Coping with flight problems can be quite upsetting. However, the positive thing is that the European Union has regulations to assist travelers when things get messed up. If you’re traveling by air in the EU, it’s a good idea to know about these protections. They can be useful if your flight is disrupted.
These protections are known as air passenger rights, which are legal entitlements under EU law that safeguard travelers in cases of flight cancellations, delays, and overbookings.
Understanding your rights can make managing travel complications less stressful. While it won’t make your flight go any faster, it can make you more relaxed when things go wrong.
Passenger Rights under EU Regulation 261/2004
EU air passengers are protected if their flight experiences difficulties. EU laws ensure airlines assist their passengers when things go wrong.
When flights are delayed or cancelled, airlines must offer you:
- Food and drinks;
- A hotel room if you’re stuck overnight;
- Alternative transportation if your flight is cancelled or significantly delayed;
- Two free phone calls, emails, or faxes.
If you’re delayed for a long time or your flight is cancelled, you might also get:
- A refund;
- A different flight option;
- Compensation to make up for the inconvenience.
Don’t forget to ask airline representatives about these entitlements if your plans change. They have to inform you about your rights when there’s a significant delay or cancellation.
German Airways Flight Delay Compensation
Delays with flights from German Airways can be very frustrating. However there’s a bright side: if you’re delayed for more than three hours because of the airline’s fault, you might be able to get some compensation.
Regulations in the UK and EU are on your side. You could be eligible for up to €600 per person. What counts is when you land, not when you take off. So pay attention to your arrival time if you want to seek flight delay compensation.
How much you get depends on your flight distance. A brief trip won’t yield as much as a long one, even if they’re both delayed for the same duration.
Interested in learning exactly how much you could get? Check out the table below to see what compensation you could receive:
| Less than 3 hours | Between 3-4 hours | Over 4 hours | Distance |
| €0 | €250 | €250 | All flights up to 1500 km |
| €0 | €400 | €400 | All flights between 1500 km and 3500 km |
| €0 | €400 | €400 | All intra-EU flights over 3500 km |
| €0 | €300 | €600 | All non-EU flights over 3500 km |
To check your eligibility for German Airways delay compensation, simply enter your flight details into the our claim checker to verify your rights.
German Airways Flight Cancellation Compensation
The EU has regulations to help you if your flight is cancelled. Here’s what you need to know:
If your flight is cancelled less than two weeks before you’re supposed to leave, you might get compensation of up to €600. However, there’s a condition – the airline can avoid paying if they can get you on another flight that doesn’t mess up your plans too much.
The airline may not need to compensate you if they arrange a replacement flight that meets the following conditions:
| Advance Notice | Re-routing Requirements |
| 14 Days | None |
| 7 – 13 Days | Alternative flight departing no more than 2 hours before and arriving less than 4 hours after the original flight |
| Less than 7 Days | Alternative flight departing no more than 1 hour before and arriving less than 2 hours after the original flight |
If you agree to take an alternative flight from the airline, you can still receive compensation. The most important thing is your arrival time at your destination.
The amount you could receive is determined by a couple of points:
- The distance of your flight
- The time difference between the scheduled and actual arrival
Therefore, even if the alternative flight is delayed, you might still get some compensation.
Refer to the following table to understand better:
| Under 2 hours | 2-3 hours | 3-4 hours | Over 4 hours | Never arrived | Distance |
| €125 | €250 | €250 | €250 | €250 | All flights 1,500 km or less |
| €200 | €200 | €400 | €400 | €400 | Internal EU flights over 1,500 km |
| €200 | €200 | €400 | €400 | €400 | Non-internal EU flights 1,500 km- 3,500 km |
| €300 | €300 | €300 | €600 | €600 | Non-internal EU flights over 3,500 km |
The airline might not have to compensate you if they can provide a transfer to your destination, close to the original schedule. Even if you’re just a little late, you might not be eligible for flight cancellation compensation.
How to Claim Compensation from German Airways
It’s crucial to understand the process of claiming the compensation you’re entitled to under EU Regulation 261/2004. Here’s how to do it:
- Fill in our form. You’ll need to provide details such as your flight number, date, and the problem you faced.
- Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will manage the process. We understand the EU laws well and will do our best to obtain your rightful compensation. You are only charged if we win your case.
Don’t forget that you’re entitled as a passenger to claim compensation for a delayed or cancelled flight. Regardless of whether your flight was delayed because of operational reasons or technical difficulties, if it was not caused by extraordinary circumstances like inclement weather or air traffic control decisions, you qualify for compensation.
Which German Airways Flights are Covered by EU261?
The air passenger protection regulations of the European Union have a wide-ranging scope. They cover all flights departing from an airport in an EU member state and to all flights arriving at an airport in an EU member state if the flight is operated by an EU airline.
| Itinerary | Covered by EU 261 |
| Flights departing EU airports | ✅ Covered |
| Flights arriving at EU airports | ✅ Covered |
These laws also apply to airlines from Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland. This means if you’re flying with any airline to, within, or from Europe, you most likely have these rights. It’s helpful to understand these laws – they exist to help you if problems occur with your flight. They make sure you’re not stranded when your trip arrangements fall through.
When You Are Not Entitled to Compensation
German Airways isn’t always at fault when flights are delayed or cancelled. Occasionally, events occur that the airline is powerless against, like extreme weather or unexpected problems.
For example, if there’s an abrupt major weather event, an airport emergency, or a strike by air traffic controllers, German Airways isn’t responsible. These are called “extraordinary circumstances” that the airline has no control over.
When these events take place, you are unlikely to get any compensation. The airline is not considered to be doing anything wrong when these unforeseen difficulties occur. However, German Airways must prove that the cancellation or delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances in order to avoid paying.
Recent Flight Delays and Cancellations
Was your flight delayed or cancelled without a valid reason? Check our table for the latest flight delays and cancellations. Assess your right to compensation using our claim checker, and let us protect your rights and pursue compensation for you.
Did not find your flight in our table? Try our compensation form, and we will check it for you.
| Date | Flight number | Route | Status | Compensation |
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