When Lunch Break Discussions Lead to Innovation
Have you ever been stranded at an airport, watching your vacation plans crumble as your flight gets delayed or canceled? While most passengers silently accept these inconveniences, few realize they’re entitled to significant compensation under EU law. This knowledge gap is exactly what inspired me to create a solution that’s changing how Portuguese travelers respond to flight disruptions.
I’m Lina, a legal professional who has called Seaside Cowork (formerly Porto io Seaside) my professional home for the past five years. What began as a casual conversation during one of our community lunches has evolved into a powerful consumer advocacy platform that’s helping passengers claim what they’re legally owed.
From Law Books to Passenger Justice: How Lina’s Legal Passion Took Flight
As a law student passionate about consumer rights, I saw an opportunity to leverage technology to level the playing field between powerful airlines and individual travelers.
“Airlines have teams of lawyers and complex procedures designed to minimize payouts,” I explain. “Individual passengers are at a significant disadvantage when trying to navigate these systems alone. Reclamarvoo.pt gives them the expertise and persistence needed to succeed.”
Turning Frustration into Opportunity
“Most passengers simply don’t know their rights when flights are disrupted,” I explain, recalling the moment the idea first took shape. “Airlines count on this lack of awareness, and the complex claim process often discourages those who do know they’re entitled to compensation.”
This realization led to the creation of Reclamarvoo.pt – a free, Portuguese-language platform that guides travelers through the often intimidating process of claiming compensation for flight disruptions.
The platform operates on a straightforward principle: simplify the complex. Visitors to Reclamarvoo.pt first complete a free eligibility check to determine if their disrupted flight qualifies for compensation under EU regulations.
If eligible, passengers simply submit their documentation, and our team handles everything else – from filing the claim to negotiating with the airline. The no-win, no-fee model means travelers only pay a percentage of their compensation if the claim succeeds, making it a risk-free proposition for consumers.
A True Coworking Success Story
What makes Reclamarvoo.pt particularly special is that it embodies the collaborative spirit of coworking. The project wasn’t developed in isolation but emerged through the combined talents of Seaside Cowork members.
“The beauty of working in a coworking space is the diverse expertise surrounding you,” I share with evident pride. “
Lina
Our coworker Fabs, an experienced product designer, transformed Lina’s vision into an intuitive digital experience, crafting both the conceptual framework and user-friendly interface that makes Reclamarvoo.pt so accessible.
Meanwhile, Greg—a self-taught Bubble expert who had already developed a successful influencer management platform—provided the technical expertise to bring the design to life. His mastery of the no-code Bubble technology allowed the team to rapidly develop a sophisticated system without traditional programming constraints.
This perfect storm of complementary talents exemplifies the magic of coworking spaces. Had these professionals remained isolated in traditional office environments, Reclamarvoo.pt might have forever remained an unrealized concept rather than the powerful consumer advocacy tool it has become.
