Flight cancellations can severely disrupt your travel plans, whether you travel for business or leisure. Fortunately, passenger rights in the European Union are protected by Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, which in many cases provides the right to financial compensation for cancelled flights. In this guide, we detail when you are entitled to compensation, your options for refunds/rerouting, and what steps to take to claim your rights.
Applying EU Regulation 261/2004
Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 is your strongest ally when a flight is cancelled. It applies if your flight:
- Departs from an airport located in an EU member state, regardless of where the operating airline is registered (including Iceland, Norway, Switzerland).
- Lands at an airport in the EU coming from outside the EU, provided the flight is operated by an airline registered in an EU country.
Compensation for Cancelled Flights
In the event of a flight cancellation, you may be entitled to financial compensation. It is important to know that this right is separate from and in addition to your right to a ticket refund or rerouting.
Amount of Flight Cancellation Compensation
The compensation amount is fixed and depends solely on the flight distance, not on the price of your ticket:
| Flight Distance | Compensation Amount |
|---|---|
| Up to 1,500 km | €250 |
| Over 1,500 km within the EU, and all other flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km | €400 |
| Over 3,500 km outside the EU | €600 |
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When Compensation is NOT Owed
There are situations where the airline is exempt from paying financial compensation. This occurs under:
1. Timely Notification
- If you were informed of the cancellation more than 14 days before the departure date.
- If you were informed between 7 and 14 days before the flight and were offered an alternative route departing no more than 2 hours earlier and arriving no more than 4 hours later than the original.
- If you were informed less than 7 days before the flight but were offered an alternative route departing no more than 1 hour earlier and arriving no more than 2 hours later.
2. Extraordinary Circumstances
If the cancellation was caused by extraordinary circumstances beyond the airline's control (e.g., air traffic control strikes, extreme weather, security risks, political instability). Note: Technical issues are usually not considered extraordinary circumstances.
Even if the airline claims extraordinary circumstances, you still retain the right to care and the option to choose between a refund and rerouting.
Ticket Refund or Rerouting
Upon flight cancellation, the airline must offer you a choice among three options, regardless of the cause of the cancellation:
- Full refund of the ticket price within 7 days for all parts of the journey (including already flown parts if the journey has become pointless).
- Rerouting to your final destination at the earliest opportunity (even with a different airline) under comparable transport conditions.
- Rerouting at a later date of your convenience, subject to seat availability.
The choice is entirely yours. If you choose a full ticket refund, the airline is no longer obligated to provide you with care (hotel, food).
Fast Compensation Check
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Right of Care at the Airport
Regardless of whether you are entitled to financial compensation, if you are stuck at the airport awaiting an alternative flight, the airline must take care of you. This obligation includes:
- Food and drinks corresponding to the waiting time.
- Hotel accommodation if the alternative flight departs the next day or later.
- Transport between the airport and the hotel.
- Two free phone calls, emails, or faxes to inform your relatives.
If the airline fails to provide care and you are forced to pay for hotel, food, or transport yourself, keep all receipts and invoices so you can claim reimbursement later.
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Claiming cancellation compensation is your right. We will help you secure it quickly and easily.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes, this is fully possible. If the airline did not notify you of the cancellation in time (under 14 days) and the cancellation was not due to extraordinary circumstances, you have the right to choose a ticket refund AND claim financial compensation (€250/€400/€600).
No, you do not. Under EU 261/2004, you have the right to receive compensation in cash (bank transfer or check). You should only accept vouchers if you explicitly agree to do so in writing.
If both flights are part of a single reservation (under the same booking code), you are entitled to compensation. The amount is calculated based on the total distance from your departure point to the final destination.
The time limit depends on the national law of the country. In Bulgaria, the general statute of limitations is 5 years. However, we recommend taking action as soon as possible after the disruption.