A new EU rule could mean Brits get up to 400% of their travel costs back if a flight is cancelled, following a landmark agreement between the EU Council and the European Parliament on air passenger rights.
Key Changes for Stranded Passengers
The ruling allows passengers whose flights are cancelled to arrange their own transport and claim reimbursement of up to 400% of the original ticket price, if the airline fails to offer rerouting within three hours. This applies to Brits stranded in Europe due to cancellations on flights to destinations like Spain, Greece, Italy, Portugal, or France.
According to AirAdvisor, a specialist in disrupted flight claims, this reimbursement is separate from standard cancellation compensation, which can be up to £350 per passenger for a UK-to-Spain flight and higher for long-haul journeys. The standard compensation still depends on conditions such as whether the disruption was within the airline's control.
Coverage and Limitations
EU rights are based on the route and operating airline, not nationality. Post-Brexit, Brits are protected on journeys departing from an EU airport to the UK, or flights from the UK to the EU operated by an EU airline. For example, a Ryanair flight from Malaga to the EU is covered. However, flights from the UK to the EU on non-EU airlines, like British Airways from London to Madrid, are not covered.
The UK has its own UK261 framework with a Right to Care for delays over two hours, but it is unclear if it will be updated in light of the EU changes.
Expert Advice
Anton Radchenko, aviation lawyer and CEO of AirAdvisor, said: "For passengers genuinely in trouble, this change matters. A reimbursement cap of up to four times the original ticket price could make a real difference to families buying last-minute flights home." He advises travellers to document everything: original booking, cancellation notice, airline offers, and receipts for self-arranged travel.
"A right is only as useful as the evidence you keep to support it," Radchenko added.
