What can I do if my flight is canceled?
December 11, 2023 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Ralf Schlittmaier
Dear travel law attorney,
My name is Paula Winterstein and I have a question regarding my flight journey. I recently booked a flight for my vacation, however, I was informed shortly before the scheduled departure that my flight was cancelled. This has now presented me with a major challenge, as I need to completely reorganize my travel plans and I am also facing financial impact.
I am currently unsure of what rights I have in this situation and how I should proceed. I am worried that I may not find an alternative travel option in time or that I may be left with the financial burden of the costs incurred due to the flight cancellation.
Could you please explain to me what steps I should take to receive compensation for the cancelled flight? Are there specific laws or regulations that protect my rights as a passenger? How can I best proceed to get my money back or find an alternative travel option?
Thank you in advance for your help and advice on this matter.
Sincerely,
Paula Winterstein
Dear Mrs. Winterstein,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding your cancelled flight. I am sorry to hear that you are facing this unexpected challenge. In such cases, it is important that you know your rights as a passenger and understand how to proceed in order to receive compensation or an alternative travel option.
First and foremost, it is important to know that as a passenger, you have certain rights under the EU Air Passenger Rights Regulation (Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004). This regulation governs the rights of air passengers in case of flight cancellations, delays, or denied boarding. In the event of a flight cancellation, you are usually entitled to compensation if the airline is responsible for the cancellation and did not inform you in a timely manner.
Therefore, if you were informed shortly before your scheduled departure that your flight was cancelled, you should first contact the airline and inquire about an alternative flight connection. Often, airlines offer rebooking on other flights or even a refund of the ticket price in such cases. If the airline does not offer a satisfactory solution or refuses to pay compensation, you can take legal action.
In such a case, I recommend contacting a specialized attorney in travel law to assert your claims. An experienced attorney can help you obtain appropriate compensation and, if necessary, take legal action against the airline. Often, attorneys can also reach an out-of-court settlement with the airline, thus avoiding a lengthy legal dispute.
In summary, it is important that you know your rights as a passenger and take action in case of a flight cancellation to receive compensation or an alternative travel option. Do not hesitate to seek professional help to assert your claims.
I hope this information is helpful to you and wish you success in asserting your rights as a passenger.
Sincerely,
Ralf Schlittmaier, Attorney specializing in travel law
... Are you also interested in this question?