EU261, the European regulation that provides compensation for delayed or canceled flights originating in or heading to EU member states will now apply to U.S. domestic flights that connect with European itineraries headed to the U.S.
The change, which comes from a ruling by the EU’s Court of Justice, means that a passenger flying from Paris to San Francisco on a ticket that includes a domestic flight from New York to the final destination will now have the same rights as if the flight had been a non-stop from Paris.
The actual case involved was filed by three passengers who had booked a Lufthansa ticket from Brussels to San Jose, California, with a layover in Newark and a United Airlines flight for the final leg. The United flight was delayed by four hours and the passengers filed for compensation which was denied by United.
The court, in its ruling, said that the European selling carrier was responsible for the entirety of the trip, which could result in compensation of between $270 and $650. EU261 covers all EU-based airlines, and also covers flights by non-EU airlines that originate in Europe.
