For many, the journey to their dream destination can be the most daunting part of the vacation, particularly when it involves air travel. The fear of missing the flight, the dread of long queues, and the uncertainty of flight cancellations or delays can be overwhelming. However, knowing your rights can provide a sense of relief, alleviating these concerns and encouraging more people to travel.
If you know your rights as a flyer, you can make the most of this stressful time and even earn some extra cash (if you are bumped).
In the United States, according to the Department of Transportation, Airlines Alaska, American, Delta, Hawaiian, Jet Blue, and United
When the airline cancels your flight for controllable reasons, you are entitled to:
- Rebooking your flight at no extra cost
- a meal or cash voucher when you wait 3 hours or more for your next flight
- a complimentary hotel if your flight is for the next day
- complimentary ground transportation to and from the hotel
(Tip: Ask the check-in staff to arrange the hotel, taxi, and meal voucher so you don’t have to scramble yourselves – they can call a team member who will arrange it for you. It may take some time, but it takes the hassle away from keeping your receipts, submitting a claim, and waiting for compensation)
Involuntary Bumped on Domestic US Flights, you are entitled to:
- Up to $775 if you arrive 1-2 hours past your scheduled initial flight
- Up to $1550 if you arrive after 2 hours past your scheduled initial flight
Involuntary Bumped on International Flights out of the US, you are entitled to:
- Up to $775 if you arrive up to 4 hours past your scheduled initial flight
- Up to $1550 if you arrive longer than 4 hours past your scheduled initial flight
European Legislation known as EC 261
(EU air passenger rights apply):
- If your flight is within the EU and is operated either by an EU or a non-EU airline
- If your flight arrives in the EU from outside the EU and is operated by an EU airline
- If your flight departs from the EU to a non-EU country operated by an EU or a non-EU airline
As of January 2021, compensation is not allowed if your flight is operated by a UK carrier or another non-EU carrier (flights from the UK to the EU).
Cancelation, Delay, or Missed connection:
- Passengers are allowed up to 650 Euro in compensation.
- Hotel stays with food and ground transportation to and from the hotel.
- The euro amount is determined by the km to the destination and the hours delayed. For example, a flight from London to Edinburgh would be compensated with 250 euros, and a flight from London to Totyo would be 650 euros.
My Aer Lingus from a few weeks ago was canceled. The airline put us on the next flight, leaving simultaneously, but instead of a direct flight, we connected in Dublin. Our original seat configuration was 2-4-2, and we were sitting together in a two-seat row. On the rescheduled flight, we were seated apart and in the middle section of 4. We asked the airline to put us on the flight, leaving the next day with the same 2-4-2 configuration, also direct. We had the flexibility, so we opted to stay the night on them. They arranged for a hotel, a meal voucher of 25 euros each for dinner, complimentary breakfast, and transportation to and from the airport.
The hotel and meals were excellent. They paid for the taxi to the hotel but should have informed the taxi service about the airline paying the way back, so we paid out of pocket. The airline also moved us from the front of the plane in a 2-seat row to the back of the plane in a 3-seat row with no one between us.
When we landed, we also filled out a claim for the original canceled flight and taxi. Within a week of our arrival home, the airline sent us $1300 in compensation. Way to go, Aer Lingus!
In conclusion, stay vigilant, and learn your passenger rights. It may take a little extra effort, but it will be worth it in the long run.
