How Much are you Owed for Cancellations and Delays at Athens Airport?

Canceled or delayed flights from Athens Airport (ATH) can completely derail your travel plans. Not only is the wait long and frustrating, but it can also lead to monetary loss — you could miss out on important business meetings, hotel bookings, prepaid tours, concerts, and even personal events such as weddings or anniversaries. Plus, you're often left out of pocket paying for unexpected expenses such as food or other necessities.

It’s due to situations like these that EU Regulation No. 261/2004 (better known as EC 261) was established. It’s a law that gives air passengers the right to receive monetary compensation following flight disruption. Depending on the circumstances of the delay, each air passenger can expect to receive as much as US$700 in compensation, to be paid by the airline.

All flights departing from an EU airport are covered by EC 261, which is why Airport canceled flights are usually covered. You can check if your flight is covered in the table below.

Is your Flight Covered by EC 261?

Not all Athens Airport cancellations and delays qualify for flight compensation. While EC 261 is very air passenger rights friendly, it does recognize that disruptions cannot always be avoided. If the disruption is caused by extraordinary circumstances, airlines are not legally obligated to pay compensation.

Extraordinary circumstances include situations that are outside the airline’s control, such as severe weather conditions, medical emergencies, political unrest, and health or safety threats.

Of course, just because you are not eligible for compensation, doesn’t mean that you now have to fend for yourself. During a lengthy delay, the airline must still provide you with free meals and drinks, and, if needed, a hotel while you wait.

For canceled flights, they will also have to provide you with an alternative flight to your intended destination. Remember that you never have to pay extra for a replacement flight — even if they upgrade you.

So, how do you know when you should claim compensation for Athens airport canceled flights? Though the law can be complicated, we're here to break it down for you:

Flights departing from an EU airport are eligible for compensation, as are flights landing in the EU with a European airline. The amount you receive varies depending on the length of the delay and the distance, but each passenger can get up to US$700.

For cancellations, you get compensated if your airline cancels a flight less than 14 days before it is scheduled to depart. For delays, your flight qualifies if you arrive at your final destination more than 3 hours late. You can learn more about your rights here.

Table shows values in € as specified in EC 261

The distance of your flight route can affect how much compensation you receive. The table above breaks it down for you, though in some cases exceptions may apply.

If you ever experience cancellations or delays in Athens Airport, having a good understanding of your rights helps will go a long way to making the situation less stressful. Always keep a level head, and ask the airline staff for assistance if needed. Here are some things to remember: