Loganair flight diverted? A diverted flight can be confusing and stressful, especially when you’re expecting to land at your original destination but the plane suddenly changes course. Flight diversions can happen for many reasons — from bad weather and medical emergencies to technical issues or airport restrictions — and they often lead to delays, missed connections, and extra stress for passengers.
In this article, we explain what does it mean when a flight is diverted, why diversions happen, and what your rights are if your travel plans are disrupted by a Loganair diverted flight.
Check your compensation online.
What Does It Mean When a Flight Is Diverted?
A diverted flight is when the plane lands at a different airport than originally planned instead of arriving at its scheduled destination.
This can happen for various reasons — such as bad weather, safety concerns, medical emergencies, or air traffic restrictions.
A diversion often leads to delays and may require passengers to wait for a new flight or alternative transport to reach their final destination.
Why Flight Diversions Happen?
While flight diversions can be frustrating, they are usually made for safety, operational, or logistical reasons.
Below are some of the most common causes:
- Bad weather. Storms, heavy fog, strong winds, snow, or poor visibility can make it unsafe to land at the original airport, so the flight may be redirected to a nearby alternative.
- Air traffic control restrictions. Air traffic congestion, airspace closures, or runway limitations can prevent an aircraft from landing as scheduled, leading to a diverted flight.
- Medical emergencies. If a passenger or crew member becomes seriously ill mid-flight, the aircraft may divert to the nearest suitable airport so they can receive urgent medical care.
- Technical or mechanical issues. Some aircraft problems require the crew to land at the closest appropriate airport for inspection or repairs, even if it means changing the original route.
- Airport operational problems. Issues such as runway closures, equipment failures, airport staff shortages, or unexpected incidents at the airport can prevent normal arrivals and trigger diversions.
- Security concerns. Flights can be diverted due to security risks, suspicious activity, or emergencies involving passengers or the airport.
What Happens When Flight Is Diverted?
Flight diverted? When a flight is diverted, the aircraft lands at a different airport than planned.
Passengers may have to wait on the plane or inside the terminal while the airline arranges the next steps.
Depending on the situation, the airline may continue the journey on the same aircraft, put passengers on a new flight, or organise ground transport to the original destination.
What to Do When Your Flight Is Diverted?
- Stay updated. Check airline messages, airport screens, and listen for gate announcements.
- Ask for the reason in writing. Get confirmation of why the flight was diverted (useful for UK/EU flight compensation claims).
- Confirm the next steps. Ask whether you’ll be rebooked, continue on the same aircraft, or get ground transport.
- Keep your travel documents. Save your boarding pass, booking confirmation, and any airline emails or texts (useful for UK/EU flight compensation claims).
- If you’re stuck waiting at the airport for a new flight or replacement transport, you may be entitled to the right to care (explained below).
- If the airline doesn’t provide care, arrange it yourself — book accommodation if needed and buy meals or refreshments. Just make sure to keep all receipts, as you may be able to claim these reasonable expenses back later.
- Claim flight compensation once you arrive home (explained below).
When a Diverted Flight Returns to the Departure Airport
Sometimes a flight is diverted back to its departure airport instead of landing elsewhere. This usually happens when a technical problem or safety concern is detected shortly after takeoff.
If your flight returns to the origin airport, the airline must:
- Rebook you on the next available flight to your destination
- Provide care during the delay (food, drinks, and accommodation if needed)
- Cover approved alternative travel arrangements
Your rights to care and onward transport remain the same as with any other flight diversion.
What does diverted flight mean? A diverted flight means your plane lands at a different airport than originally scheduled instead of arriving at its planned destination.
Your Right to Care When a Loganair Flight is Diverted
If your flight is diverted and you’re stuck waiting at the airport, you have the right to care under EU/UK passenger rights rules.
Depending on the length of the delay, the airline may need to provide:
- Meals and refreshments while you wait (wait must be at least 3 hours long)
- Hotel accommodation if an overnight stay is necessary
- Transport between the airport and the hotel
This assistance must be provided free of charge until you can continue your journey. If the airline doesn’t offer support, contact airline staff and request it. If the airline doesn’t provide care, arrange it yourself — book accommodation if needed and buy meals or refreshments. Just make sure to keep all receipts, as you may be able to claim these reasonable expenses back later.
Check your compensation online.
Loganair Flight Diverted – Compensation May Be Available
When your flight is diverted, it’s usually treated the same way as a flight delay, because what matters is when you arrive at your final destination.
In most cases, diverted flight compensation follows the same rules as flight delay compensation — meaning you may be entitled to compensation if the diversion causes a long arrival delay and the disruption was the airline’s responsibility.
Here are the main requirements for diverted flight compensation (treated like flight delay compensation under UK261/EU261):
- You arrived 3+ hours late at your final destination. Compensation is based on your arrival time, not the diversion itself.
- The diversion was the airline’s responsibility. Compensation usually applies if the cause was within the airline’s control (e.g., technical issues, operational problems, airline crew issues).
- It was not caused by extraordinary circumstances such as bad weather. No compensation is due for events like severe weather, major Air Traffic Control restrictions, or security risks.
How Much is Compensation for Diverted Flight?
Compensation for diverted flight depends on the distance of your journey:
- €250 – Flights up to 1,500 km
- €400 – Flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km
- €600 – Flights over 3,500 km
Read more: How to Claim Loganair Compensation?
Loganair flight diverted? It’s frustrating, but UK/EU law has your back — the airline must get you to your destination safely, provide care during the delay, and may owe you compensation in certain cases.
Featured photo by Gylfi Gylfason from Pexels