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Air passenger rights
Did you know that when you take a plane from an airport in the EU with any carrier or when you arrive in the EU on a flight operated by a carrier registered in the EU - or in Iceland, Norway or Switzerland, you are protected by EU law?
If things go wrong in relation to your flight you may be entitled to some rights.
Right to reimbursement or rerouting
If you are denied boarding or your flight is cancelled or overbooked, you have the right to choose between being rerouted to your final destination, under comparable transport conditions, or having your non used ticket reimbursed and, where relevant, a return service to your first point of departure.
You also have the right of reimbursement of your non used ticket if you face a long delay of flight of 5 hours or more.
If you request reimbursement of your ticket, you give up the right to any further onward travel, assistance or re-routing from the airline company.
Your airline should always inform you about your rights and the reason for any denied boarding, cancellation, or long delay (more than 2 hours and depending on the distance of the flight).
Right to care
You may also be entitled to refreshments, meals, communications (such as a free phone call), and, if necessary, overnight stay, depending on the flight distance and the length of delay.
Right to compensation
In addition, if you are denied boarding, your flight is cancelled or arrives at its destination more than 3 hours late, you may be entitled to compensation of 250 - 600 euros, depending on the distance of the flight.
If the carrier offered you an alternative flight with a similar schedule, the compensation may be reduced by 50%.
Flights within the EU:
- 1 500 km or less: 250 euros
- More than 1 500 km: 400 euros
Flights between an EU airport and a non-EU airport:
- 1 500 km or less: 250 euros
- 1 500 - 3 500 km: 400 euros
- More than 3 500 km: 600 euros
The distance is calculated from the airport where you were unable to board the plane, which may not be where you started your journey.
You will not receive compensation if the cancellation of your flight:
- was due to extraordinary circumstances.
or
- you were informed of the cancellation 2 weeks before the scheduled flight date.
Under extraordinary circumstances you may not have the right to compensation, but the carrier must offer you the choice between the reimbursement of your ticket (in full or for the part that you have not used), rerouting to the final destination at the earliest opportunity or rebooking at a later date at your choice (subject to availability of seats). Even under extraordinary circumstances, air carriers are obliged to provide assistance when necessary, while you are waiting for re-routing.