When there are too many passengers for the seats available, an airline must first ask for volunteers to give up their seats in return for agreed benefits. These must include the choice of either refund of your ticket (with a free flight back to your initial point of departure, when relevant) or alternative transport to your final destination.

If you are not a volunteer, the airline must pay you compensation of:

• €250 for flights of 1,500 km or less,
• €400 for longer flights within the EU, and for other flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km,
• €600 for flights over 3,500 km outside the EU.

Compensation may be halved if you are not delayed more than 2, 3 or 4 hours, respectively. The airline must also give you:

• a choice of either a refund of your ticket (with a free flight back to your initial point of departure, when relevant) or alternative transport to your final destination, and
• meals and refreshments, hotel accommodation when necessary (including transfers) and communication facilities.