SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwired - Oct 21, 2014) - Travel law update from flightright: the European Court of Justice recently decided that the actual arrival time of an aircraft at its destination is defined by when at least one aircraft door is opened. This ruling has particular significance for passengers who seek compensation for a flight delayed by three hours or more, especially in cases in which the aircraft lands close to the three-hour threshold. For people flying between North America and Europe, the new ruling can boost their chances of collecting compensation of as much as $800.

In this recent case, the court took a clear position in favor of delayed passengers by noting that, so far as passengers are concerned, they are confined in the aircraft for the entirety of the flight. The court decided that flight delay should be calculated based on the time at which one of the doors of the aircraft is opened, at which time passengers can leave the aircraft and resume their activities. The time the aircraft lands on the runway or reaches its parking position is therefore irrelevant when calculating a flight's arrival time.

Marek Janetzke, managing director of Berlin-based flightright, the company that fights for compensation owed to passengers when their flights are delayed or cancelled, says that the ruling will be crucial for determining the outcome of 'edge' cases: "For years, we have heard from passengers that their claims for compensation were denied because their airline maintained that the flight had arrived on time, based on when the aircraft landed or came to a standstill. But as many passengers know, a lot can happen between when a plane lands and when a door actually opens. For them, the clock is still ticking while they wait to deplane."

Five things to do if your flight is delayed
The ramifications of this decision are significant. For example, about 2.6 million passengers fly from London to New York every year, of which approximately 21 thousand passengers would be directly affected by the regulation. Collectively, they would be eligible for compensation of around $17 million.

In light of the court's decision, flightright recommends that passengers take the following steps whenever it looks like their flight will be significantly delayed:

1. If the delay occurs at the departing airport, ask a gate agent what is the cause of the delay. The weather? A technical issue? Crew staffing problems? Note the reason the airline provides, and when it was given. Document any other pertinent information provided by airport or airline staff.
2. Record the time that you boarded the aircraft, when the aircraft pushed back from the gate, and when it took off.
3. During the flight, ask a member of the flight or cabin crew if they know the cause of the delay. Document any information provided, who provided it, and the time.
4. Upon arrival at the destination airport, note when the aircraft landed, when it came to a standstill, and when it docked at the gate or parking area.
5. Document the exact time that the first door was opened.