While the United States still struggles to pass a Passenger Bill of Rights, it’s nice to know that American travelers are covered under the European Union’s Air Passenger Compensation Requirements, which went into affect three years ago.
With thousands of passengers delayed or waylaid over at Heathrow’s new Terminal 5, now seems to be the perfect time to review just what kind of compensation you’re entitled to when flying within the EU.
The Guardian newspaper has this handy guide to the EU’s APCR. In many respects, the regs are not that different than the ones U.S. airplanes are ostensibly held to. Yet the EU’s somehow seem a little more straight forward.
If you are flying a European carrier within the EU, and your flight is delayed, here is the approximate financial compensation you’re entitled to, according to the Guardian:
- $200 for a journey up to 1,500km that’s delayed up to two hours
- $375 on a journey up to 1,500km delayed more than two hours
- $300 on a journey of 1,500km-3,500km delayed up to three hours
- $600 on a journey of 1,500km-3,500km delayed more than three hours
- $450 on a journey of more than 3,500km delayed up to four hours
- $900 on a journey of more than 3,500km delayed more than four hours
The Guardian points out that airlines have big incentives to pay up if you process a claim that falls under the regulations; they face fines of nearly $10,000 from the EU if they don’t.
So, just because you’re flying out of the U.S. doesn’t mean you forfeit your rights as a passenger. If any of you have been caught up in the Heathrow mess this week, maybe you should get something for your troubles.