Summer vacation is coming to an end, and for some of us, that means the end of the potential for flight chaos: delays, cancellations, inexplicable diversions, or (as was the case with my flight from the Czech Republic last week) a family The airline had to "steal" a spare plane because the original one broke down. But once the fear of the rolling "flight delayed" warning on the airport departure board is gone, it's important to know your rights as an airline passenger. And, as we'll discover, many of your specific rights to airline compensation and accommodation depend on your location, the length of your flight, the airline's own policies, and many other factors. This is a fairly complicated situation, so I've put together a simple guide on the basics of what you have rights to do if you encounter difficulties at the airport.
I should know; if you say a flight disaster, I've been there. I nearly lost a wing on my plane, was inexplicably stranded in Madrid, had no spare clothes in New York in the winter, and was delayed at most major airports in the world for eight hours. The airlines will probably duck when they see me coming. But there's one rule you should always follow when a travel disaster strikes: The people behind the counter are human, and they'll likely try to help you, along with the 143 other people who were on your flight and were rescued. inconvenient. Treating them well doesn't cost anything and can be the difference between a quick flight home and being forced to spend the night at the airport with only one food option. Guys, bring your etiquette and toiletries.
Here's a quick guide to your legal rights in the event of flight delays, cancellations, overbookings and lost luggage; but in any case, you should check your airline's policies before flying.
flight delay
Unfortunately, according to the Department of Transportation, U.S. laws regarding flight delays aren't really consumer-friendly. This depends a lot on the individual airlines; cheaper flights may not offer much to passengers whose flights are delayed, while more expensive flights may offer meal vouchers or some kind of token compensation, but preferably Check it before taking off. Delays on the tarmac are a little different; if for some reason your plane is grounded with everyone on board, the airline must provide food and water within two hours of the delay and keep toilets functioning. For domestic flights, it is generally illegal to remain on the tarmac for more than three hours. The Huffington Post explains that some airlines have policies in place to transfer you to another airline in order to get you to your destination on time, but others try to get you on their own next available flight. You provide the seat.
European law is a little different. If you depart from any EU airport or arrive in the EU on an EU airline, the EU has strict guidelines on compensation: if the delay exceeds five hours, you are entitled to a full refund of your ticket, but if you: The airline does not need to provide you with any further assistance. If you are more than three hours late, you are entitled to a compensation amount based on where you departed and the length of your flight; for example, if your flight from Paris to Sydney exceeds the limit, you will be compensated €600 because the journey exceeds 3,500 kilometres. For delays of more than 2 hours, the EU requires your airline to provide free meals; for overnight delays, they need to provide you with accommodation and transportation to and from the airport.
Flight canceled
This is too bad. There is no other way. And, because there are no federal regulations on what U.S. airlines must do in these situations, you're largely left to the whims of their personal policies. USA Today notes that airlines will offer at least one of two options: Either refund the unused portion of the ticket (so if you're flying from Madrid to New York via Los Angeles and New York-Los Angeles) if the segment is canceled, which is The only portion you can get refunded) or they will put you on the next available flight. They will also have separate policies on whether passengers on canceled flights receive free phone calls or food, but those policies generally only apply if the cancellation is within the airline's control, such as an engine failure, rather than a hurricane or terrorist attack.
The EU is stricter again: barring hurricane/terrorist attack issues, they maintain the three-hour delay law, with compensation depending on where you're going and the length of the flight. They also require passengers to get a refund, a return flight to their point of origin or take an alternative route to their final destination within seven days. But European law offers airlines a way out, as the Huffington Post explains: If they give you more than two weeks' notice or one to two weeks of cancellation and cancel it four hours before your original arrival time or within a week can choose to be rerouted within two hours and then they do not have to pay. Yes, this is as complicated as it sounds.
overbooked
Contrary to what you might think, overbooking a flight (selling more seats than are actually available) is not illegal and is actually quite common. However, if everyone with a reservation shows up for the flight, the airline has a problem and tends to solve the problem by "bumping": turning away passengers so that they have to take the next available flight. Independent Traveler notes that if you're not in a rush, there are actually big benefits to being voluntarily squeezed, as airlines often express their gratitude with vouchers, upgrades, or access to airline lounges.
If you are involuntarily bumped in the United States, the Department of Transportation requires airlines to take care of you: If the alternative transportation they arrange for you causes you to be delayed by 1-2 hours (1-4 hours for international flights), they will pay you 200 % of the fare; if it's later than that, or they can't arrange it for you, they have to pay you 400% of the fare. However, these numbers have upper limits ($675 and $1,350 respectively). Also, if an airline offers you a free ticket and you want the money, you can insist on it if you want.
The rules in the EU are not that complicated: if you are bumped involuntarily, or cannot agree with the airline on your specific arrangements after voluntarily, you are entitled to the same treatment as if your flight was cancelled (a full refund or via other routes to your destination). The difference is that for collisions, the airline must provide it within 7 days.
Lost or delayed baggage
In this case, U.S. travelers are given more leeway: Conde Nast Traveler explains that if you make a claim for lost or damaged luggage in the U.S., you're entitled to compensation of up to $3,300, while the Montreal Convention You are entitled to USD 1,750 only for claims made elsewhere in the world. But getting that amount can be tricky. Independent Traveler revealed that many airlines refuse to take responsibility for items such as expensive jewelry or family heirlooms in checked luggage, and proving the value of what you're carrying without a receipt can be tricky. There are also strict rules on how long you have to make a claim, sometimes within 7 days.
If you're traveling with valuables, it's usually best to cover them with insurance or declare them at check-in; United Airlines, for example, has an "excess valuation" system that accepts luggage worth up to $5,000, but it's quite complicated. Airlines won’t just take your word for it. Each airline has a different policy when it comes to delayed luggage, but the Department of Transportation requires all airlines to provide at least some money each day so travelers can buy essential items (like underwear) if their luggage is found. That’s why I recommend that you always, always carry a change of clothes and toiletries in your hand luggage when traveling. You may think this will never happen to you, but then you go on vacation with dirty jeans and a pair of socks until they find your suitcase in Iceland.
Photo credit: baona/E+/Getty Images; Jiffy
