CompensareZbor / Reference
Air passenger rights, in plain English
These definitions help you read a response from an airline or prepare your own request. They describe the main concepts; the facts of a particular journey still need to be checked.
- Operating air carrier
- The airline responsible for performing the flight. The booking agent or company selling the ticket is not necessarily the operating carrier. Identify this airline before sending a disruption claim.
- Compensation
- A fixed payment for an eligible disruption, distinct from reimbursement of the ticket. The standard EU 261 bands are €250, €400 and €600, with conditions and possible reductions. A fare above or below those amounts does not determine the payment.
- Reimbursement
- Repayment of the ticket cost when the relevant rules give that option. It is different from compensation and from reimbursement of necessary expenses incurred while waiting.
- Rerouting
- An alternative journey to the final destination under the relevant transport conditions. The departure and arrival times of an offered alternative can affect compensation after cancellation.
- Right to care
- Assistance such as refreshments, communication and, where applicable, accommodation and transport. The requirements depend on the disruption and waiting time. Care and compensation must be considered separately.
- Extraordinary circumstances
- Events outside the airline’s normal activity and effective control that can affect the duty to pay compensation. The airline must meet the legal test; simply labelling an event extraordinary does not settle a claim.
- Final destination
- The destination used to assess arrival delay under the applicable rules. On a connected journey covered by a single reservation it can differ from the airport where the initial disruption occurred.
- Limitation period
- The time available to bring a legal claim. National law, jurisdiction, the claim type and events that suspend or interrupt time can affect the calculation. A website estimate cannot resolve all of these factors.
- Affiliate link
- A commercial referral link. CompensareZbor may receive a commission when a reader uses a partner service. An affiliate relationship does not make this site the airline, a public authority or the company handling the claim.
Where to read more
The official Your Europe guide explains the situations in which each right may apply. For Romania, also consult ANPC, the Romanian consumer protection authority. Our FAQ turns these terms into practical next steps.