Turkish regulations on air passenger rights

You’re entitled to compensation in Turkey if your flight overbooked, delayed by more than 3 hours, or canceled less than 2 weeks before departure.

Compensation is based on the flight distance and whether it was domestic or international.

Although the timeframe can vary, most passengers receive a decision within a few weeks to a few months. In rare cases, it could be longer than that.

The time required depends on several things, such as whether the airline is cooperative and whether we need to take legal steps to secure your compensation. Regardless of what happens and how long it takes, we’ll keep you updated at every stage of your claim.

You must file your claim within 1 year of the flight date.

Airlines must take care of you if your flight is delayed, cancelled, or overbooked.

Your right to care starts after a certain length of delay — and once it does, what you get depends on how long you’ve been waiting in total.

Step 1: when your care rights start

💡 Before these times, airlines don’t have to provide meals or drinks — but once the delay reaches these points, your right to care applies straight away.

Step 2: what you’re entitled to once care applies

Example:

If your long-haul flight is over 3,500 km and delayed for 4 hours, that’s when your right to care starts — and you’re immediately entitled to drinks and a meal.

💡 Even if the delay is caused by exceptional circumstances (like bad weather), the airline must still provide care and assistance.

If your flight is canceled or you’re denied boarding, Turkish air passenger rights say you’re entitled to a refund or alternative route to your destination.

You can choose:

1. A replacement flight at the earliest opportunity

2. A replacement flight on another date that’s convenient for you

3. A full refund of the original purchase price of your ticket

If your delay exceeds 5 hours, you may also request a refund — even if you’ve already boarded the first flight of a multi-leg journey. If you decide not to continue, the airline must return you to your departure airport free of charge and refund you in full.

Turkish law requires airlines to clearly inform passengers of their rights. At check-in counters and boarding gates, they must display a notice (in Turkish and English) with this message:

Please request the text from the check-in counter or boarding gate which states your rights for the service you will be provided in case that your boarding is denied, your flight is canceled or delayed at least for two hours.

Moreover, if you’re denied boarding or your flight is canceled, the airline must explain in writing what compensation and assistance you’re entitled to.

Airlines must give priority to children traveling alone. In other words, if a flight is delayed or canceled, the airline must provide children on that flight with the care they’re entitled to as quickly as possible.

Passengers with reduced mobility — and anyone accompanying them, including registered service dogs — must be given priority care. They must receive assistance and communications tailored to their needs, especially in cases of delay or cancellation.

In addition, passengers with visual impairments must be provided with an appropriate communication method.

Upgraded? Great news — you don’t pay a cent extra.

Downgraded? The airline must refund a percentage of your ticket based on flight distance:

If you’re owed compensation, airlines must pay you with cash, cheque, or bank transfer. Vouchers or travel credits may only be offered if you agree.

Top tip: compensation amounts under SHY PASSENGER are defined in euros, but payment is made in Turkish Lira, using the Turkish Central Bank exchange rate on the ticket purchase date.

You might be eligible under other legal frameworks too — but you can’t claim twice. Any compensation received elsewhere may be deducted to avoid double payment.

SHY PASSENGER is a Turkish law that protects air passengers. It provides remedies for flight overbookings, delays, changes, and cancellations, including alternative flights or refunds.

Turkish air passenger rights regulations set the standards for the treatment of air passengers. They ensure that if flights don’t go to plan, airlines must take care of their passengers, ensuring they have food, drink, and accommodation.

They also control airlines' responsibility to get their passengers to their final destination (or pay a full and fair refund) and give passengers the right to compensation in the event of flight cancellations and denied boarding.

This depends on how long the delay is:

Any delay: Communication (2 phone calls, faxes, or emails)

2-3 hours: Hot and cold drinks

3-5 hours: Meals (e.g., breakfast or lunch)

5+ hours: Additional drinks, snacks, and time-appropriate meals

If you need to stay overnight, the airline must also provide hotel accommodation and airport transfers.

Here’s the official text of the Turkish Regulation on Air Passenger Rights (SHY PASSENGER).