Air Passenger Rights

In the UK and EU, air passenger rights are safeguarded by several regulations. Within the European Union (EU), Regulation EC 261/2004 outlines the entitlements of air travelers and lays down provisions for compensation and aid when facing flight delays, cancellations, or denied boarding because of overbooking.

Air Passenger Rights in UK and EU
You Should Know

Both the UK and EU have regulations safeguarding air passenger rights. Within the European Union (EU), Regulation EC 261/2004 delineates air passenger entitlements and outlines compensation and assistance protocols for instances such as flight delays, cancellations, and denied boarding due to overbooking.

In the UK, following its exit from the EU, equivalent air passenger rights are governed by domestic regulations. These include the Air Passenger Rights (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, which preserved numerous aspects of EU Regulation 261/2004 in UK legislation, ensuring that passengers in the UK retain comparable protections.

Hence, both in the UK and the EU, regulations are in place to safeguard air passenger rights, offering compensation and support to travelers experiencing flight delays, cancellations, or overbooking.

When do the regulations in the UK and Europe, which guarantee the protection of my air passenger rights, come into effect?

Your air passenger rights are protected by both European and British regulations exclusively when:

Your flight was operated by a European airline

OR

Your flight was operated by a non-European airline BUT you departed from the UK or an EU country

EC 261 Compensation for Disrupted Flights

Many travelers are unaware that in numerous cases, airlines bear legal and financial responsibility for flight problems, rather than the passenger.

Depending on the specifics of your flight, its circumstances, and your final destination, being aware of passenger rights and pursuing EU airline compensation can result in reimbursements of up to £520/€600 per person.

For assistance with making an EU 261 claim, our team of legal experts can help clarify the details and navigate through any legal terminology.

Denied boarding

Flight cancellation

Long delay of flights (three or more hours)

The compensation passengers receive varies based on several factors, such as the distance traveled and the duration of the delay in reaching the final destination.

EU Airline Compensation – Which Flights are Covered by EC 261?

Most European flights are included, along with some international flights. If your flight originates from an EU airport, it’s covered. If your departure is from elsewhere but your destination is within the EU, coverage depends on the airline—if it’s a European carrier, you’re covered.

If you’re confused, here’s a simple chart to help:

Disrupted flights outside the EU might qualify under EC 261 if they connect to a covered flight with the same carrier and are part of the same flight reservation (under one booking reference number). The simplest method to determine your coverage is by using the Jet Delayed eligibility check.

Your Rights in Case of Flight Delays

1. Right to Information: If your flight is delayed, the airline must provide you with clear and timely information about the delay, including its cause and estimated duration.

2. Right to Care: In case of a significant delay, the airline is usually required to offer you appropriate assistance, which may include meals, refreshments, accommodation, and transportation between the airport and the accommodation.

3. Right to Compensation: Depending on the length of the delay and the distance of the flight, you may be entitled to financial compensation for the inconvenience caused.