What rights do I have if my flight has been canceled?
February 19, 2024 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Ralf Schlittmaier
Dear Travel Law Attorney,
My name is Dietrich Stolzheim and I recently booked a flight to visit my family in another country. Unfortunately, my flight was canceled at short notice, and now I am faced with the question of what rights I have in this situation.
The situation is as follows: I have already paid for my flight and have also taken time off work to visit my family. Now I have been informed that my flight has been canceled and I cannot travel as planned. This has not only caused frustration, but also financial losses and organizational difficulties.
My concerns are varied: Firstly, I am wondering if I am entitled to compensation since I have already paid for my flight. Furthermore, I am questioning whether the airline is obligated to offer me alternative transportation or reimburse me for rebooking costs. I am also interested in whether I have the right to food and accommodation if I am stranded due to the flight cancellation.
For these reasons, I am reaching out to you to find out what rights I have when my flight is canceled. I would like to know what steps I can take to receive appropriate compensation and assistance from the airline. Are there possible solutions to improve my situation and enforce my rights?
Thank you in advance for your support and guidance.
Sincerely,
Dietrich Stolzheim
Dear Mr. Stolzheim,
Thank you for your trust and your inquiry regarding your rights in case of a flight cancellation. I am sorry to hear that you are facing this unpleasant situation and that your travel plans have been disrupted. In such cases, it is important that you know your rights as a passenger and how to enforce them.
First of all, it is important to know that as a passenger, you have various rights in case of a flight cancellation. These rights are defined in the European Passenger Rights Regulation, also known as EU Regulation 261/2004. According to this regulation, passengers are entitled to various forms of compensation and assistance in case of a flight cancellation.
If your flight has been cancelled, the airline is obligated to either offer you an alternative transportation or refund the ticket price. If you opt for alternative transportation, the airline must also reimburse you for any potential rebooking costs. If no alternative transportation can be offered, you are entitled to compensation of up to 600 euros, depending on the flight distance and the duration of the delay.
Furthermore, the airline is required to provide you with food and accommodation if you are stranded due to the flight cancellation. This especially applies if the delay lasts for several hours and you have to wait at the airport. You have the right to receive adequate support to cover your basic needs until you can continue your journey.
To enforce your rights and receive appropriate compensation and assistance from the airline, I recommend contacting the airline directly and asserting your claims. If the airline does not comply with your demands, you can contact a consumer advisory service or a travel law attorney like myself for legal assistance and potentially take further steps.
I hope this information is helpful to you and that you can successfully enforce your rights. If you have any further questions or need legal assistance, I am at your disposal.
Best regards,
Ralf Schlittmaier
