Summer 2025 in flight: how to handle delays, cancellations and unexpected events
Summer is the most anticipated time for many, but traveling by plane can bring some unforeseen issues: delays, cancellations, or other disruptions can ruin plans. Knowing your rights and how to proceed is essential to face any situation calmly and to obtain any refunds or assistance. In this guide, you will find everything you need to best manage any problems related to flights during summer 2025.
Know your rights (EU Regulation 261/2004)
When traveling by air within the European Union, departing from a European airport with any airline, or arriving in Europe with an EU airline, Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004 guarantees passengers a series of fundamental rights. This regulation was created precisely to protect travelers in the event of air travel disruptions, offering compensation and assistance in unpleasant situations such as prolonged delays, sudden cancellations, denied boarding (often due to overbooking), and lost or damaged baggage.
In particular, if your flight arrives at its destination with a delay of more than 3 hours, you may be entitled to financial compensation ranging from €250 to €600, depending on the distance of the flight. The same applies if the flight is canceled without adequate notice or if you are denied boarding against your will, for example due to overbooking. In all these circumstances, in addition to financial compensation, you are also entitled to immediate assistance at the airport, which may include meals, drinks, access to means of communication (phone calls, emails), overnight accommodation if necessary, and transportation to/from the accommodation.
The regulation applies both to flights within the EU and to flights departing from an EU country to a non-EU destination, regardless of the passenger’s nationality. Furthermore, if you arrive in Europe from a third country with a European airline, you are still protected. In the case of lost or delayed baggage, the protection rules are established by the Montreal Convention, which complements Regulation 261 to provide a broader protection framework.
Knowing these rights is essential to understand how to act in the event of unexpected issues and to avoid wasting time or money unnecessarily. Many passengers give up their compensation simply because they are unaware they are entitled to it. For this reason, it is always useful to be informed before the trip and, in case of problems, to act promptly by collecting documents and receipts useful for any claims.
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Delay: assistance and compensation
When a flight is delayed between 2 and 4 hours, the airline is obliged to provide passengers with assistance, which includes meals, drinks, the possibility to make calls or send messages, and, if the delay involves an overnight stay, accommodation with airport transfer. If the delay is at least 3 hours upon arrival at the destination, the passenger is entitled to financial compensation that varies depending on the flight distance: from €250 for routes up to 1,500 kilometers to €600 for flights over 3,500 kilometers. Finally, if the delay exceeds 5 hours, the passenger can choose to give up the trip, requesting a full refund of the ticket and, if necessary, a return flight to their departure city.
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Flight canceled, denied boarding or overbooking
If your flight is canceled, you are denied boarding, or you face an overbooking situation, you have several important rights. First of all, you can choose between a full refund of the ticket, an immediate alternative flight, or rebooking on a later date that is more convenient for you. During the wait at the airport, the airline is required to provide you with assistance, offering meals, drinks, and, if necessary, hotel accommodation with transfers. You are also entitled to financial compensation ranging from €250 to €600, unless the airline has informed you at least 14 days in advance or if the cancellation is due to exceptional circumstances such as bad weather or strikes.
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Additional refunds and exceptional circumstances
In addition to compensation for delays or cancellations, you can request reimbursement for extra expenses incurred due to the disruption, such as taxis, hotels, or meals, provided you can prove these expenses with receipts or documents. However, it is important to know that the airline is not required to pay financial compensation if the problem results from exceptional circumstances, such as adverse weather conditions, external strikes, or issues related to air traffic control.
How to assert your rights
If you encounter a problem with your flight, the first step is to immediately request the claim form at the airport and keep all useful receipts and documents. Then, send a written claim clearly explaining the situation and requesting the due compensation or assistance. You can contact the competent authorities such as ENAC, the European Consumer Centre, or the Transport Regulation Authority (ART), who will help you assert your rights. A much simpler way is to entrust your case to a claim agency like DelayFlight24, which, thanks to a simple online form, facilitates the refund process and frees you from stress, so you can focus only on summer 2025.
