Air passenger rights for overbooking, cancellation and baggage damage

In short: For cancellation, denied boarding or long delay you are entitled to care, refund or re-routing and in some cases compensation. For baggage problems separate deadlines apply.

In more detail: The EU Air Passenger Rights Regulation applies to flights from EU airports and EU airlines into the EU. For compensation for delay see flugverspaetung-entschaedigung-eu.

In detail

• Choice on cancellation: Refund of the ticket price or alternative transport at the earliest opportunity.
• Overbooking: Anyone involuntarily denied boarding gets compensation and care.
• Care: Food, hotel and transfer during longer waits.
• Baggage damage or loss: Have a property irregularity report (PIR) filed immediately at the airport; report damage within 7 days, delay within 21 days in writing.
• Deadlines and enforcement: Claim in writing; use the conciliation body (söp) or the consumer advice centre.
• Collect evidence: Boarding pass, booking confirmation, receipts for expenses.