Air Passenger Rights Explained
Travelling by air can be a wonderful experience and a great way to explore different parts of the world. However, it can also be a source of stress and inconvenience, especially when things go wrong.
Flight delays, cancellations, and lost luggage are just a few of the common issues that air travellers can face.
Fortunately, air passenger rights exist to protect travellers and provide them with reasonable compensation in such situations.
Understanding Air Passenger Rights
Air passenger rights are a set of pertinent laws and regulations designed to safeguard passengers’ welfare and ensure that airlines fulfill their obligations to their customers.
Different regions and countries have their own set of rules, and the level of protection offered to passengers varies accordingly.
Cloud Claims currently covers the UK & all EU countries. We can help you secure compensation for flight delays, cancellations & denied boarding for flights originating in the UK or EU, no matter what your final destination is.
Passenger rights can cover topics such as compensation for delayed or canceled flights, denied boarding, and lost or damaged luggage. In addition, air passengers are entitled to certain rights concerning their safety on board and access to essential services like food and drink.
United Kingdom UK261 regulations
European Union EC261 regulations
Flights originating in the EU or operated by an EU based airline
Flights originating in the UK or operated by a UK based airline
Europe’s EU261 Regulation
Europe’s EU261 regulation is one of the most comprehensive air passenger rights laws in the world. It provides financial compensation for passengers who experience cancellations and delays, denied boarding or downgrade situations, caused by the airline’s fault.
The regulation also covers cases of missed connections, long delays during stopovers, or when flights are diverted.
The compensation offered could range from €250 to €600, depending on the route and the length of the delay. EU261 applies to all flights departing from an EU airport, along with those from Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, and flights arriving in the EU on an EU airline. Passengers from non-European countries flying with a European airline or departing from a European airport are also covered under this regulation.
Late arrival 3 hours +
Cancellations
Denied Boarding / Over-booking
Missed Connections
Air Passenger Rights in the UK
While the UK has left the European Union, the good news is that UK travellers are still protected by the same rights which they enjoyed under EU261. The UK has implemented it’s own set of regulations, known as UK261, which replicate the same rights offered under EU261. Therefore, it’s essentially business as usual for UK air travellers and they continue to enjoy the same rights to compensation as before.
- Up to £520 compensation, per passenger, for flight delays and cancellations or denied boarding, where the fault is the airline’s.
- Flights which originate from a UK airport
- When travelling on a UK registered airline
Late arrival 3 hours +
Cancellations
Denied Boarding / Over-booking
Missed Connections
Common Misconceptions
There are many misconceptions about air passenger rights that travellers often have. One of the biggest misconceptions is that airlines are not responsible for delays or cancellations caused by extraordinary circumstances. However, in reality, if the situation could have been avoided through proper planning, airlines must compensate their passengers according to the law.
Another common misconception is that passengers are not entitled to compensation if their flight is delayed due to weather-related issues. However, if the airline could have taken necessary measures to avoid the delay, they are still liable, and passengers must be reimbursed accordingly. It is crucial for passengers to be informed about their rights to avoid being taken advantage of and being left stranded with no help from the airlines.
