Flight Delays and Cancellations: Know Your Rights and How to Prepare

Flight cancellations are often caused by maintenance problems or weather conditions. Thus, booking a morning flight allows you to take advantage of other flights during the day, in case of cancellation or delay. Also, small provincial airports should be avoided. It is wise to choose large airports in order to have more flight opportunities on the same day.

In the event of a flight cancellation, it is advisable to first contact the airline. It could book you a seat on the next flight or refund your money so you can book with another airline. Do not hesitate to request accommodation at a hotel.

If the cancellation is due to weather conditions, the airline owes you no refund. But if it is a mechanical problem or related to the transport company, free accommodation and meals become a right if the wait exceeds 4 hours.

If you have to wait all night, you are entitled to a hotel room. Upon arrival, do not forget to book a seat on the airport shuttle for the next day. You can also ask to recover your luggage. The airline will arrange to have it delivered to the hotel.

If you have booked with a European airline or are traveling in a European country, delays of more than 3 hours are compensated based on the duration and distance of the flight, ranging from €50 to €600 per passenger.