What are my rights for food & hotel while waiting

If your flight was delayed and you are waiting for another plane, the airline is obliged to:

• provide you with free meals and drinks in a reasonable amount (vouchers are allowed as a flight delay compensation)
• give the opportunity to make 2 free phone calls and send an e-mail or free fax if you need to
• provide you with accommodation in a hotel in the event the flight was delayed late at night
• cover any transfer fees including to and from the airport

These requirements should be met no matter how long your flight is delayed and for what reason it occurred. But sometimes it happens that the airline cannot provide you with the service mentioned above. In such a case, you may take care of yourself by yourself, and then claim the refund for this.

But make sure you saved all the receipts and spend the money reasonably because the airlines should not cover any expenses – there are some limits. For example, the airlines are not obliged to cover your expenses on luxury apartments and alcohol (some of the airlines provide special guidelines for you to familiarize with the costs they consider reasonable).