Flight Delay compensation

The Regulation introduces a three-tier system:

in the event of long delays (two hours or more, depending on the distance of the flight), passengers must in every case be offered free meals and refreshments plus two free telephone calls, telex or fax messages, or e-mails;
if the time of departure is deferred until the next day, passengers must also be offered hotel accommodation and transport between the airport and the place of accommodation;
when the delay is five hours or longer, passengers may opt for reimbursement of the full cost of the ticket together with, when relevant, a return flight to the first point of departure.

Delay

1. When an operating air carrier reasonably expects a flight to be delayed beyond its scheduled time of departure:
(a) for two hours or more in the case of flights of 1500 kilometres or less; or
(b) for three hours or more in the case of all intra-Community flights of more than 1500 kilometres and of all other flights between 1500 and 3500 kilometres; or
(c) for four hours or more in the case of all flights not falling under (a) or (b),
passengers shall be offered by the operating air carrier:
(i) the assistance specified in Article 9(1)(a) and 9(2); and
(ii) when the reasonably expected time of departure is at least the day after the time of departure previously announced, the assistance specified in Article 9(1)(b) and 9(1)(c); and
(iii) when the delay is at least five hours, the assistance specified in Article 8(1)(a).
2. In any event, the assistance shall be offered within the time limits set out above with respect to each distance bracket.

Right to compensation

1. Where reference is made to this Article, passengers shall receive compensation amounting to:
(a) EUR 250 for all flights of 1500 kilometres or less;
(b) EUR 400 for all intra-Community flights of more than 1500 kilometres, and for all other flights between 1500 and 3500 kilometres;
(c) EUR 600 for all flights not falling under (a) or (b).
In determining the distance, the basis shall be the last destination at which the denial of boarding or cancellation will delay the passenger's arrival after the scheduled time.
2. When passengers are offered re-routing to their final destination on an alternative flight pursuant to Article 8, the arrival time of which does not exceed the scheduled arrival time of the flight originally booked
(a) by two hours, in respect of all flights of 1500 kilometres or less; or
(b) by three hours, in respect of all intra-Community flights of more than 1500 kilometres and for all other flights between 1500 and 3500 kilometres; or
(c) by four hours, in respect of all flights not falling under (a) or (b),
the operating air carrier may reduce the compensation provided for in paragraph 1 by 50 %.
3. The compensation referred to in paragraph 1 shall be paid in cash, by electronic bank transfer, bank orders or bank cheques or, with the signed agreement of the passenger, in travel vouchers and/or other services.
4. The distances given in paragraphs 1 and 2 shall be measured by the great circle route method.

This Regulation is applicable to all worldwide airlines when departure takes place within the EU and, in the case of flights from outside the EU to a destination within the EU, only to airlines licensed in a Member State of the EU.

Source:airpassengerrights.eu

Thanks.
(These regulations have been there for many years but in this part of the world, the travelling public is not aware of their rights, so it can be abused. Remember UL used to offer HOTEL plus recovery ticket too some years back).

Most of the time I take Sri Lankan, they offer me free meals (only McDonalds), i.e. the flight is always delayed......

problem is most passengers(including me ) don't know about this rule. if i knew this rule years back, i could have some reasonable compensations, I think sri Lankan airline passengers are very lucky, because their flight always break down or delay.

if you have more than 4 hours transit in dubai, you get free meal ticket you can use it at marhaba restaurant as I remember. it's a buffet and you can eat whatever you want

Afourer wrote:Most of the time I take Sri Lankan, they offer me free meals (only McDonalds), i.e. the flight is always delayed......

Afourer wrote:Most of the time I take Sri Lankan, they offer me free meals (only McDonalds), i.e. the flight is always delayed......

could you mention the sector please

and kith they still offer that... actually there are 02 compensation either a money voucher or a free return ticket...

Thanks for the details Nis

When delayed listen to this lovely song...a remake of a classic:  

Yes they still do but as I said in my previous posting, one has to be assertive to get both.

yaka wrote:

Afourer wrote:Most of the time I take Sri Lankan, they offer me free meals (only McDonalds), i.e. the flight is always delayed......

could you mention the sector please
and kith they still offer that... actually there are 02 compensation either a money voucher or a free return ticket...

Almost 18 yrs back in India, I remember a flight got cancelled and the departure was next day. They offered us transport to hotel, full meals and nice accomodation.

In the year 1987 I was given $100.00 (with an apology) by a local airliner in Washington because they have over-booked the flight to Pennsylvania in which I was supposed to take and I had to travel next flight after one hour.

I think I got something like $300 or $500 in 2007 Dec when coming to SL from UK. My flight was overbooked by Emirates and I came last minute to the gate in Dubai I believe. I was told I will be compensated at the SL office and was put on a hotel. Next day came to SL. However the locals at the WTC office acted as if I was asking money from their pockets. Thats shows the difference in attitude. 

It was a windfall for me since I did not have an emergency to come to SL ASAP.