How do I proceed if my booked flight has been rescheduled by an airline?
December 20, 2023 | 35,00 EUR | answered by Ralf Schlittmaier
Dear travel law attorney,
My name is Jessica Halbscheffel and I recently booked a flight with an airline. Unfortunately, I was informed shortly before the planned departure that my flight has been rescheduled. This has caused significant inconvenience as I have important appointments and obligations at the destination that I may now not be able to reach on time.
The airline has not provided me with any specific information about what happens next or what alternatives are available to me. I am concerned that I may miss my flight and incur additional costs as a result. Additionally, I am wondering if I am entitled to compensation or a rebooking.
How should I proceed in such a situation? What rights do I have as a passenger when my flight is rescheduled? Are there ways to find a quick solution and enforce my rights? I would greatly appreciate your support and advice on this matter.
Thank you in advance.
Sincerely,
Jessica Halbscheffel
Dear Mrs. Halbscheffel,
I understand your concerns and inconveniences regarding the rescheduling of your flight and would like to assist you in resolving this issue.
If your flight has been rescheduled, as a passenger you have certain rights under the European Regulation on Air Passenger Rights (Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004). This regulation states that passengers are entitled to compensation and assistance in case of flight delays of more than three hours, flight cancellations, or flight rescheduling.
In the case of a flight rescheduling, you have the right to information about the situation, provision of food and drinks, and communication facilities (e.g. phone calls, emails). You also have the right to be rebooked on another flight or to receive a refund of the ticket price if you choose not to travel. Additionally, you are entitled to compensation, the amount of which varies depending on the distance of the flight and the duration of the delay.
In such a situation, I recommend that you first contact the airline staff on site and request specific information. Inquire about the reasons for the flight rescheduling and ask about possible alternatives for your journey. Document all conversations and obtain written confirmations of the rescheduling and the services you are entitled to.
If the airline does not offer you a satisfactory solution or denies you the services you are entitled to, I recommend that you seek advice from a specialized lawyer in travel law. They can assess your claims, enforce them legally, and potentially obtain compensation for you.
I hope that my information is helpful to you and supports you in this matter. If you have any further questions or require legal advice, please feel free to contact me.
Yours sincerely,
Ralf Schlittmaier
Travel Law Attorney
