Now that is interesting..

Is there a minimum number of hours before your allowed to claim compensation, or is it overnight delays and cancellations?

Rohan, I’ll check, but I would imagine it’s overnight delays and cancellations, because of the increasing numbers of delays and cancellations, and the number of people having to sleep on airport floors.

I highly recommend anyone flying to, from or through EU to have on them a print out of the EU regulations.

It is easier to get what you’re entitled to when you have the official regs in writing with you.

Rohan - compensation depends on the length of delay and also where you are going (including flight distance).

The factsheet is more helpful than the link in the blog entry, but still not as good as a previous leaflet (which I haven’t been able to find online today).

Alternatively, here is the link to the regulations

For flights under 1500km a 2+ hour delay. 1500+ km for intra-EU or 1500-3000km otherwise a 3+ hour delay. Else 4+ hour delay.

Compensation starts with meals & refreshments, plus 2 free ph calls faxes or emails.

Once delay is until next day (or beyond), then additionally hotel accommodation and transport between airport and hotel.

Once delay is 5 hours then additionally passenger can choose between full refund of that part of ticket or an immediate return flight to origin.

The rules apply to EU airlines (except for flights that do not include departure or arrival in EU), as well as non-EU airlines for flights departing from EU.

Just only the Eu Airline? How about the leading Airline in the world? They suppose to do the same way as I think.

Global, thanks for the additional information

Ninetysec, this is an EU directive so only applies to flights within the European Union as far as I am aware.

Thanks for the information, this is extremely useful to know.

Why are the airlines hiding this information from holidaymakers?

Good question Richie.

I’ve shown the poster to a few people and none of them have seen it in airports.

Very useful!!!

Thanks. Now I know why I read your blog often Darren.

No problem.

It’s April’s most read blog post!

Airlines such as Ryanair have been dodging the denied boarding regulations by using loopholes such as the “extraordinary circumstances” exception, arguing that some unexpected event outside their control caused the delay. The EU is closing the loophole, apparently this will be done in a few months.

To be blunt, there is only one way to deal with an airline such as Ryanair — send them a single e-mail demanding that they pay-up by a date, say 10 working days in the future. Note in the e-mail that absent payment you will file a claim with a small claims court and that after that any compensation will have to include expenses relating to the claim (including some wasted time and filing fees) and on the 11th day file the claim without further correspondence, othe than a “I told you I was serious” note. With luck in the UK or Ireland you will get a judge who flew Ryanair a few times . . .

Actually, even that gobshite O’Leary is nervous of a test case on what “extraordinary circumstances” means, so they will settle than try to argue. Just insist that a sworn, notarised statement of the nature of the extraordinary circumstances be filed as well with the court, or testimony offered, if they try that argument.

You do need to be aware that the sort of things that turn airports into hellholes, for example massive snow-storms are probably “extraordinary circumstances.” The problem is with airlines trying to push “extraordinary circumstances” to be predictable events, such as routine maintenance issues, failure to schedule staff, staff time outs because of delays or just plain canceling the flight because they did not have enough passengers (Ryanairs favorite.) The regulations apply to flights in the EU and I think originating or terminating in the EU. The airlines are supposed to tell you your rights.

My wife and 3 children checked in with Ryan Air in Stansted - and were denied boarding.
Arriving in the check-in queue 1 hr 45 min before departure, had to wait for the slowest moving queue before spending long time in security queue ( where they were not allowed fasttrack, although asking 2 different security guards, who insisted there was enough time). Then the shoes scan, where my wife had to help them with their tiny shoes ( they were randomly selected for this,and my wigfe told they were late - and then rushing as fast as poss with small children to the gate.
Monitor displayed “last call”, but they were denied boarding - also denied alternative flight or money back.
She reports that the plane was still there and had staff been a little helpfull they should be able to board.
Instead they managed to buy tickets for Easyjet, leaving 5 hours later.
Have they got any rights?
I am hoping for the difference between the airfares or a refund and the Euro250 compensation.
As they were in the check in queue 1 hr 45 min before departure, Ryan Air staff was not sufficient to get passengers through efficient enough and security staff not allowing them to fast track - both part could have done better.
Have they got a case, and how to go about it?
Please help us if anybody can

Thanks, seemes be quite useful for us just now (3+ delay, internal EU 1500+).

Recently, XL cancelled my flight from Fuerteventura to Manchester and put me on another carrier into the East Midlands and bused us to Manchester. Overall they did a good job but for the obvious inconvenience I arrived in Manchester a little over an hour later than sheduled. They offered £25.0 in compensation. Under the EU directives would you say that was about right?
Thanks,
Chris

Please, advice if it is a valid reason for BA to refuse my claim - “Your claim for compensation has been refused because BA flight .. was cancelled due to aircraft damage which was not caused by British Airways which prevented the aircraft operating as scheduled. Under EU legislation, British Airways is not liable for a compensation payment in this situation.”

My flight from Manchester to London LHR was delayed in MAN due to operational reasons thus causing me to miss my connection to Buenos Aires. BA provided accomodation for the night and put us on the next flight 24 hrs later. I had to change planes in Sao Paulo and fly on to Buenos Aires in Ecomomy not Premium Economy. All this caused me the loss of two hotel nights,loss of fare difference and two taxi transfers. BA say they are not liable and to contact my travel insurance, they say they are not liable also. Do I have a claim from British Airways? Could anyone please offer advice?

Anyone know how to file for compensation due per the EU reg. Olympic Airlines posts no info on their website about how to request it. Furthermore, they do not respond to written requests for information, either via email or fax.
any ideas? thx

@ all of you.

If you have not being given advice about the EU directive or have not had a response from the airline despite contacting them at least twice then I would contact the European Commission for Transport.

Telephone : 00 800 678 910 11

Don’t let the airlines get away with it!!

A TV screen at Naples informed of the directive until the check in desk opened. As flight was to be over three hours late asked for a copy. Reply: it will be given to you at the boarding gate. At boarding gate was informed that I should have asked at check in. Finally dumped ar Gatwick after last train home had left. Rang the number on your site to ask for leaflet. Told they had not got them and in any case I am not entitled to compensation.