Fast &
Easy:
No success –
no costs
Satisfied customers speak for us
Safe and confidential
What can package holidaymakers do if their flight times are postponed?
Package holidaymakers have special rights if their flight times change. Here are the most important steps package holidaymakers can take:
- Check whether the change is significant:
if there is a significant change to the flight times, for example one that greatly shortens the length of the stay, this is a material change to the travel contract. What is considered a “significant” change depends on the duration of the change and should be defined in the travel contract.
- contact the tour operator: T
the holidaymaker should contact the tour operator as soon as they become aware of the change. In many cases, the tour operator can offer a satisfactory solution.
- rebooking or canceling free of charge:
If the flight times have been changed significantly, package holidaymakers generally have the right to rebook or cancel the contract free of charge. The tour operator must then either offer a replacement trip or refund the travel price.
- notification of defects on site:
If the flight times are only changed during the trip or shortly before departure and the change constitutes a significant defect, the holidaymaker should report the defect to the tour guide or the tour operator on site. The notification of defects is important in order to be able to assert any claims later.
- claim compensation:
If the change in flight times leads to a significant impairment of the trip and the organizer does not offer an appropriate solution, the holidaymaker can claim a reduction in the travel price or compensation. It is advisable to submit the claim to the organizer in writing and promptly after the trip.
- seek legal advice:
If the tour operator does not respond appropriately to the complaint or claim, it may be helpful to seek legal advice or contact consumer protection organizations.
In addition, package holidaymakers should check the general terms and conditions of their tour operator to understand specific regulations on flight time changes and, if necessary, carefully document their travel documents.
What rights does a package holidaymaker have if his flight is delayed?
- Assistance services
The EU Air Passenger Rights Regulation obliges airlines to offer passengers assistance if their flight is delayed for a certain length of time. These depend on the flight distance and the duration of the delay:
- From 2 hours delay for flights up to 1,500 km.
- From 3 hours delay for flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km.
- From 4 hours delay for flights over 3,500 km.
The care services include:
- Meals and refreshments,
- Two free telephone calls, e-mails or fax messages,
- Accommodation and transportation to accommodation if an overnight stay is required.
The following table gives you an overview of the assistance services to which you are entitled in the event of a flight delay:
From 2 hours departure delay on a short-haul flight, i.e. up to 1,500 kilometers
| Meals and refreshments in reasonable proportion to the waiting time, i.e. drinks and snacks + 2 free phone calls or emails |
From 3 hours departure delay for a medium-haul flight, i.e. up to 3,500 kilometers
| Meals and refreshments in reasonable proportion to the waiting time, i.e. drinks and snacks + 2 free phone calls or emails |
From 4 hours departure delay on a long-haul flight, i.e. over 3,500 kilometers
| Meals and refreshments in reasonable proportion to the waiting time, i.e. drinks and snacks + 2 free phone calls or emails |
From 5 hours departure delay (for all routes, i.e. short, medium and long-haul flights)
| Passenger can cancel the flight against reimbursement of the ticket costs
|
Departure only on the next day
| Entitlement to hotel accommodation (3-star) and transportation to the hotel and back to the airport |
Check here free of charge and without obligation whether you are entitled to compensation
Check your compensation claim online in just 2 minutes
Compensation
Package holidaymakers are entitled to compensation in accordance with the EU Air Passenger Rights Regulation in the event of a delay of more than 3 hours at the final destination, provided the delay was not caused by extraordinary circumstances. The amount of compensation depends on the flight distance:
- € 250 for flights up to 1,500 km,
- € 400 for flights within the EU over 1,500 km and for flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km,
- € 600 for flights over 3,500 km.
Right of withdrawal or travel price reduction
If the flight delay is significant and the trip is significantly impaired as a result, package holidaymakers have the right under German travel law (Section 651i BGB) to withdraw from the travel contract or demand a reduction in the travel price. The amount of the travel price reduction can be assessed using the Frankfurt table:
- Delay up to 4 hours: 5% of the daily travel price.
- Delay between 4 and 6 hours: 10% of the daily travel price.
- Delay between 6 and 9 hours: 20% of the daily fare.
- Delay between 9 and 14 hours: 30% of the daily fare.
- Delay over 14 hours: 50% of the daily fare.
These percentages refer to the daily travel price, i.e. the total price of the trip divided by the number of days of travel.
The “Frankfurt Table” is a frequently used guide in Germany to assist courts and consumers in assessing travel defects. It provides guidelines for determining the percentage amount by which the travel price can be reduced due to various defects. In the event of a flight delay as part of a package tour, the Frankfurt table can also be applied if the delay constitutes a significant travel defect.
Alternative transportation
If the flight is so severely delayed that the package holidaymaker can no longer reach his vacation destination, he can also request alternative transportation from the tour operator. The tour operator must offer an appropriate solution that fulfills the original travel plan as far as possible.
Compensation for damages
In certain cases, e.g. if the flight delay leads to additional costs or losses, package holidaymakers can also claim compensation from the tour operator. The damage must be proven and reported to the tour operator in writing.
Practical tips
- Documentation: It is important to keep all relevant documents such as boarding passes, booking confirmations, receipts and proof of communication.
- Notification of defects: Problems should be reported immediately to the tour operator or tour guide in order to safeguard any subsequent claims.
- Written claims: Claims should be made in writing to the tour operator as soon as possible after the trip.
As a package holidaymaker, can I cancel the trip if there is a flight delay?
Yes, as a package holidaymaker you generally have the right to cancel your trip in the event of a significant flight delay. This right arises from the EU Package Travel Directive.
According to this directive, you have the option of canceling the trip if there is a “significant” change to an essential travel service. This could be a significant flight delay, for example. EU Regulation No. 261/2004 also stipulates compensation for flight delays, although this applies in addition to the right of withdrawal.
Whether a flight delay is significant depends on various factors, such as the total duration of the journey and the importance of the flight for the trip. In such cases, travelers should contact the tour operator and declare their withdrawal in writing.
What rights do I have if my train arrives late at the airport?
If your train arrives late at the airport and you miss your flight as a result, you can assert different rights depending on the circumstances:
- passenger rights in the event of a train delay:
Under the European Passenger Rights Regulation (Regulation (EC) No. 1371/2007), you are entitled to compensation if your train reaches a certain delay:
- If the delay is at least 60 minutes, you can claim 25% of the fare back.
- If the delay is at least 120 minutes, you can claim back 50% of the ticket price.
However, if you miss your flight due to the train delay, this is only a small consolation for many passengers.
- package tour:
If the trip was booked as a package tour, i.e. the train and flight were booked together as one package, the tour operator is responsible. In this case, you should contact the tour operator as soon as possible to find an alternative solution or discuss compensation if necessary.
- train-to-flight offers:
Some airlines and tour operators offer special “train-to-flight” tickets. Such offers often include delay insurance, which covers the costs if you miss your flight due to a train delay. It is important to know the terms and conditions of such offers so that you know what to do in the event of a delay.
- travel insurance:
If you have travel insurance, you should check whether it covers delays and any resulting costs. Many travel insurance policies include a “missed departure” clause that applies under certain conditions.
- case-by-case decisions:
If you have not booked a combined ticket or a package tour, but have bought your tickets separately, it is usually more difficult to obtain compensation, as the train company cannot usually be held responsible for missed flights. Nevertheless, it is worth asking the airline, train company or travel insurance company whether there is a goodwill arrangement.
In any case, it is important to inform the parties concerned about the delay and the missed flight as soon as possible and to check the respective conditions and options.