If you want to travel in the European Union by plane you can turn to several airlines that generally offer very cheap tickets. This is a direct consequence of the liberalisation of aviation in the nineties. However, this liberalisation came along with several excrescences, which the European Union clamped down on. Now, each airplane passenger in the European Union has rights that protect him against the unfairness of airlines.
More choice for less money
Those who wanted to travel by plane in the past generally had no other choice than turning to the national airline. This resulted in expensive tickets. The European Union changed this by liberalising aviation. Another consequence is that the number of destinations passengers can choose from in the European Union has more or less doubled.
Not all roses
There were also several disadvantages to this liberalisation. For instance, passengers were sometimes refused because the flight was overbooked or flights were cancelled without passengers knowing why. This changed in 2006. Since this time, several rights protect airline passengers in the European Union against the arbitrariness of airlines. All flights that take off or land in the European Union that are provided by a European airline come under this regulation.
Passenger rights in the event of cancellation, denied boarding and long-term delay
The European regulation distinguishes between cancellation, denied boarding and long-term delay.
Cancellation
In the event of cancellation, you have the right to compensation unless the airline has informed you that the flight has been cancelled up to 14 days before departure. You can also not demand financial compensation if the cancellation is a result of force majeure.
Denied boarding
Denied boarding means that you are not allowed to enter the plane, for instance, because the airline has sold more tickets than it has seats. In this case, the airline is obliged to look for people who voluntarily give up their flight in exchange for certain benefits. You also have a right to compensation between 125 and 600 euro, depending on the flight distance and the delay experienced in the event of overbooking. It is also important to know that you can choose on the spot between full reimbursement of your ticket, flying back to your point of departure or taking a similar flight.
Long-term delay
If the delay is longer than five hours and you decide to no longer take the flight in question, the airline is obliged to reimburse your ticket. Just like with denied boarding, you can choose on the spot between full reimbursement of your ticket, flying back to your point of departure or taking a similar flight.
Depending on the circumstances, you have a right to assistance in the case of cancellation, denied boarding and long-term delay. In practice, this means that the airline has to offer you a drink and a meal, plus you have a right to two free e-mail messages or telephone calls. If you need a place to stay, the airline is obliged to provide one. Transport to this accommodation is also at the airline’s expense.
Other airline passenger rights in a nutshell
Luggage
In the event of damage, late delivery or lost luggage, you have a right to financial compensation amounting to 1,220 euro. Do not forget that you have just one week in the event of damage and 21 days in case of delay.
Limited mobility
Disabled passengers and passengers with limited mobility are protected against discrimination. On certain conditions, they can get assistance before, during and after their flight in all European Union airports.
Airline identity
You must be informed about the identity of the airline carrying out your flight in advance. Airlines that are considered unsafe are limited or banned in the European Union.
Enforcing your rights
In case of an irregularity, the airline is obliged to inform you on the spot about your exact passenger rights. If you determine a violation, you can file a complaint to the airline in question. If your complaint has no outcome, it is best to appeal to the national surveillant of the member state where your flight has landed.
Want to know more about your passenger rights when travelling by air?