Airline Eurowings

Eurowings GmbH, more commonly known as Eurowings, is a German low-cost airline, and a subsidiary of Lufthansa. It was established in 1993 through the merger of two domestic German airlines.

Lufthansa began acquiring shares in the company in 2001, eventually becoming the sole shareholder in 2011. In 2015, Lufthansa merged Germanwings and Eurowings under the single name Eurowings.

Today, Eurowings is a major airline. Its fleet of 104 aircraft serves 153 destinations across 40 different countries. Unlike other low-cost airlines, it also operates medium and long-haul flights, mainly to North Africa and the Middle East.

Among the countries served, 24 are within the European Community area. If you fly with Eurowings, it is very likely that you will be subject to European legislation.

Eurowings and European regulation

Within the European Community area, civil aviation is governed by Regulation (EC) No 261/2004. While most countries worldwide recognise similar rights for air travellers, the enforcement of these rights can vary.

This regulation therefore harmonises the enforcement of these rights across Europe.

While the laws of another country may apply, Eurowings remains subject to European law. This covers:

all flights departing from the European Community area (including Switzerland, Norway, and Iceland);
all flights to the same community area, operated by an airline based there.

Eurowings is a German airline. Therefore, it is fully covered by this second point.

There is one exception: flights with stopovers, originating from and destined for third countries.

Your Rights under Regulation (EC) No 261/2004

The European regulation provides a number of rights for air travellers. The principles are similar in most countries worldwide, but their enforcement can differ. Within the European Union, the framework is as follows.

The right to care until your arrival

To travel with Eurowings, you must meet three conditions: have a boarding pass, valid documents, and present yourself on time for boarding.

If you meet these three conditions, Eurowings is obliged to take care of you until your arrival. This means they must offer you re-routing in case of delay or if you are denied boarding due to overbooking.

Additionally, in case of significant delay, you may incur expenses: meals, drinks... If this requires you to wait until the next day, you may even need to stay overnight in a hotel. Eurowings must cover your expenses. You are also entitled to two phone calls.

The right to a refund in case of non-transport

If Eurowings cancels your flight or denies you boarding due to overbooking, you have the right to request a refund. This is owed to you, even on a ticket sold as non-refundable.

A refund is also possible in the event of a flight delay of more than 5 hours.

Since this implies forfeiting your journey, we recommend you consider it carefully. If you accept the refund, you also forfeit any care from the airline.

If you are entitled to compensation, you also forfeit this right at the same time.

The right, under conditions, to compensation in case of disruption

You can only assert your right upon arrival, but you have at least two years to make the claim.

The European regulation provides for a fixed compensation in case of delay, cancellation or overbooking. The amount, as well as the conditions for compensation, are also specified in Regulation (EC) No 261/2004.

Compensation with Eurowings, how does it work?

While compensation is a right, it is not automatic. You still need to make a claim.

With Eurowings, the process is quite simple. You will find a form on their website. However, you will not be compensated automatically. Certain conditions must be met.

In case of delay

Delays are not uncommon in air travel. Compensation is only possible after a certain delay period. This varies depending on the length of your flight. The amount also varies according to the same criteria. Thus, you are entitled to:

€250 for a flight of less than 1500 km with a delay of 3 hours or more;
€400 for a non-EU flight between 1500 and 3500 km or an EU flight over 1500 km with a delay of 3 hours or more;
€600 for a non-EU flight over 3500 km with a delay of 4 hours or more.

In case of flight cancellation or overbooking

If your flight is cancelled, the compensation scale is the same. However, you are entitled to compensation from the first minute of delay. If the delay does not exceed a certain time, the compensation is halved.

Thus, you are entitled to:

€125 for a flight of less than 1500 km with less than 2 hours delay;
€200 for a non-EU flight between 1500 and 3500 km with less than 3 hours delay;
€300 for a non-EU flight over 3500 km with less than 4 hours delay.

If you were denied boarding due to overbooking, the compensation level is the same.

Cases where you are not entitled to compensation

In the event of disruption to your flight, it is Eurowings that compensates you. This implies that you have suffered a loss and that they are responsible.

Thus, in certain cases, they are not obliged to pay you this compensation:

if they informed you at least 15 days in advance: the loss is limited, and you have time to make arrangements;
if you are re-routed at the same times and under the same conditions: here, there is no loss;
in case of extraordinary circumstances (bad weather, geopolitical risk, strike): if the loss is real, the airline cannot be held responsible.

Regarding extraordinary circumstances, a strike at Eurowings is an exception: the airline is held responsible and must compensate you.

Was your Eurowings flight disrupted? Check your rights with Delayed

If your flight with Eurowings was delayed, cancelled, or overbooked, you are likely covered by Regulation (EC) No 261/2004.

However, the process can seem a bit daunting, and you may not always be sure of the airline's response. Are you hesitant to handle it yourself? Why not let us do it for you?

Delayed, specialists in air passenger rights, will handle your claims.