Flight Compensation Glossary

EU261

Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, the EU law on compensation and assistance for denied boarding, cancellation and long delay. Applies to departures from the EU and to arrivals into the EU on EU airlines. Iceland, Norway and Switzerland also apply it.

UK261

The retained UK version of EU261 that has applied since the end of the Brexit transition period, with amounts in pounds: £220, £350 and £520.

Operating carrier

The airline that actually flies the aircraft. It is responsible for compensation, even if you booked with a codeshare partner or a travel agent.

Community carrier

An airline licensed in an EU member state. After Brexit, UK airlines are not Community carriers for EU261.

Arrival time

The moment at least one aircraft door opens and passengers may leave, as held in Germanwings v Henning (C-452/13). Not touchdown.

Long delay

Arrival at the final destination three hours or more after the scheduled time. Treated like a cancellation for compensation under Sturgeon.

Distance band

The great-circle distance between the first departure airport and the final destination: up to 1,500 km; 1,500–3,500 km (and all intra-EU flights over 1,500 km under EU261); over 3,500 km.

Extraordinary circumstances

Events beyond the airline's actual control, not inherent in normal operations, that could not have been avoided by all reasonable measures — for example severe weather, air traffic control restrictions or security risks.

Re-routing

Transport to your final destination on another flight under comparable conditions, at the earliest opportunity or at a later date of your choice.

Right to care

Meals, refreshments, two communications and, where needed, hotel accommodation and transfers, owed during long waits regardless of the cause.

Denied boarding

Refusal to carry a passenger with a valid ticket who presented on time, usually because of overbooking, other than for reasons such as health, safety or inadequate travel documents.

Downgrading

Placing a passenger in a lower class than booked. The airline must refund 30%, 50% or 75% of the ticket price for that flight depending on distance.

Single booking

Flights reserved together as one journey. Delay and distance are measured from the first departure to the final destination.

NEB

National enforcement body — the government authority in each EU country responsible for enforcing EU261.

ADR

Alternative dispute resolution. In the UK, CAA-approved ADR schemes review complaints free of charge after the airline has rejected them or eight weeks have passed.

14 CFR Part 260

The US DOT regulation on airline refunds. It requires prompt refunds when an airline cancels or significantly changes a flight and the passenger does not accept an alternative.

Significant change (US)

A departure three hours or more earlier or arrival three hours or more later on a domestic itinerary (six hours international), a change of airport, extra connections, a downgrade, or certain changes affecting passengers with disabilities.

Prompt refund (US)

Within seven business days for credit card purchases and twenty calendar days for other payment methods.

Significantly delayed bag (US)

A checked bag not delivered within 12 hours of arrival (domestic), 15 hours (international, nonstop segment 12 hours or less) or 30 hours (international, segment over 12 hours).

See the EU261 guide, the UK261 guide and the US refund rule guide for how these terms work together.