If you depart from an airport within the European Union or arrive at an airport within the EU by flying with an air carrier based in the European Union, as well as in the United Kingdom, Iceland, Norway or Switzerland and your air travel is interrupted,you have important rights pursuant to European Union law.

European Regulation 261/2004 has established common rulesregarding compensation and assistance to passengers, which air carriers are required to comply with,in case of delay of more than 3 hours, cancellation and denied boarding.

What is often not mentioned is that compensation is also due in the event of a missed connection.

This applies even if the connecting flight was operated by another airline as long as your ticket is valid for both legs of the flight (single booking).

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

Everything you are owed by European Union law, as an air passenger, applies when:

• Your flight iswithin the EUand fly withan EU or non-EU airline
• Your flightarrives within the EU territoryfrom outside the EU and flights withan EU airline
• Your flightdeparts from the territory of the EUto a country outside the European Union, and flights withan EU or non-EU airline

Please note: To benefit from your rights as a European Union passenger, you must not have received any other types of benefits(compensation, re-routing, airline assistance) for flight-related problems under the relevant law of a country that is not part of the European Union.

In other words, the benefits are applicable only once for the same flight.

Delay, cancellation, overbooking or missed connecting flight?

The amount of compensation depends on the distance of the flight,not by the amount you paid for your ticket.

• Short-distance flight delays –Under 1500 km– The passenger is due compensation of250 €
• Medium-distance flight delays –Between 1500 km and 3500 km– The passenger is due compensation of€400
• Long-distance flight delays –Over 3500 km– The passenger is due compensation of€600

If a problem arises, such as a flight being canceled or delayed for any reason, or you are denied boarding, as a passenger you have significant rights under applicable European Union consumer rights legislation.

Has your flight been heavily delayed or cancelled?Click here

Have you been denied boarding and don't know what to do?Click here

According to the European Union regulation, however, there are some deemed circumstances“extraordinary”, for which no type of compensation is due.

What are they?

We'll talk about it in the next article!

If in the meantime you need information,you can contact us here