What rights do I have if my flight is canceled?
January 22, 2023 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Fred Kock
Dear travel law attorney,
My name is Fanni Schlüter and I have a question regarding my rights when my flight is cancelled. I recently booked a flight for a holiday trip. Unfortunately, I have now been informed that my flight has been cancelled. I am now faced with the question of how to proceed and what rights I have in this situation.
The current situation is that my booked flight has been cancelled and I can no longer travel as planned. This poses several problems for me, as I have already taken time off work and booked accommodations that may not be cancellable. Additionally, I have paid a lot of money for the flight and would like to have it refunded if I am unable to take the flight.
My concerns are therefore that I will not be able to go on my holiday, suffer financial losses, and do not know the best course of action in this situation. Therefore, I would like to know from you what rights I have as a passenger when my flight is cancelled and what options are available to get my money back or be otherwise compensated.
I hope you can assist me in this matter and provide possible solutions. Thank you in advance for your support.
Sincerely,
Fanni Schlüter
Dear Mrs. Schlüter,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding your rights when your flight is canceled. I am sorry to hear that you are facing this unpleasant situation and may not be able to start your vacation. In such cases, it is important that you are informed about your rights as a passenger and know what steps you can take to receive appropriate compensation.
If your flight is canceled, you have certain rights as a passenger according to EU Regulation 261/2004. Firstly, the airline has the obligation to inform you about the cancellation of the flight and offer you alternative flight options. If this is not possible, you are entitled to a refund of the ticket price or alternative transportation to your destination.
Furthermore, under certain circumstances, you may also be entitled to compensation, depending on the flight distance and the duration of the delay. This compensation can amount to up to 600 euros, depending on how far your destination is and how long the delay is.
In your case, since you have already taken time off and booked accommodations that may not be cancelable, you should immediately contact the airline and explain your situation. Inquire about possible compensation and clarify if the airline can assist you in rebooking on another flight.
If the airline does not offer you a satisfactory solution or does not respect your rights, you can contact a consumer advisory service or a travel law attorney like myself to assert your claims and, if necessary, take legal action.
I hope this information helps you and supports you in your situation. If you have any further questions or need assistance, I am at your disposal.
Best regards,
Fred Kock
