Navigating Flight Disruptions: Your Rights When Delays or Cancellations Strike
- Written by Sarah Neu
- § 3 Min
- Air Travel
- Aviation Regulation
- Passenger Rights
Airlines Delay or Cancel: Your Rights Explained - Passenger rights: Compensation for delayed or cancelled flights
Airline Passenger Rights in the Face of Delays and Cancellations
Eligibility and Amounts for Compensation:
- Passengers can currently claim compensation if their flight is delayed by at least 3 hours, with payouts ranging from €250 to €600, depending on flight distance:
- €250 for flights under 1,500 km
- €400 for flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km
- €600 for flights over 3,500 km
- For cancelled flights, the same compensation amounts apply if the cancellation occurs less than 14 days before departure.
Shifts on the Horizon (2025):
- The threshold for compensation for delays is increasing, with passengers needing to experience delays exceeding 4 hours to be eligible, up from 3 hours previously.
- For flights over 3,500 km, compensation is only payable after delays exceed 6 hours.
- Compensation amounts will decrease for some flights:
- The maximum compensation for intra-European flights will be reduced to €300 (from €600) for delays over 4 hours.
- For long-haul flights over 3,500 km, compensation will increase to €500 but will only be payable after more than 6 hours delay.
- Flights to overseas territories will be treated as intra-European flights for compensation purposes.
Other Vital Passenger Rights:
- Airlines are obliged to inform passengers about their rights, although this information may not always be readily available in practice.
- In cases of prolonged delays, passengers may be entitled to complementary meals, refreshments, and even accommodation if necessary.
- Rights to reimbursement or rerouting in case of cancellations or denied boarding are also safeguarded[4].
Airport and Travel Compensation:
- The primary duty to provide compensation lies with the airlines, not airports.
- Airports may have obligations regarding passenger care facilities but do not directly compensate for delays or cancellations caused by airlines.
- Separate passenger rights apply for other transport modes (rail, ship, bus) within the EU, with regulations differing from air travel regulations[4].
The Bottom Line:
| Aspect | Current EU261 Regulation (Pre-2025) | New Proposed Rules (2025 and Beyond) ||---------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------|| Delay threshold for compensation | >3 hours | >4 hours (intra-EU & under 3500 km flights); >6 hours (over 3500 km) || Compensation amount (max) | Up to €600 | Up to €300 intra-EU; Up to €500 long haul || Cancellation compensation | Up to €600 | Same amounts as above || Airline obligation | Inform passengers, provide care | As is, with potential improved schedule flexibility for airlines |
Travelers in Europe are legally entitled to compensation for extended delays and cancellations caused by airlines, but starting in 2025, these rights are set to be modified, with higher thresholds and lower payouts for some cases. Airports do not typically provide compensation; the responsibility lies with the airline operating the flight[4].
Given the impending reductions in entitlements, it is essential for travelers to educate themselves about their rights and assert them promptly. Employing compensation claim services can help secure financial redress and assistance during flight disruptions[1][2][5].
The Commission has not yet adopted a decision on the application of these new Regulation changes to travelers' lifestyles, particularly in terms of air travel and passenger rights. Even as the threshold for compensation for delays increases, it's crucial for passengers to continue understanding their rights, such as the provision of meals, refreshments, and potential accommodation during prolonged delays.
