Your Guide to EU261 Compensation

Has your flight been delayed, canceled, or overbooked? If so, you might be entitled to compensation under the (EC) No 261/2004 Regulation—commonly known as the EU261 Regulation or Air Passenger Rights Regulation. This EU directive sets the standard rules for compensating and assisting passengers when their flights are disrupted.

But what exactly does this regulation cover, and how do you know if you're eligible for compensation? Let's break it down.

What Flights Are Covered?

The EU261 Regulation applies to all passengers, regardless of their residency or citizenship, as long as their flight meets one of the following criteria:

• The flight departed from the EU/EEA and was operated by any airline (e.g., Amsterdam to New York operated by Delta Airlines).
• The flight departed from outside the EU/EEA and was operated by an EU airline (e.g., Chicago to Frankfurt operated by Lufthansa).

To be eligible, you must have a valid, confirmed reservation and be present for check-in at least 45 minutes before departure (unless your airline specifies a different time).

How Much Compensation Can You Get?

The compensation amounts under EU261 are fixed and based solely on the flight distance:

• €250 per passenger for flights under 1,500 km
• €400 per passenger for flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km
• €600 per passenger for flights over 3,500 km

The amount you're entitled to doesn't change based on the ticket price, making it a straightforward process for travelers to know what they might receive.

When Are You Entitled to Compensation?

Four main events could make you eligible for EU261 compensation:

1. Delayed Flights
2. Canceled Flights
3. Missed Connections
4. Denied Boarding

Let's dive into each scenario.

Delayed Flights

To qualify for compensation due to a delay, your flight must arrive at its final destination with a delay of more than three hours. It's important to note that the delay is calculated at the arrival time, not when the plane touches down.

Things can get tricky here: Suppose you're flying from Sofia to Berlin, and your flight is delayed by 3.5 hours. However, it managed to make up time in the air and arrived in Berlin with a delay of just 2 hours and 59 minutes. Unfortunately, even though the flight departed late, you wouldn’t be eligible for compensation because the delay upon arrival was under three hours.

On the flip side, imagine your flight departs with just a 2-hour delay, but due to air traffic control or other issues, it arrives at the destination 3 hours and 1 minute late. In this case, you would be entitled to compensation, as it’s the arrival time that counts. Airlines might argue that air traffic control delays are beyond their control, but if the initial delay was caused by the airline, they could still be held responsible.

Canceled Flights

Flight cancellations can happen at any time—sometimes right at the airport, or even weeks or months in advance. A schedule change or airport change could also be considered a cancellation. The key factor is when and how you were informed.

According to EU261, airlines must notify you of a cancellation at least 14 days before departure. If they fail to do so, you may be entitled to compensation. However, there are exceptions: if the cancellation was due to extraordinary circumstances like natural disasters or security threats, the airline may not be required to compensate you.

Regardless of the reason, the airline must offer you an alternative flight to the same destination at the earliest opportunity or a full refund. The choice is yours.

Missed Connections

Missed connections are a bit more complex. To be eligible for compensation, your flights must be part of the same booking (i.e., they have the same reservation reference). For example, if you booked a flight through a travel agency and it involves two different airlines under separate bookings, you wouldn’t be covered by EU261 if you missed the connection.

However, if both flights are under the same booking, and a delay on the first leg causes you to miss your connecting flight, the airline must provide an alternative route. If this rerouting leads to an arrival delay of over three hours, you could be entitled to compensation.

Denied Boarding

Denied boarding happens more often than you might think, especially due to overbooking. Airlines sometimes sell more tickets than there are seats available, banking on the possibility that some passengers won't show up. But if everyone does, some passengers might be denied boarding, and that’s where EU261 steps in.

If you're denied boarding due to overbooking, you’re entitled to compensation of up to €600. However, if the denial was due to reasons like being late for boarding or issues with your travel documents, you wouldn’t be eligible for compensation.

Conclusion

As I wrap up this guide, I find myself dealing with a two-hour delay on my flight. It’s a reminder of how important it is to be informed about your rights as a passenger. While this delay might not qualify for compensation, knowing what to expect and how to handle these situations can make all the difference.

Whether you're facing a delay, a cancellation, or any other disruption, understanding your rights empowers you to take control of your travel experience. At Langround, we're here to help you navigate these challenges and ensure you get the compensation you deserve.