If the flight cancellation occurred more than 14 days before departure, the airline isn't required to offer an alternative (just a full refund)
Chris
Hello,
But yes!!! The 14-day deadline, which, by the way, only applies to flights canceled by the airline, only matters FOR the right to compensation.
However, whether it's more than 14 days before or not, Articles 5, 8, and 9 of Regulation 261/2004 of the European Parliament and Council apply:
quote:
"Article 5
Cancellations
1. In the event of cancellation of a flight, the passengers concerned:
a) shall be offered assistance by the operating air carrier in accordance with Article 8;
b) shall be offered assistance by the operating air carrier in accordance with Article 9(1)(a) and (2), as well as, in the case of re-routing when the reasonably expected departure time of the new flight is at least the day after the planned departure of the canceled flight, the assistance provided for in Article 9(1)(b) and (c); and
c) shall be entitled to compensation by the operating air carrier in accordance with Article 7, unless they are informed of the cancellation of the flight:
i) at least two weeks before the scheduled time of departure; or
ii) between two weeks and seven days before the scheduled time of departure if they are offered re-routing allowing them to depart no more than two hours before the scheduled time of departure and to reach their final destination less than four hours after the scheduled time of arrival; or
iii) less than seven days before the scheduled time of departure if they are offered re-routing allowing them to depart no more than one hour before the scheduled time of departure and to reach their final destination less than two hours after the scheduled time of arrival.
Article 8
Assistance: right to reimbursement or re-routing
1. Where reference is made to this Article, passengers shall be offered a choice between:
a) - the reimbursement of the ticket within seven days, under the conditions referred to in Article 7(3), at the price at which it was purchased, for the part or parts of the journey not made and for the part or parts already made if the flight is no longer serving any purpose in relation to the passenger’s original travel plan, and where relevant,
- a return flight to their initial departure point as soon as possible;
b) re-routing to their final destination under comparable transport conditions, as soon as possible, or
c) re-routing to their final destination under comparable transport conditions at a later date at their convenience, subject to seat availability.
2. Paragraph 1(a) shall also apply to passengers whose flight forms part of a package tour except for the right to reimbursement if such a right arises under Directive 90/314/EEC."
End of quote
While it's true that the law requires offering re-routing, even via another airline's flight, airlines are very reluctant to comply with this obligation.
Check this out:
https://retardimportantavion.wordpress.com/2023/09/29/indemnisation-meme-si-circonstance-extraordinaire-droit-reacheminement-dans-les-meilleurs-delais/When the cancellation is made well in advance, it’s often better to see if you can find an alternative flight yourself that isn’t more expensive, and just demand a refund.
However, sometimes even getting a refund requires a procedure and, above all, patience. Check this out:
https://retardimportantavion.wordpress.com/2024/10/23/lufthansa-championne-du-refus-des-droits-des-passagers/Best regards