17.02.2005
New rights to airline passengers

Is your flight cancelled, delayed or overbooked? On 17 February 2005, the EU introduced new rules on airline passengers’ rights to financial compensation and other benefits.

The new rules apply to both scheduled and charter flights out of airports in the EU. The rules also apply if you are flying into the EU from a non-EU airport, but only if you are flying on an EU-based airline.

Overbooking

If you are denied boarding because the flight is overbooked and you do not voluntarily give up your seat, for instance against a refund of your ticket, the airline must pay compensation at fixed rates depending on the length of the flight. Compensation must be paid out within seven days.

In addition, the airline must either refund your ticket or arrange for alternative transport to your destination and offer you meals, refreshments and, if necessary, hotel accommodation.

Cancellations

The same rules on compensation and other benefits apply if your flight is cancelled at a notice of a few hours or days. However, you are not entitled to compensation if the cancellation is due to “extraordinary and unavoidable circumstances”.

Delays

In the event of delays of a few hours – from two to five hours depending on the length of the flight – the airline must offer you meals, refreshments and, if necessary, hotel accommodation. If your flight is delayed five hours or more, the airline must also refund your ticket and fly you back to your original point of origin free of charge.

A folder is available at the airport’s Service Information desk containing a description of your new rights as an airline passenger. You can also see the folder and read more about the rules by following the links below.

 Download folder in pdf with air passenger rights

 Download poster in pdf with air passenger rights