In the European Union are governed by the delays, Overbooking and cancellations: The EU regulation no 261/2004 applies to all flights within the EU, or land, as well as for flights outside of Europe, conducted by an Airline that is based in Europe. According to the Federal office for civil aviation (Foca), the European passenger rights for Non-EU members Switzerland, Norway and Iceland.

In other cases, the provisions are often not so clear. And the rights of passengers in other States, for example, the United States, are in many cases not as comprehensive as those of the EU. For delayed domestic flights within the USA, for example, there is generally not entitled to compensation. In these cases, nothing else remains for the passenger to contact directly the Airline or to inform other about his rights.

The EU rules, however, are quite clear:

cancels a flight due to the Airline less than two weeks prior to departure – and this, without an alternative flight option that starts two hours later than originally confirmed, passengers can claim compensation. This is based on the distance that should be traveled. For air travel within the EU and less than 1500 km-EUR 250 are available to the passenger. For distances between 1500 km and 3500 km within the EU, there are 400, for flights outside of the EU, and more than 3500 km up to 600 Euro.

cancels the flight, in the short term, travelers have certain rights: The Airline must pay for expenses for drinks, meals and, if necessary, hotel accommodation including the necessary Transfers. In addition, you must ensure that the person Concerned may make a phone call. The passengers must be allowed the choice of whether you want to have refunded the price for the paid Ticket back. And you can decide whether you want to claim either a free return flight to the place of departure or alternative Transport to your destination.

The EU-regulation also States that in the following cases, a delay at the departure port, free of charge drinks and food, telecommunications, as well as, if necessary, accommodation has to be provided to: starting two hours late at a range of up to 1500 km; three or more hours of delay in flights over 1500 km within the EU, or between 1,500 and 3,500 km outside the EU; more than four hours of delay at a flight distance of more than 3500 km outside the EU.

Is the delay of about five hours, can be demanded the whole ticket price back. The passengers are at the airport of transfer, may be claimed from a free return flight. The Airline is also obliged to pay Compensation if the delay is more than three hours. The amount of compensation also depends on the distance: In the case of flights of 1,500 km passengers will receive € 250, 1500 and 3500 km EUR 400, with more than 3500 kilometres and about four hours of delay can be made 600 euros to claim it.

Suffer due to the delay of a provable financial damage, compensation of a maximum of 6700 Swiss francs will be required.

and No claim against the Airline may be levied if the delay is not due to your fault, for example, in case of a strike of the airport staff or air traffic control, political unrest, severe weather, security threats or medical emergencies.

More passengers than seats

It is often the case that the booked passengers do not Check-in appear (“no show”). That is why airlines overbook in case of high demand for their flights. Now, if more passengers than seats are available, you must check with the airline First if there are any Volunteers that give their space in exchange for compensation. The affected passengers have checked-in on time and behave correctly, you may receive the same compensation as in the case of the delay. In addition, the traveler can choose whether you want to have refunded the Ticket and a free return flight to the place of departure or alternative Transport to your destination benefit.

In all cases, it is advisable to let the inconvenience at the airport by the airline company to confirm in writing and gather as much information as possible and evidence for the delay. In order to make the compensation, is contacted in a first step, directly to the concerned Airline. From their response, it is evasive or negative, you can turn to the Mediator of the Foca and must complete First a four-page document.

Alternatively, various Internet portals like Airhelp, Refund.me, Legalfly or Cancelled help when you Demand to. This claim of 15 to 30 percent of the compensation as Commission. This can be very time-consuming paper war with some Airlines that refuse to breakdown almost are not necessary for the passenger. (Travel news)

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Created: 18.09.2019, 15:35 PM