Airline Passengers Rights in Europe
Do you know your rights as an airline passenger when traveling to Europe? We all would like to think nothing ever goes wrong when traveling, we would be mistaken.
I am not advocating that you treat the customer service people rudely, this just won't help the situation.
But knowing what they should be doing for you according to the law can be empowering.
Rights of people with reduced mobility The airline cannot refuse your reservation.
exceptions: For safety reasons they may require that another person accompany you depending on the plane size and type of aircraft you will be traveling on.
They need to notify you within 5 business days of their refusal in writing and give written reasons for the refusal.
Giving you the opportunity to comply with the safety regulation.
Sometimes the size of the aircraft makes it impossible to access the aircraft safely.
Persons with disabilities are entitled to assistance with boarding and exiting the plane at no additional costs.
There is also no charge for the transport of your wheelchair or your guide dog if you are blind.
Denied boarding When this happens the air carrier will first call for volunteers to surrender their reservation in exchange for certain benefits.
Then they can deny boarding other passengers.
They must compensate them.
Priority of boarding must be given to people with disabilities and anyone traveling with them.
The air carrier is expected to reasonably determine this in a timely fashion.
Compensation Flight cancellation is never part of the plan, when it happens passengers are entitled to the following: * your cost of the ticket within seven days or a return flight to where you started from or re-routing to where you are going.
* things that the airline should provide for you include two free telephone calls, telex or fax messages, or emails, refreshments, meals, a hotel room * transportation to and from the airport to your hotel Compensation totaling: EUR 250 for all flights 1500 kilometres or less; EUR 400 for all intra-community flights of more than 1500 and less than 3500 kilometres; EUR 600 for all other flights; Delays It happens, and you need to know your options: There is a three tiered system in place and here is what the airline is required to do.
A long delay considered to be more than two hours but, less than five hours depending on the length of the flight.
The airline is expected to offer free meal, refreshments and two free phone calls, fax or emails.
When the delay is more than five hours the airline is expected to offer a reimbursement of the ticket and return you to your first point of departure.
If the flight is scheduled for the next day the airline is required to get you a hotel and give you transportation to and from the airport.
If you want to continue with your journey.
Knowing your rights will help in any situation.
I am not advocating that you treat the customer service people rudely, this just won't help the situation.
But knowing what they should be doing for you according to the law can be empowering.
Rights of people with reduced mobility The airline cannot refuse your reservation.
exceptions: For safety reasons they may require that another person accompany you depending on the plane size and type of aircraft you will be traveling on.
They need to notify you within 5 business days of their refusal in writing and give written reasons for the refusal.
Giving you the opportunity to comply with the safety regulation.
Sometimes the size of the aircraft makes it impossible to access the aircraft safely.
Persons with disabilities are entitled to assistance with boarding and exiting the plane at no additional costs.
There is also no charge for the transport of your wheelchair or your guide dog if you are blind.
Denied boarding When this happens the air carrier will first call for volunteers to surrender their reservation in exchange for certain benefits.
Then they can deny boarding other passengers.
They must compensate them.
Priority of boarding must be given to people with disabilities and anyone traveling with them.
The air carrier is expected to reasonably determine this in a timely fashion.
Compensation Flight cancellation is never part of the plan, when it happens passengers are entitled to the following: * your cost of the ticket within seven days or a return flight to where you started from or re-routing to where you are going.
* things that the airline should provide for you include two free telephone calls, telex or fax messages, or emails, refreshments, meals, a hotel room * transportation to and from the airport to your hotel Compensation totaling: EUR 250 for all flights 1500 kilometres or less; EUR 400 for all intra-community flights of more than 1500 and less than 3500 kilometres; EUR 600 for all other flights; Delays It happens, and you need to know your options: There is a three tiered system in place and here is what the airline is required to do.
A long delay considered to be more than two hours but, less than five hours depending on the length of the flight.
The airline is expected to offer free meal, refreshments and two free phone calls, fax or emails.
When the delay is more than five hours the airline is expected to offer a reimbursement of the ticket and return you to your first point of departure.
If the flight is scheduled for the next day the airline is required to get you a hotel and give you transportation to and from the airport.
If you want to continue with your journey.
Knowing your rights will help in any situation.
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