Air passenger rights

AIR PASSENGER RIGHTS – SUMMARY

Following summary refers to http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/passenger-rights/air/index_en.htm and informs you on your rights as a passenger.
If you would like to have more information or find out the list of national authorities responsible for the application of the rights; please visit the following website: apr.europa.eu. This website also provides complain templates which can be used to send to your airlines or national authorities if the airline is not responding.

Delays, cancellations and overbooking

In case of delays, overbooking and cancellations you also have rights which will apply. These rights apply if you are:

• Departing from any airport situated in the EU, or
• Arriving in the EU with an EU carrier or with a carrier from Iceland, Norway or Switzerland

Refund or alternative transport

If you are denied boarding or when your flight is cancelled or overbooked, you are entitled to either:

• Transport to your final destination using comparable alternative means, or
• Having your ticket refunded and, where relevant, being returned free of charge to your initial departure point

Long delays – if your flight is delayed by 5 hours or more, you are also entitled to a refund (But if you accept a refund, the airline does not have to provide any further onward travel or assistance).
Your airline must inform you about your rights and the reason for being denied boarding, or any cancellations or long delays (over 2 hours, although this may be up to 4 hours for flights in excess of 3,500 Km).

Food and board

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 length of delay.

Financial compensation

In addition, if you are denied boarding, your flight is cancelled or arrives more than 3 hours late on arrival at the final destination stated on your ticket, you may be entitled to compensation of € 250 – 600, depending on the distance of the flight:

Within the EU

• 1,500 km or less –  € 250
• Over 1,500 km – € 400

Between EU airport and non-EU airport

• 1,500 km or less – € 250
• 1,500 – 3,500 km – € 400
• over 3,500 km – € 600

If the carrier offers you an alternative flight with a similar schedule, the compensation may be reduced by 50%.

Regarding cancelled flights, no compensation will be given when:

• The cancellation was due to extraordinary circumstances for example due to bad weather, or
• You were informed 2 weeks before the scheduled flight date, or
• You were offered an alternative for the same route with a similar schedule to the original one

Even in extraordinary circumstances, airlines must provide assistance when necessary, while you are waiting for alternative transport.

How to get a refund or compensation ?

Submit an air passenger rights EU complaint form to your airline – and make sure you keep a copy for yourself.

If this doesn’t work, or you aren’t satisfied with the reply, you can complain to the national enforcement body in the EU country where the incident took place.

Or, if the incident happened at an airport of departure outside the EU but involved an EU airline, you can send a complaint to the relevant national enforcement body in the EU country you were travelling to.

Lost or damaged registered luggage

Checked-in luggage
If your registered luggage is lost, damaged or delayed, you may be entitled to compensation from the airline, up to about € 1, 220.
Exception – if damage is caused by an inherent defect in the baggage itself.

Hand baggage (including personal items)
The carrier is liable if it was responsible for the damage.

Make sure to file your claim within 7 days of receiving your luggage (or 21 days if your luggage was delayed).
If you wish to pursue other legal action, you must do so within 2 years of the date your luggage arrives.

If you are travelling with expensive items, you might be able – for a fee – to obtain a compensation limit higher than € 1,220 by making a special advance declaration to the airline – at the latest when you check in. Though the best thing is really to take out private travel insurance.
There is no standard form for the special declaration. It is up to the airlines to choose the type of form they provide.

Booking online – clear pricing

When you book a flight online, the total price of the ticket – including all compulsory elements such as taxes and charges – must be visible from the start, so you can compare prices across airlines and make an informed choice.

As well as the final price, at least the following information must be clearly displayed: air fare, taxes, airport charges, other charges, surcharges or fees (such as for security or fuel).
Any optional supplements must be clearly indicated and suggested on an opt-in basis only.