Your rights as an air passenger
Delays or cancellations? These are your rights
Delays, cancellations and unexpected extra expenses. When travelling, obstacles can quickly arise, and therefore, knowledge about your rights is fundamental. Refundmore has made it easy for you to get to know your rights.
You are able to claim compensation for flight disruptions up to three years back in time, in some countries longer, ten years in Sweden for instance (However, Swedish law stipulates an initial contact with the airline within two months after the departure date).
If you are flying from and between EU countries, you may be entitled to compensation. The monetary size of the compensation depends on the flight distance. You may also be entitled to compensation, if you fly from a state outside the EU to an airport within the EU, as long as the air carrier is registered as an EU airline.
In the following, you will be introduced to what makes you eligible for compensation, and how much you may be entitled to:
Reason | Delayed arrival time | Flight distance under 1,500 km | Flight distance 1,501 - 3,500 km | Flight distance more than 3,500 between EU countries | Flights over 3,500 km to/from EU countries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cancelled* | 2 - 3 hours | 250 € | 200 € | 200 € | 300 € |
Cancelled / Delayed | 3 - 4 hours | 250 € | 400 € | 400 € | 300 € |
Cancelled / Delayed | More than 4 hours** | 250 € | 400 € | 400 € | 600 € |
Overbooked | 250 € | 400 € | 400 € | 600 € |
* If cancellation is less than 7 days before the planned departure.
** If cancelled between 14-7 days before the planned departure.
You also have the right to have expenses relating to food and drinks as well as the cost of some telephone calls refunded. If the cancellation causes an overnight stay, you have the right to a paid hotel for the night. Please notice that the use of these rights depends on the delay's duration.
But when can I get my extra expenses covered? Should I sleep at the airport when the airline cancels my overnight flight? And how do I get to my destination the quickest? As a passenger, you are covered by your EU rights. To know what you may be entitled to and your rights, you must understand the law regarding the different scenarios you can encounter at the airport. Click the links below to read more about your rights.