When you buy an airline ticket, you enter into a legal agreement with the carrier. But what happens when flights are delayed, canceled, or overbooked?
Airline passengers have specific legal rights, and airlines have legal obligations — although they vary by country and region.
Key Points
- Flight Delays and Cancellations: Under regulations like EU Regulation 261/2004 and similar U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) rules, passengers are entitled to compensation or rerouting options under certain conditions.
- Denied Boarding (Overbooking): Airlines often overbook flights to ensure full planes. However, if you’re involuntarily bumped, many jurisdictions require compensation.
- Lost or Damaged Baggage: International treaties like the Montreal Convention establish airlines’ liability for lost or damaged luggage, often with monetary caps.
- Tarmac Delays: U.S. law mandates that passengers stuck on the tarmac for extended periods must be given food, water, and access to toilets after a certain amount of time.
Conclusion
Understanding your rights as a passenger can help you demand fair treatment — and even compensation — when airlines fail to deliver what they promised.