European Passenger Rights
The EU regulation EC 261/2004 has written airline passenger rights into law. Practically, this means that European passenger rights are protected from delays, cancelations, enforced class/seat downgrades and being denied boarding. If faced with any of these problems, passengers can claim compensation against the airline.
Any passenger is protected under this legislation if they board a flight in a European Union country. They are also protected if they board a flight outside of the European Union that is operated by a European airline and will land in the EU.
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Know your rights for problems on flights
Thanks to European passenger rights, you can claim compensation in many instances, except in extraordinary circumstances. These include decisions by air traffic control, political instability, extreme weather and security threats. However, aircraft collisions and technical failures are not considered extraordinary circumstances. Most passengers file compensation claims when they return home from vacation.
However, in cases of cancelation and delay, passengers are entitled to what EC 261 describes as 'assistance and care'. Airlines must provide passengers with food and drink if they are stuck at the airport for more than 3 hours. If flights are delayed overnight or passengers are to be rescheduled on a flight the next morning, the airline must provide hotel accommodation. In that instance, airlines are required to provide adequate transport between the hotel and the airport so that passengers can make their flight. Passengers can claim compensation for all delays of over 3 hours. Claiming compensation for flight cancellation can be trickier; airlines do not have to compensate anyone if they warn you 14 days in advance of departure. However, if the flight is cancelled within 14 days of its departure, you are eligible to make a claim.
AirHelp is here to help you get compensation for flight delays and cancellations. Find out what you could be entitled to.
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About AirHelp
AirHelp is the world's largest air passenger rights organization, here to help air travelers secure compensation for delayed, canceled, or overbooked flights.
We make claiming compensation easy and stress-free. Whether you are unsure of your rights, lack the time, or simply want an expert to handle your entire claim for you, AirHelp can help you get what you are rightfully owed.
We operate on a no win, no fee basis, so you can check your compensation risk-free.
Claiming Compensation for Flight Delays and Cancellations
How do you know when you should claim compensation for a delayed or canceled flight? Though the law can be complicated, we're here to break it down for you:
Delayed flights: you may be able to claim compensation if your flight arrived 3 hours or more late.
Canceled flights: you may be eligible for compensation if your flight was canceled less than 14 days before it was due to depart.
Overbookings: you are owed compensation any time you are denied boarding through no fault of your own — so long as you didn't voluntarily give up your seat.
We should note that if extraordinary circumstances were involved, arirlines are under no obligation to pay compensation. Examples of extraordinary circumstances include bad weather, travel restrictions, and air traffic control strikes. Though these situations cause delays and cancellations, the airline isn't at fault, so can't be expected to offer compensation.
Remember these are European flight regulations and so only apply to flights departing from an EU airport, or flights landing in the EU with a European airline. The table below makes it clear which flights are covered:
Claim up to $650 in compensation if your flight has been delayed, canceled, or overbooked within the last 3 years.
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How Much Flight Compensation?
Distance | Compensation |
---|---|
All flights under 1,500 km | Up to $270 per person |
Internal EU flights over 1,500 km | Up to $430 per person |
Non-internal EU flights between 1,500 - 3,500 km | Up to $430 per person |
Non-internal EU flights over 3,500 km | Up to €600 per person |
Table shows values in € as specified in EC 261
In some circumstances the compensation amount may differ from the standard amounts shown above. The easiest way to find out what you’re owed is to use our Compensation Calculator.
What to Do if Your Flight is Delayed or Canceled
If you experience a flight delay or cancellation, here's what you should do:
Hold onto your boarding pass and other travel documents.
Ask why the flight was delayed or canceled.
Request food, drinks, and if necessary, free transport and hotel accommodation.
If you had a canceled flight, ask for an alternative flight or a refund.
Keep all receipts of any extra expenses you may have had, including necessary food, clothing, etc.
Be careful not to sign any waivers or accept vouchers that will require you to waive your right to compensation.
Recent delays and cancellations
Date | Flight number | Airline | Route | Status | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
10/07/2024 | 12:50 PM | OD503 | Tor Air AB | DAD (DAD) Kuala Lumpur (KUL) | Canceled | Check Compensation |
10/07/2024 | 12:50 PM | 9P673 | Fly Jinnah | ISB (ISB) Karachi (KHI) | Canceled | Check Compensation |
10/07/2024 | 12:50 PM | MF8820 | Xiamen Airlines Company | YCU (YCU) Xiamen (XMN) | Canceled | Check Compensation |
10/07/2024 | 12:50 PM | PR896 | Philippine Airlines | MNL (MNL) Taipei (TPE) | Delayed | Check Compensation |
10/07/2024 | 12:50 PM | IR372 | Iran Air | OMH (OMH) Mashad (MHD) | Canceled | Check Compensation |
10/07/2024 | 12:50 PM | IW1323 | Wings Air | PLW (PLW) Balikpapan (BPN) | Canceled | Check Compensation |
10/07/2024 | 12:50 PM | DD554 | Nok Air | DMK (DMK) Nakhon Si Thammarat (NST) | Canceled | Check Compensation |
10/07/2024 | 12:50 PM | XY160 | Flynas - National Air Services | ULH (ULH) Riyadh (RUH) | Canceled | Check Compensation |
10/07/2024 | 12:50 PM | SL7356 | Rio-Sul Servicos Aereos Regionais | DMK (DMK) Taichung (RMQ) | Canceled | Check Compensation |
10/07/2024 | 12:50 PM | 2G83 | Angara Airlines | IKT (IKT) Kirensk (KCK) | Canceled | Check Compensation |
- Canceled
OD503
•Tor Air AB
Da Nang
••Kuala Lumpur
DAD
KUL
Check Compensation10/07/2024
12:50 PM
- Canceled
9P673
•Fly Jinnah
Islamabad
••Karachi
ISB
KHI
Check Compensation10/07/2024
12:50 PM
- Canceled
MF8820
•Xiamen Airlines Company
Yuncheng
••Xiamen
YCU
XMN
Check Compensation10/07/2024
12:50 PM
- Delayed
PR896
•Philippine Airlines
Manila
••Taipei
MNL
TPE
Check Compensation10/07/2024
12:50 PM
- Canceled
IR372
•Iran Air
Urumiyeh
••Mashad
OMH
MHD
Check Compensation10/07/2024
12:50 PM
- Canceled
IW1323
•Wings Air
Palu
••Balikpapan
PLW
BPN
Check Compensation10/07/2024
12:50 PM
- Canceled
DD554
•Nok Air
Bangkok
••Nakhon Si Thammarat
DMK
NST
Check Compensation10/07/2024
12:50 PM
- Canceled
XY160
•Flynas - National Air Services
Al Ula
••Riyadh
ULH
RUH
Check Compensation10/07/2024
12:50 PM
- Canceled
SL7356
•Rio-Sul Servicos Aereos Regionais
Bangkok
••Taichung
DMK
RMQ
Check Compensation10/07/2024
12:50 PM
- Canceled
2G83
•Angara Airlines
Irkutsk
••Kirensk
IKT
KCK
Check Compensation10/07/2024
12:50 PM
2 hours delay
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