Missing Plane
Passenger rights

Stranded overnight: what the airline must pay for

By Jules Aubry · · How we check facts
The short answerDoes the airline have to pay for my hotel if my flight is delayed overnight?

Yes. Whatever the cause, even weather or an air traffic control strike, the airline must provide meals, a hotel and transport to it when you are stuck overnight. If it doesn't, pay reasonably, keep receipts and claim them back.

Check my flight in 30 seconds

The "right to care" applies whatever caused the disruption, including storms and air traffic control strikes. While you wait, the airline must provide:

  • Meals and drinks in proportion to the wait, usually as vouchers.
  • A hotel room if you have to stay overnight, plus transport between the airport and the hotel.
  • Two phone calls, emails or messages.

If the airline does not offer any of this, pay reasonably and keep every receipt. Claim the costs back afterwards in writing. Keep it sensible: a standard hotel near the airport and normal meals are refunded, a five-star suite is not.

Care starts after 2 hours for short flights, 3 hours for medium ones and 4 hours for long-haul, and for any cancellation.

Sources

What happened to your flight?
Where were you flying?

How late did you arrive?

At your final destination, when the doors opened.

What reason did the airline give?

Check the email or text message they sent you.

— → —
€250–€600Enter your route
Why this answer?
  • Under EU261, a flight 3+ hours late, cancelled at short notice or overbooked pays €250, €400 or €600 per passenger, depending on distance. Pick your airports to see your amount.
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