Disorderly Airport Scene During Easter Holidays 2025: Entitled Passengers Exercising Their Rights
In the realm of air travel, passengers have certain rights and entitlements that are worth knowing. Here's a breakdown of these rights, focusing on flight compensation and transit requirements within Europe.
When it comes to flight cancellations, airlines have several options: they can offer a replacement flight at a later time, issue a refund of the ticket price, or make a compensation payment. However, airlines often cite 'extraordinary circumstances' like bad weather or technical problems to avoid paying compensation. It's important to note that not all reasons are recognised as extraordinary.
If a flight is delayed by more than three hours, passengers on short-haul flights are entitled to compensation of €250. For medium-haul flights, passengers can claim up to €400, and for long-haul flights, it's €600. These compensation amounts apply to passengers travelling under EU Regulation 261/2004, which protects passengers flying within the European Union (EU).
Passengers have rights to care as well, such as meals, refreshments, and accommodation depending on the delay length. If the delay or cancellation causes a wait of more than a night, passengers may be provided with a hotel room. In addition, passengers can make two free phone calls.
If a flight is cancelled, passengers are entitled to a full refund of the ticket price or a free rebooking, depending on their preference. This also applies if a passenger has booked a flight using a voucher received for a cancelled flight, and that flight is cancelled again. In such cases, the airline must provide a full refund of the ticket price in cash, bank transfer, or check.
It's crucial to keep all relevant documents such as booking confirmations, receipts for food or accommodation, and photos of airport display boards showing the flight status to successfully enforce passenger rights. Claims can be made up to three years after the incident, except in extraordinary circumstances like severe weather.
Transiting through a British airport requires no ETA if there's no intention to leave the international transit area. However, since early April, an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is required for entry into the UK, costing £16 (around 19 euros). For transit through England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, an ETA is also required.
For tourist stays of up to three months within the EU and some other countries such as Switzerland, Norway, or Iceland, a personal ID card is usually sufficient. If you book your trip through a travel portal, the portal operator must inform you if a transit visa is required for a journey with a layover.
The German Ministry of Justice has set up an online portal for digital claims regarding passenger rights as part of a pilot project. Passengers can check if they have a claim for compensation and file a lawsuit with the competent local court using the My Justice Inbox service. Currently, the courts in Bremen, Düsseldorf, Erding, Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg, Königs Wusterhausen, and Nürtingen are participating.
In conclusion, being informed about your passenger rights can help ensure a smoother travel experience. Whether it's flight compensation, transit requirements, or care during delays, knowing your rights can make a significant difference in your journey.
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