'Discussions' regarding the ability to claim for delays/cancellations seem to fall into two camps. There are those who say that aircraft are technical mechanical machines, they go wrong so what do you expect? The normal scaremongering tactics are introduced regarding pressure upon crew to fly, resultant ticket price increases etc however IMO scaremongering.
The other 'camp' point to the fact 'the law is the law' and airlines should abide by same and there is no excuse (within the parameters of 261/2004) for not doing so.
The main problem occurs when passengers are not looked after both during and post delay and IMO this is where the airlines could significantly improve their position. Too many times words such as abandoned, treated like cattle occur. If airlines took a more responsible attitude to the very people who have paid their fares a lot of adverse publicity (and indeed delay claims) could be alleviated.
The fact that the LCC's are forcing people to go to the small claims court or use an ambulance chaser solicitor rather than acknowledge a legitimate claim is ridiculous. They are paying out significantly more in defending the indefensible than if they settled in the first instance.
The internet coverage regarding 261/2004 increases on a daily basis, in the main due to the attitude displayed by the airlines and indeed before you embark on a possible claim you may wish to read this comprehensive guide >
https://dl.orangedox.com/GdfSa4xUZdZ...mpensation.pdf
At the end of the day your best ammunition is not to fly said airline and fly one of their competitors ......... until that is they have a delay ........ survival of the fittest.