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Package holiday or charter flight: who you claim from

EU rules on delays and cancellations also cover flights sold as part of a package holiday, including charter flights booked through a travel agency (Regulation 261/2004, article 3(6)). Compensation is claimed from the airline that operated the flight, not from the agency.

Checked 9 Oct

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Enter the flight number and the date. We tell you what you are owed.

Compensation comes from the airline

It doesn't matter that you paid the travel agency or that the flight was a charter: the airline that operated it owes the compensation for a long delay, a cancellation at short notice or denied boarding, and the meals and hotel while you wait. Its name is on your boarding pass.

The agency's side: the package travel rules

The organiser of the package is responsible for every service in it, the flight included (Directive (EU) 2015/2302, article 13). If the trip isn't delivered as agreed, you can ask the organiser for a price reduction and for damages (article 14).

Refund and compensation, not paid twice

When a flight in a package is cancelled, the refund of what you paid goes through the package rules, with the organiser (Regulation 261/2004, article 8(2)). Compensation from the airline and money from the organiser can both be owed, but one is taken into account against the other so you are not paid twice for the same thing (Directive 2015/2302, article 14(5)).

Claiming on your own, for free

You can claim for free without us: write to the airline first. If it refuses or doesn't answer, you can complain to the national enforcement body (in Romania, ANPC) or ask the European Consumer Centre in your country for help (in Romania, ECC Romania), also for free. It makes sense to come to us when the airline has refused or ignored your claim, or when you would rather not deal with it yourself.

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Questions

Does the airline owe me food or a hotel?

Under EU and UK rules, yes, while you wait for a delayed or cancelled flight: meals and drinks in proportion to the wait, and a hotel with transport if you are stuck overnight. That is separate from compensation.

How far back can I claim?

It depends on the country whose courts would hear the claim. On many EU routes it is several years. The check tells you for your flight.

What does FlyHandled cost?

Checking your flight is free. If we handle the claim, the fee is 25% of what the airline pays, VAT included, plus 15% only if it goes to court, and nothing if it pays nothing.

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