Luggage losses, delayed and canceled flights, unfortunately, can cause a lot of suffering and anxiety and “spoil” our vacation. Those of us who are preparing to travel or close our next air trip is useful to know our rights.

In view of the increased mobility, the Hellenic Consumer Workers Association gives a number of travelers’ rights.

When are our rights apply:

Rights apply in accordance with EU law only if:

The flight is executed by and to a country by EU Member State by an air carrier of any country, inside or outside the EU.

The flight is run by a third country, except EU, to EU country by EU air carrier.

The flight is run by EU country, to a third country outside the EU, by a country’s carrier within or outside the EU.

As EU countries The 28 Member States, as well as Iceland, Switzerland and Norway, are considered.

‘Refusal of embarkation

In the event that the airline refuses to board the aircraft due to overcrowded passengers or for security reasons, the company initially searches for passengers – volunteers, willing to resign their reservations, in return for any conditions that will be agreed between an interested person. If there is not enough volunteers to have enough, so that the remaining passengers with bookings are allowed to board the aircraft, the company may refuse our boarding. In this case, we are entitled to:

Subject, ranging from 250 euros to 600 euros, namely:

250 euros for all flights up to 1,500 km,

400 euros for all flights between EU Member States over 1,500 km, and all other flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km,

600 euros for all flights that do not fall into the above two categories.

Compensation can be reduced by 50%if transferred to our destination by another flight and we reach delay:

2 hours for all flights up to 1,500 km,

3 hours for all flights between EU Member States over 1,500 km and all other flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km,

4 hours for all flights that do not fall into the above 2 categories.

The airline must also offer us the following features:

The return of the full fee of the ticket, within 7 days, for the part of the journey that was not made and for the part of the trip already made, provided the flight no longer serves any purpose in relation to the original plan, as well as a return flight to the original departure point, at the earliest possible.

the transfer to the final destination, with the earlier possible flight, with comparable transport terms,

Transfer to the final destination, another day that serves us, if there is availability of seats, with comparable transport terms.

However, if we choose one of the above 3 features, the right to the rest is lost.

For as long as the wait lasts, we are entitled to additional benefits from the company, such as:

Free meals and soft drinks analogs of waiting time,

Overnight in a hotel, when it is necessary to stay for one or more nights, or for more than what we were planning,

Transfer between airport and accommodation,

Ability to make phone calls or send e-mail (e-mail).

Flight delay

The delay should be, according to the company, more than 2 hours. It is distinguished in 3 cases and specifically:

2 hours or more for all flights up to 1,500 km,

3 hours or more for EU flights over 1,500 km and for all other flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km,

4 hours or more for other flights, which do not fall into the 2 previous categories.

For as long as the wait lasts, we are also entitled in this case additional benefits by the company, such as: free meals and soft drinks depending on the time of waiting time, a hotel overnight, a transportation between airport and accommodation etc

When the delay arrives or exceeds 5 hours, we have the right to request the return of the ticket for the ticket, if we decide that we do not want to fly even delayed

Cancellation

In the event of flight cancellation, we are entitled to optional:

The return of the full fee of the ticket, within 7 days, for the part of the journey that was not made and for the part of the trip already made, provided the flight no longer serves any purpose in relation to your original plan, as well as a return flight to the starting point of departure, at the earliest possible.

the transfer to the final destination, with the earlier possible flight, with comparable transport terms,

Transfer to the final destination, another day that serves you, if there is availability of seats, with comparable transport terms.

But if we choose one of the above 3 features, the right to the rest is lost.

Compensation, ranging from 250 euros to 600 euros, namely:

250 euros for all flights up to 1,500 km,

400 euros for all flights between EU Member States over 1,500 km, and all other flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km,

600 euros for all flights that do not fall into the above two categories.

Compensation can be reduced by 50%if transferred to our destination by another flight and we reach delay:

2 hours for all flights up to 1,500 km,

3 hours for all flights between EU Member States over 1,500 km and all other flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km,

4 hours for all flights that do not fall into the above 2 categories.

For as long as the wait lasts, we are also entitled to additional benefits from the company, such as: free meals and soft drinks depending on waiting time, staying in hotel, airport transport and accommodation, etc.

We are not entitled to compensation if we have been informed of the cancellation:

At least 2 weeks before scheduled departure time,

1 to 2 weeks before scheduled departure time, and an alternative flight is offered, with departure at most 2 hours earlier

From scheduled departure time and arrival at most 4 hours after scheduled arrival time, less than 7 days before scheduled departure time, and transferred by another flight, with departure at a maximum of 1 hour earlier than scheduled departure time and arriving at most 2 hours after the scheduled time.

Also we are not entitled to compensation if:

The cancellation is caused by emergencies that could not be avoided

Wear or loss of luggage

The airline with which we travel is responsible for any wear or loss of luggage that have passed through a check, provided that the incident that caused it, occurred on the aircraft or during any period during which the luggage was under its responsibility.

In such cases, we are entitled to compensation, which may amount to up to EUR 1,220. If the damage was caused by a defect or quality of the luggage, we are not entitled to compensation. In the case of luggage, the airline is responsible if the damage is caused by its own fault. In the event of luggage wear that have been delivered during ticket checks, we must file a written complaint to the carrier within 7 days, and in the event of a delay, within 21 days, from the day we received the luggage. If we do not find the suitcase on the airport, so that we can be notified in the event of it.

If our luggage is not found in 21 days, it is considered lost.

‘People with reduced mobility/disability

People with reduced mobility/disability are entitled to care, both at the airport and on the aircraft. It is preferable to inform the airline about the need for this care, at least 48 hours before the published departure time. The carrier must transmit the relevant information to the Airport Management Bodies, at least 36 hours before the published departure time. At the beginning, air carriers do not refuse due to disability or reduced mobility acceptance for flight for flight and boarding and boarding. The security conditions are met. In this case, the airline should provide an acceptable alternative. In the event of a detention or embarkation, if you are a person with reduced mobility or companion-conservative, the company is obliged within 5 business days, inform you in writing about the reasons for this refusal.

For all the above rights we can contact the Association of Consumer Workers of Greece by submitting questions, reports or complaints. Contact details:

On line submission form: https://eeke.gr/epikinonia/kataggelies/

E -mail: [email protected]

Tel. : 210-8817730

Website: www.eeke.gr