Recent judgement is 'great news for air passengers,' says Which
Following a recent EU judgement ruling that air passengers will now be compensated for delays of three hours or more, Rochelle Turner from Which? Holiday responded by saying: “This is great news for air passengers. We hear all too often of people who are delayed for hours at the airport, often without any information about when their flight will finally leave, and are then offered no compensation. This judgement means that consumers will now be compensated properly for long and often frustrating delays, and not just when the airline takes the decision to cancel a flight.”
Currently, if your flight is delayed the Denied Boarding Regulation will not enable you to be granted any compensation. But it's important to remember that the airline does have an obligation to offer you assistance if your delay is expected to go beyond a certain point. At present delayed passengers are entitled to: Two free phone calls, faxes or e-mails; and also free meals and refreshments which are 'appropriate to the delay.'
You would also expect to be given free hotel accommodation and hotel transfers if an overnight stay is required. If the delay lasts for five hours or more, you can choose not to travel and get a refund of your ticket cost, if this is appropriate.
There are, of course, rules that govern what you are entitled to: When a flight under 932 miles is delayed for over two hours. When a flight within the EU that is over 932 miles is delayed for over 3 hours.
When a flight that isn't within the EU but is between 932 and 2174 miles is delayed by over 3 hours. When any other flight is delayed for in excess of three hours.
