EU Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 - Airline Cancellations, Delays and Passenger Rights
📌 \1. When do EU passenger rights apply?
EU rules apply if:
- Your flight departs from an EU airport (all carriers), or
- Your flight arrives in the EU on an EU airline.They also apply to flights within the EEA (EU + Iceland, Norway,
Switzerland).
💶 \2. What rights do I have if a flight is cancelled?
If your flight is cancelled, you are entitled to:
a) Reimbursement or alternative transport
Choose one of the following:
- Full refund of the unused ticket (and return flight if relevant),
- Re-routing to your final destination at the earliest opportunity,
- Re-routing at a later date of your choice under comparable conditions.
b) Compensation
You may also receive financial compensation unless:
- You were notified 14 days or more before departure, or
- The cancellation was caused by extraordinary circumstances (e.g., extreme weather, security risks).
c) Assistance / care
During waits for re-routing:
- Meals, refreshments,
- Accommodation + transport if overnight stay needed,
- Communication (2 calls/emails/texts).
🕑 \3. What if my flight is delayed?
a) Right to care
If your departure is delayed:
- 2 + hours for short flights,
- 3 + hours for medium/long EU flights,
- 4 + hours for longer flights — airlines must offer care (meals, drinks, communications).
b) Right to refund
If delay at departure exceeds 5 hours, you can:
- Cancel your trip and receive a full refund for unused parts, plus return if applicable.
c) Compensation
If you arrive at your final destination with 3 + hours delay, you may be entitled to compensation (unless due to
extraordinary circumstances).
💰 \4. How much is compensation?
Under current EU Regulation 261/2004 (note: future rules may change pending EU updates):
- €250 — short flights (up to 1 500 km),
- €400 — medium flights (1 500–3 500 km),
- €600 — long flights (over 3 500 km).
Compensation may be reduced by 50% in some re-routing scenarios under the official rules.
💳 \5. What's the difference between a refund and compensation?
- Refund: reimbursement of money you paid for unused parts of your ticket.
- Compensation: an additional payment for inconvenience when your journey is significantly disrupted.
You can often claim both (refund and compensation) when eligible.
🧳 \6. Does this cover baggage issues?
Lost, delayed or damaged baggage is not covered by EU 261 — instead, the Montreal Convention applies to compensation for
luggage problems.
🧑⚖️ \7. What if the airline refuses to comply?
You can:
- Contact the airline first in writing (keep documentation),
- Contact your national enforcement body (NEB) in the relevant EU country,
- Seek help from the European Consumer Centre.
✈️ \8. What about flights outside the EU?
- EU rights apply to flights arriving into the EU on EU carriers.
- Non-EU airlines flying into the EU only must comply on arrivals — not outbound from a non-EU origin.
🕐 \9. Are there time limits for claiming?
There is no EU-wide limit for filing claims — it depends on national law in each Member State (often 2–5 years).