruption Explained
Severe winter weather has been hitting major European hubs hard, causing:
Knock-on aircraft shortages
Crew displacement
Air traffic control flow restrictions
Runway closures and de-icing backlogs
When one airport slows down, the effects ripple across the continent. That’s why a flight can be cancelled even if the weather looks fine where you’re standing.
This is exactly why easyJet cancelled flights, BA Gatwick disruptions, and multi-hour delays are stacking up, not because airlines want to cancel, but because they physically can’t operate safely.
easyJet Cancelled Flight: Can You Claim Compensation?
This is the big question and the answer is sometimes.
Under EU Regulation 261/2004, passengers can receive up to €600 (£520) for delays or cancellations only if the airline is at fault. Compensation depends on flight distance, not ticket price.
❌ When you are NOT eligible
If your easyJet cancelled flight was caused by:
Snow
Ice
Fog
Strong winds
Low visibility
Airport or air traffic control restrictions
These are classed as extraordinary circumstances, meaning no compensation is owed, even if the disruption is massive.
Weather is outside an airline’s control and EU261 is very clear on that.
Why Are easyJet Flights Cancelled Even When the Weather Looks Fine?
“But the Weather Was Fine Where I Was!”
This is the most common passenger frustration.
Here’s the reality:
Weather at your arrival airport matters just as much
Conditions at cruising altitude can be dangerous even if it’s sunny on the ground
Aircraft types have different weather tolerances
Air traffic control may deliberately reduce flight movements
So yes, your flight can be cancelled while others still depart. It’s not unfair, it’s aviation reality.
British Airways Gatwick: Why Disruptions Hit Harder
British Airways operations from Gatwick are particularly vulnerable during disruption because:
Aircraft operate tight daily rotations
Crews are easily displaced
Knock-on delays escalate faster than at Heathrow
When snow hits Europe, British Airways Gatwick flights are often among the first to feel the pain even if the UK weather itself isn’t extreme.
Flight Delay Compensation Calculator: Check Anyway (It Costs Nothing)
Even if you suspect weather is the cause, always check.
Airlines sometimes:
Misclassify disruption reasons
Blend technical faults with weather
Delay re-routing beyond what’s reasonable
A flight delay compensation calculator (UK & EU) will instantly tell you whether your case qualifies.
Why it’s worth checking
✅ Free compensation check
✅ No upfront cost
✅ Claim flights up to 3 years old
✅ Fast & risk-free
✅ Optional instant payout
👉 Check your eligibility using a flight delay compensation calculator here(Takes under 2 minutes)
How Long Must a Flight Be Delayed to Claim?
You may qualify if:
Your flight arrived 3+ hours late
The disruption was not weather or ATC related
The flight departed from the UK/EU, or arrived on a UK/EU airline
Plane Tip: Delay time is based on arrival at the stand, not landing time. Departure delay alone does not guarantee compensation.
What Airlines Still Owe You During Weather Disruption
Even when compensation doesn’t apply, airlines must still provide care:
Meals & refreshments
Hotel accommodation (if overnight)
Transport to and from the hotel
Re-routing or refund
If they fail to do this, you can reclaim reasonable expenses later, keep receipts.
Plane Smart Survival Kit for Delayed Travellers
Being prepared is half the battle. Here’s what I always pack:
Portable charger + cables: keep devices alive, I use this Anker Power Bank on Amazon.
Reusable water bottle: refill post-security and avoid £5 airport bottles.
Snacks & activities: protein bars, downloaded Netflix shows, podcasts.
Airport lounge access: a quiet space with Wi-Fi and coffee can turn a delay into downtime.
Mr Plane Guy’s 3-Point Action Plan (Snow Edition)
1️⃣ Take Receipts
Food, hotels, taxis, screenshot everything.
2️⃣ Track the Delay
Use live trackers to record pushback and arrival times.
3️⃣ Check Your Rights
Weather might block compensation, but not always. A calculator confirms it instantly.
How to Reduce Your Risk During Winter Travel
Book early morning “first wave” flights
Avoid tight connections
Carry essentials in hand luggage
Have lounge access, delays are far easier with Wi-Fi and coffee
👉 My readers get 30% off Priority PassPerfect when weather chaos hits and the terminal fills up fast.
Final Thought: Don’t Assume, Check
Snow disruption across Europe is frustrating, exhausting, and often unavoidable. But not every “weather delay” excuse holds up under EU261.
Before you give up:
Run your flight through a flight delay compensation calculator
Let the experts argue with the airline, not you
You might be owed more than you think.
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Hello, I’m Paul a professional jet-setter and all-around plane travel pro. After 15 years working in and around planes, I became a flight delay expert at a London Airport and mastered plane travel hacks, a PLANE flight expert with BIG travel plans but small carry-on.
Now, I share PLANE travel news, tips, reviews, and deals with honesty, humour, and zero baggage! Thanks for reading easyJet Cancelled Flight? Snow Is Causing Chaos Across Europe, Here’s What You Can (and Can’t) Claim.
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