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Flight canceled? Know your rights so the airline can't escape compensation!
When traveling, flight changes often catch people off guard. According to the Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 on the Rights of Air Passengers, the EU provides a series of rights to affected passengers, which not only protect the interests of passengers, but also impose obligations on airlines. Whether it is a flight delay, denied boarding or flight cancellation, this rule establishes clear compensation and assistance standards for passengers so that airlines cannot escape responsibility.
What are your rights?
Under this rule, when a flight is delayed for more than three hours, passengers are entitled to compensation of between 250 and 600 euros, depending on the distance of the flight. If a flight is cancelled, travelers have the option to reschedule or request a full refund.
If a flight is delayed for more than two hours, airlines must also provide free meals, communications, and even accommodation. When a flight is delayed for five hours, passengers have the right to choose to abandon the trip and receive a full refund for unused tickets.
Situation of being denied boarding
When a flight has too many seats and cannot be boarded, the airline must first seek volunteers to voluntarily give up their seats in order to obtain additional compensation. If it is still necessary to deny boarding to certain passengers, these denied passengers will receive the same compensation and assistance as for delays or cancellations.
When a flight is cancelled, you have options
If a flight is canceled, airlines must promptly reschedule passengers under comparable conditions or provide designated refund options. If the airline fails to notify in advance, it will still be liable for compensation. Even if a cancellation is due to force majeure, airlines are still required to provide instructions and alternative transportation options to all affected passengers.
Delay conditions and compensation conditions
Passengers’ rights to compensation when flights are delayed vary depending on the type of flight. The calculation of delay time is based on the scheduled arrival time. Therefore, even if the airline claims that the delay time is within the standard, as long as the passenger finally arrives at the destination for more than three hours, he can still claim compensation according to the rules.
For example, in a case where a flight was delayed for more than three hours, the court ruled that passengers should be deemed to have suffered a flight cancellation and still have the right to compensation.
Terms that airlines must comply with
Under regulations, airlines must clearly display notices about passengers' rights at check-in counters. If a flight is canceled or delayed, airlines must provide affected passengers with written notice indicating their contact information and related rights.
How airlines respond
As the rules roll out, airlines must manage their operations more strictly. If an employee goes on strike, etc., it will not be considered a reasonable reason to avoid compensation. Relevant legal cases indicate that airlines should be solely responsible for internal management issues and should not affect the rights of passengers.
Impact on consumers and future prospects
With Brexit, the application of this rule may be affected to some extent. But overall, this rule requires airlines to be more transparent and responsible, and the rights and interests of passengers are protected, making people feel more at ease when traveling.
If you encounter a flight delay or cancellation, remember to proactively ask about your rights and available compensation. This is the basic right of every passenger!
Having a canceled flight is a frustrating experience, but knowing your rights can make you more confident when facing these difficulties. Are you ready to exercise these rights?
