Navigating Flight Delays and Cancellations: Your Guide to EU Passenger Rights
Hello everyone! I've noticed that many of you back in Vietnam might not be fully aware of your rights regarding compensation for flight disruptions within the EU. Specifically, when are you entitled to compensation, and how much can you expect to receive? I'm writing this to share some valuable information, and rest assured, reclaiming your money doesn't have to be complicated or time-consuming.
My Personal Experience: A Successful Claim
Just recently, on August 23rd, I flew from Germany to Vietnam with a layover in France. Unfortunately, my connecting flight from France to Vietnam was delayed by a significant 23 hours. Following this, on September 1st, I submitted a complaint through Air France's website. To my pleasant surprise, by September 4th, I had received 600€ in compensation. So, yes, you can indeed receive compensation, and it can be in any currency!
To help you understand your own situation, here are some general rules based on EU regulations. You can check if your travel experience falls under these guidelines.
EU Regulation EC 261/2004: Your Rights for Flight Delays and Cancellations in the EU ✈️🇪🇺
1. When You're Entitled to Assistance (Meals, Hotel, Taxi, Calls)
Airlines are obligated to provide you with meals, refreshments, accommodation if necessary, ground transportation, and the ability to make phone calls when your flight is delayed by:
- ≥ 2 hours for short-haul flights (≤ 1,500 km)
- ≥ 3 hours for medium-haul flights (1,500 – 3,500 km)
- ≥ 4 hours for long-haul flights (> 3,500 km, such as routes from the EU to Vietnam)
2. When You Can Claim a Ticket Refund
If your flight is cancelled or delayed by 5 hours or more, you have the right to choose between:
- A full refund of your ticket
- Or re-routing to another flight
3. When You Can Claim Cash Compensation
The amount of compensation you can receive depends on the flight distance and the extent of the delay or cancellation:
- 250€ for flights ≤ 1,500 km, delayed by 3 hours or more
- 400€ for flights between 1,500 – 3,500 km, delayed by 3 hours or more
- 600€ for flights > 3,500 km (such as flights from the EU to Vietnam), delayed by 4 hours or more
Important Note: These compensation rules do not apply if the airline can prove the disruption was due to extraordinary circumstances, such as severe weather, air traffic control strikes, or security issues.
4. In Case of Flight Cancellation
When your flight is cancelled, you have the choice to:
- Receive a refund for your ticket, or
- Be re-routed to an alternative flight, either with the same airline or a partner airline
If you are notified of the cancellation less than 14 days before your scheduled departure, you may also be eligible for compensation ranging from 250€ to 600€, similar to the amounts mentioned above.
Credit: Phạm Hà Ni Na
