Travelers facing flight delays or cancellations in the European Union now have stronger legal backing when claiming compensation.
The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled that a boarding pass is sufficient proof of a confirmed reservation, simplifying the claims process for affected passengers.
The case that led to this decision involved two travelers who experienced a 22-hour flight delay on their journey from Tenerife to Warsaw as part of a package tour. When they sought compensation, the airline contested their claim, arguing that the passengers lacked proof of a confirmed and paid reservation. The carrier claimed that, since the tickets were purchased through a third-party company at a preferential rate, the passengers were not eligible for reimbursement.
However, the Luxembourg-based court disagreed with the airline, emphasizing that a boarding pass serves as tangible proof that a passenger had a valid booking for that flight. According to the ruling, airlines must recognize a boarding pass as additional evidence that a reservation has been accepted and registered, unless extraordinary circumstances prove otherwise.
Furthermore, the CJEU clarified that travelers who book through third-party providers, such as tour operators, are still entitled to compensation under EU regulations. The court rejected the airline’s argument that the passengers traveled for free or with an exclusive discounted ticket unavailable to the public. The ruling affirms that if a third party (such as a tour operator) pays for the flight at standard market conditions, the passenger still holds the right to seek reimbursement for excessive delays or cancellations.
This decision strengthens passenger rights across the EU, making it easier for travelers to claim compensation without the burden of excessive documentation. Airlines can no longer reject claims based on disputes over how a ticket was purchased. Instead, if a passenger presents a boarding pass showing they were on the flight, they should be presumed to have a confirmed reservation.
For travelers, this ruling means a simplified claims process. If your flight is delayed for more than three hours, canceled, or overbooked, presenting your boarding pass alone could be enough to receive compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004.
