Your Rights

EU Air Passenger Rights and Protections: EU Regulation 261/2004

EU Regulation 261/2004 outlines the rights and protections for air passengers in the European Union. It provides compensation and assistance for passengers in cases of flight delays, cancellations, denied boarding, and missed connections. Compensation ranges from €250 to €600, depending on the flight distance and length of delay. The regulation also mandates airlines to offer assistance such as meals, refreshments, accommodation, and re-routing options.

Delayed Flight Rights

Under EU Regulation 261/2004, passengers have specific rights if their flight is delayed:

1. Right to Assistance

1.1. 2+ Hours Delay (short flights up to 1,500 km):

Passengers are entitled to meals and refreshments.
Access to communication (two free telephone calls, emails, or faxes).

1.2. 3+ Hours Delay (medium flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km):

Passengers are entitled to meals and refreshments.
Access to communication (two free telephone calls, emails, or faxes).

1.3. 4+ Hours Delay (long flights over 3,500 km):

Passengers are entitled to meals and refreshments.
Access to communication (two free telephone calls, emails, or faxes).

2. Right to Accommodation

For delays extending overnight, passengers are entitled to hotel accommodation and transportation between the airport and the hotel.

3. Right to Reimbursement or Re-routing

3.1. If the delay exceeds 5 hours, passengers can choose between:

Reimbursement of the full ticket cost.
Re-routing to the final destination at the earliest opportunity.

4. Right to Compensation

4.1. Passengers are entitled to financial compensation if the delay at arrival exceeds 3 hours, unless the delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances. The compensation amounts are:

€250 for flights up to 1,500 km.
€400 for flights within the EU over 1,500 km and for all other flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km.
€600 for flights over 3,500 km.

5. Right to Compensation

Airlines must provide passengers with information about their rights, including the reason for the delay and the expected duration.

These rights ensure that passengers are treated fairly and provided for during significant delays.

Cancelled Flight Rights

Under EU Regulation 261/2004, passengers have specific rights if their flight is cancelled:

1. Right to Information

Airlines must inform passengers about the cancellation and their rights, including the reason for the cancellation.

2. Right to Reimbursement or Re-routing

2.1. Passengers can choose between:

Full reimbursement of the ticket cost within seven days.
Re-routing to their final destination at the earliest opportunity.
Re-routing at a later date at the passenger’s convenience, subject to seat availability.

3. Right to Assistance

3.1. While waiting for the re-routed flight, passengers are entitled to:

Meals and refreshments.
Access to communication (two free telephone calls, emails, or faxes).
Hotel accommodation and transport between the airport and the hotel if an overnight stay is necessary.

4. Right to Compensation

4.1. Passengers may be entitled to compensation, unless:

They are informed of the cancellation at least 14 days before the scheduled departure.
They are informed between 7 and 14 days before the scheduled departure and offered an alternative flight departing no more than 2 hours before the original time and arriving less than 4 hours after the original time.
They are informed less than 7 days before the scheduled departure and offered an alternative flight departing no more than 1 hour before the original time and arriving less than 2 hours after the original time.
The cancellation was due to extraordinary circumstances beyond the airline’s control.

4.2. The compensation amounts are:

€250 for flights up to 1,500 km.
€400 for flights within the EU over 1,500 km and for all other flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km.
€600 for flights over 3,500 km.

These rights ensure that passengers are treated fairly and provided for during significant delays.

Flight Overbooking

Flight overbooking occurs when an airline sells more tickets than there are available seats on the plane.

Key Points on Flight Overbooking

1. Handling Overbooking

Volunteers: Airlines usually ask for volunteers to give up their seats in exchange for compensation, such as travel vouchers, meals, accommodation, or alternative flights.
Involuntary Denied Boarding: If there are not enough volunteers, airlines may deny boarding to some passengers against their will.

2. Rights of Passengers

2.1. Right to Compensation: Passengers who are involuntarily denied boarding due to overbooking are entitled to financial compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004.

€250 for flights up to 1,500 km.
€400 for flights within the EU over 1,500 km and for all other flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km.
€600 for flights over 3,500 km.

2.2. Right to Re-routing or Reimbursement: Passengers can choose between a full ticket reimbursement or re-routing to their final destination at the earliest opportunity.

2.3. Right to Assistance: While waiting for an alternative flight, passengers are entitled to meals, refreshments, and access to communication (two free telephone calls, emails, or faxes). If an overnight stay is necessary, passengers are also entitled to hotel accommodation and transport between the airport and the hotel.

3. Exceptions

Extraordinary Circumstances: Airlines are not required to provide compensation if the overbooking is due to extraordinary circumstances beyond their control.

Missed Connection Flight

Flight overbooking occurs when an airline sells more tickets than there are available seats on the plane.

Key Points on Flight Overbooking

1. Causes of Missed Connections

Flight Delays: The most common cause is a delay in the first leg of the journey.
Tight Scheduling: Insufficient time allocated between connecting flights.
Operational Issues: Factors such as gate changes, long security lines, and baggage transfer delays.
Weather Conditions: Adverse weather impacting flight

2. Passenger Rights under EU Regulation 261/2004

2.1. Right to Compensation: If a missed connection results in arriving at the final destination more than 3 hours later than originally scheduled, passengers may be entitled to compensation.

€250 for flights up to 1,500 km.
€400 for flights within the EU over 1,500 km and for all other flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km.
€600 for flights over 3,500 km.
Compensation is not provided if the delay is due to extraordinary circumstances beyond the airline’s control.

3. Right to Assistance

Meals and Refreshments: Provided in relation to the waiting time.
Access to Communication: Two free telephone calls, emails, or faxes.
Accommodation: Hotel accommodation and transport between the airport and the hotel if an overnight stay is necessary.

4. Re-routing or Reimbursement

Re-routing: Passengers are entitled to re-routing to their final destination at the earliest opportunity.
Reimbursement: If the missed connection makes the trip unnecessary, passengers can opt for a full reimbursement of the ticket cost and a return flight to the point of departure if applicable.

5. Steps to Take When a Connection is Missed

Inform the Airline: Notify the airline immediately about the missed connection.
Seek Assistance: Request assistance and information about re-routing options or compensation.
Keep Records: Maintain records of all communications, receipts for expenses incurred, and any other relevant documentation.

Missed connections can be disruptive, but knowing your rights and the steps to take can help mitigate the impact and ensure you receive appropriate assistance and compensation.