Flight rights for passengers

In the event of a flight cancellation (a cancellation by the passenger is not a cancellation) or a flight cancellation, it is possible to assert the following claims:

• Refund of the flight ticket
• Return flight to the first point of departure at the earliest possible time
• alternative transport to the destination under comparable conditions at the earliest possible time
• alternative transport to the destination under comparable conditions at a later date (depending on the passenger’s preference, subject to available seats)

If your flight is delayed, you may be entitled to assistance such as free meals and refreshments, as well as access to communications. If you do not receive any assistance and you incur expenses, you should keep the invoices and receipts and then submit them to the airline for reimbursement.

The provision of additional assistance such as hotel accommodation and transfer between the airport and the hotel in the event of departure delays depends on the individual circumstances and must be proportionate to the waiting time.

In some cases, you may also be entitled to compensation . This depends on the duration of the delay and the flight route. However, the airline must always be responsible for the delay.

Delay longer than 3 hours:

If you reach your destination with a delay of three hours or more, you are entitled to compensation, unless the delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances.

Delay longer than 5 hours:

If your flight is delayed by at least five hours at the time of departure, the airline may have to refund the price of your ticket and pay compensation.

Airline offers alternative flight

Depending on the arrival time of the alternative flight and the distance, the compensation may be reduced by half if the airline offers an alternative.

If the delay is longer than 5 hours and you miss a connecting flight, you will receive compensation and a return flight to the airport of departure at the earliest possible time.

Please note:

If you miss your connecting flight due to security check delays or non-observance of the boarding time at the transfer airport, you will not be entitled to compensation.

If your flight is overbooked, you may be entitled to assistance, such as free meals and refreshments, as well as access to communications. If you are not offered assistance and you have paid for your meals, refreshments or other expenses out of pocket, you should be reimbursed by the airline if they were necessary, reasonable and justifiable. It is advisable to keep all receipts to document this.

The provision of additional assistance such as hotel accommodation and transfer between the airport and the hotel in the event of departure delays depends on the individual circumstances and must be proportionate to the waiting time.

You can find out more about “flight overbooked” in our related article.

In some cases, you may also be entitled to compensation . This depends on the duration of the delay and the flight route. However, the airline must always be responsible for the delay.

Delay longer than 3 hours:

If you reach your destination with a delay of three hours or more, you are entitled to compensation, unless the delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances.

Delay longer than 5 hours:

If your flight is delayed by at least five hours at the time of departure, the airline may have to refund the price of your ticket and pay compensation.

Airline offers alternative flight

Depending on the arrival time of the alternative flight and the distance, the compensation may be reduced by half if the airline offers an alternative.

Baggage is considered “late” if it cannot be handed over to you after the flight but is handed over to you before the 21st day after landing.

If your checked baggage arrived “late”, the airline will be liable and you will be entitled to compensation up to an amount of approximately 1385 euros. If two passengers share a suitcase, the maximum liability limit applies to both up to approx. 1,600 euros.

In the event of a delay in luggage, the compensation will amount to a maximum of approximately 1,385 euros per person, regardless of the number of pieces of luggage. If two passengers share a suitcase, the maximum liability for both applies up to approx. 1.600 Euro

If you have to make replacement purchases (e.g. underwear, hygiene products, clothing) in the course of the baggage delay, you must be reimbursed for the costs of replacement purchases up to the above-mentioned amount.

Therefore, keep the invoices for the replacement purchases so that you can then submit them to the airline.

You should report the loss of your baggage by the airline (even if it is just stuck on the way or arrives late) as soon as possible. After landing, it is best to report directly to the Lost & Found counter at the airport or directly to the airline counter. Show the baggage sticker that was affixed to your boarding pass at check-in. In addition, we recommend that you report the loss to the airline’s website.

Baggage is only officially considered lost after 21 days after landing and thus disappearance.

If your checked baggage has been lost, the airline will be liable and you will be entitled to compensation.

In the event of baggage delay, baggage damage or loss of baggage, the compensation amounts to a maximum of about 1,385 euros per person, regardless of the number of pieces of luggage. If two passengers share a suitcase, the maximum liability for both applies up to approx. 1.600 Euro

In the event of loss of baggage, the cost of replacement purchases will be reimbursed and a replacement will be offered for the current value of the suitcase and its contents.

If you make replacement purchases for the lost baggage, keep the invoices. You can then submit these invoices to the airline for payment.

You should report the loss of your baggage by the airline as soon as possible. After landing, it is best to report directly to the Lost & Found counter at the airport or directly to the airline counter. Show the baggage sticker that was affixed to your boarding pass at check-in. In addition, we recommend that you report the loss to the airline’s website.

If your checked baggage has been damaged by the airline, the airline is liable and you are entitled to compensation.

In the event of damage to luggage, the compensation amounts to a maximum of approximately 1,385 euros per person, regardless of the number of pieces of luggage.

The damage to your baggage caused by the airline must be reported as soon as possible. It is best to document the damage with photos and inform the airline about the problem. Most airlines offer online forms for this purpose.

Below you will find the link to the complaint forms of the main airlines: