Nowadays, flying is the most convenient way to travel around the world. However, sometimes air travelers experience with flight delays, flight cancellations, denied boarding due to overbooking, baggage loss or delay. What are your rights as a passenger?
Flight Cancellation
Airlines will rebook your ticket at no cost in case of your flight cancellation, on their next flight to your destination on which space is available.
Denied Boarding
If you are denied boarding, you may be entitled to compensation.
Government regulation regarding to flight delay
Government regulations establish common rules on compensation and assistance to passengers in the event of denied boarding, flight cancellation or delay.
1. If you flying to, from or within 28 European Union countries, the airline compensation should comply with Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004.
2. Currently, Canada doesn’t have government regulations on flight delay and cancellation. On December 17, 2018, the Canadian Transportation Agency proposed the passenger bill of rights. The Air Passenger Protection Regulations will apply to all airlines flying to, from and within Canada. The passenger bill of rights is currently in draft and must be approved by the cabinet. The offered regulations should come into force in the summer of 2019. The compensation is expected to be similar to the European EC #261/2004, which is considered to be a global leader in passenger rights.
WestJet, Air Canada, Sunwing, and Porter provide reimbursement of eligible expenses. Each airline has a different set of rules. The passenger entitles to a voucher for meals, beverages, overnight accommodation, round-trip airport transfers, and refund for the unused or electronic voucher towards a future flight. Please check each airlines’ Terms and Conditions for eligible reimbursement.
3. There are no federal laws in US requiring airlines to provide passengers with money or other compensation when their flights are delayed. The regulations cover you only if it is a tarmac delay for domestic flights and denial of boarding for domestic or international flights.
Before booking an air ticket
1. Before booking an air ticket, familiarize yourself with the Terms and Conditions imposed by the airlines. Passengers rights and duties are outlined in the Conditions of Carriage.
2. Use a credit card with travel interruption and cancellation insurance to book your air ticket for additional protection. Check your credit card insurance coverage.
At the airport
If you are denied boarding or if you found that your flight is cancelled or delayed for at least two hours, ask the airline agent to provide the note stating your rights, mainly with regard to compensation and assistance.
What to do if the carrier didn’t comply with Condition of Carriage
Airlines will rebook your ticket at no cost in case of your flight cancellation, on their next flight to your destination on which space is available.
Denied Boarding
If you are denied boarding, you may be entitled to compensation.
Government regulation regarding to flight delay
Government regulations establish common rules on compensation and assistance to passengers in the event of denied boarding, flight cancellation or delay.
1. If you flying to, from or within 28 European Union countries, the airline compensation should comply with Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004.
2. Currently, Canada doesn’t have government regulations on flight delay and cancellation. On December 17, 2018, the Canadian Transportation Agency proposed the passenger bill of rights. The Air Passenger Protection Regulations will apply to all airlines flying to, from and within Canada. The passenger bill of rights is currently in draft and must be approved by the cabinet. The offered regulations should come into force in the summer of 2019. The compensation is expected to be similar to the European EC #261/2004, which is considered to be a global leader in passenger rights.
WestJet, Air Canada, Sunwing, and Porter provide reimbursement of eligible expenses. Each airline has a different set of rules. The passenger entitles to a voucher for meals, beverages, overnight accommodation, round-trip airport transfers, and refund for the unused or electronic voucher towards a future flight. Please check each airlines’ Terms and Conditions for eligible reimbursement.
3. There are no federal laws in US requiring airlines to provide passengers with money or other compensation when their flights are delayed. The regulations cover you only if it is a tarmac delay for domestic flights and denial of boarding for domestic or international flights.
Before booking an air ticket
1. Before booking an air ticket, familiarize yourself with the Terms and Conditions imposed by the airlines. Passengers rights and duties are outlined in the Conditions of Carriage.
2. Use a credit card with travel interruption and cancellation insurance to book your air ticket for additional protection. Check your credit card insurance coverage.
At the airport
If you are denied boarding or if you found that your flight is cancelled or delayed for at least two hours, ask the airline agent to provide the note stating your rights, mainly with regard to compensation and assistance.
What to do if the carrier didn’t comply with Condition of Carriage
- Send complain to the airline.
- If you didn’t get any compensation from the airline or you are not satisfied with the reply, file complain to national authorities where incident took place. For European Union countries - to the National Enforcement Bodies, for Canada – to the Canadian Transportation Agency.
- If you don’t want to spend your valuable time for filing complain, let AirHelp claim compensation on your behalf for flight from, to or within the European Union. They can help you to get compensation if your flight has been delayed, canceled or overbooked within the last three years.
- booking confirmation
- electronic ticket
- boarding pass
- luggage tag
- receipts for additional expenses, due to the flight delay or denied boarding
- obtain a certificate of flight delay or a denied boarding certificate at the airport
- get information on the reason for the flight delay or denied boarding