From Iceland — After WOW: What Passengers Should Know

After WOW: What Passengers Should Know

Published March 28, 2019

Andie Sophia Fontaine
Photo by
Art Bicnick

You had a flight booked with WOW Air, but they have ceased all operations. What to do next? Here are some things you should know.

Am I stuck here forever?

Fortunately no. Whether you are in Iceland or somewhere else that WOW Air flew to and from, you do have options available.

The first thing to do is to check to see if there are other flights going where you need to go. In some cases, other airlines may offer a discounted “rescue fare” in light of the current situation. That said, you may be able to narrow your search—the Icelandic Transport Authority has posted that Icelandair and EasyJet have so far offered to pitch in by offering rescue fares to select destinations. You would do well to refresh that page as more airlines or destinations may be added. Icelandair and WizzAir have also announced that they are doing everything they can to help stranded passengers get home.

Am I going to get my money back?

Probably. If you bought your ticket with a credit card, you can contact your credit card company to ask about getting a refund. If you booked your trip through a travel agent in the European Economic Area, you are protected by the Package Travel Directive, and as such you should call your travel agent about getting other arrangements made. You may also be refunded, in whole or in part, if you bought travel protection. In addition, WOW Air may provide you with compensation in accordance with European regulation on Air Passenger Rights. That is, unless WOW Air goes bankrupt, in which case a claim needs to be filed with the airline’s administrator/liquidator.

Where can I get updated information?

You can stay on top of events as they unfold through the Icelandic Transport Authority, Keflavík Airport or WOW Air.

Furthermore information will be posted as it arises.

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