What compensation for a cancelled flight?

An airline may cancel a flight for several reasons. These reasons can be classified into two categories: "extraordinary" and "ordinary" circumstances. Depending on the reason for your disruption, you will not have the same rights for your cancelled flight.

The "extraordinary" circumstances

They include cases where the airline is not directly responsible for cancelling the flight. For example, storms, security problems (bomb threats, passenger misbehaviour, etc.) or strikes are "extraordinary" circumstances. As the airline is not directly liable, the regulations protect you less than in "ordinary" circumstances. In addition, you will be notified shortly before takeoff (a few days maximum) by SMS or directly by announcement when you are at the airport. However, the airline is obliged to provide you with the following services:

• Re-route you on a new flight to the same destination as soon as possible
• Provide you with assistance during your waiting time: meals and drinks
• Pay for accommodation if you have to spend one or more nights waiting for your new flight

You will not be able to claim a refund of the ticket for your cancelled flight or compensation for the damage suffered.

The "ordinary" circumstances

They include cases where the airline is directly responsible for cancelling the flight. For example, technical problems (aircraft maintenance, repair, etc.), personnel problems (absent co-pilot, understaffed flight crew, etc.), or management choices (change of route leading to aircraft unavailability, etc.) are "ordinary" circumstances. These problems are quite frequent, given that it is difficult to manage and optimise a fleet of several hundred or thousand airliners. As the airline's liability is directly involved here, the European regulation EU 261 protects you. As in the case of "extraordinary" circumstances, the airline is obliged to provide you with the following services:

• Re-route you on a new flight to the same destination as soon as possible
• Provide you with assistance during your waiting time: meals and drinks
• Pay for accommodation if you have to spend one or more nights waiting for your new flight

However, you are also entitled to a lump sum compensation of €250, €400 or €600 (according to EU regulation 261), unless you are informed by the airline of the cancellation of the flight: At least 14 days before the scheduled departure time, or 14 to 7 days before the scheduled departure time if you are offered a re-route that allows you to depart no earlier than two hours before the scheduled departure time and reach your final destination less than four hours after the scheduled arrival time, or Less than seven days before the scheduled departure time if you are offered a re-route that allows you to depart no earlier than one hour before the scheduled departure time and reach your final destination less than two hours after the scheduled arrival time.