Flights Disrupted by Bomb Threats: What Are Your Passenger Rights?
In short: Bomb threats are usually treated as extraordinary circumstances, so airlines often don’t have to pay compensation. But you are still entitled to a refund or alternative flight, food and drink, and a hotel if you’re stuck overnight and in some cases you may still be able to claim.
A wave of hoax bomb threats has disrupted flights across Europe this week, forcing emergency landings, diversions and security searches, though no explosive devices have been found.
Can I Claim Compensation If My Flight Is Disrupted by a Bomb Threat?
Under UK261 and EU261 flight compensation regulations, passengers can normally claim up to £520 (or €600 under EU261) if their flight is cancelled at short notice or arrives at its final destination more than three hours late.
However, credible security threats, including bomb threats, are generally considered extraordinary circumstances because they are outside an airline’s control. That means airlines may not have to pay compensation if they can show the threat directly caused the disruption and that they took all reasonable measures to avoid it.
That doesn’t mean you lose all your rights. Your rights to care, a refund and rerouting apply whatever caused the disruption.
What If My Flight Was Diverted?
Most of the flights caught up in this week’s threats were diverted rather than cancelled. If yours landed somewhere other than its destination, your airline is still responsible for getting you there and must look after you while you wait. For compensation purposes, what counts is how late you arrive at your final destination, not when the diverted flight landed.
While genuine security threats can be considered extraordinary circumstances, airlines must still do everything reasonably possible to minimise disruption and support affected passengers. A bomb threat doesn’t mean passengers lose their right to care, assistance or a refund.
What Are My Rights If My Flight Is Cancelled?
Even in extraordinary circumstances, airlines must offer you a choice between:
- A full refund for the unused part of your booking
- An alternative flight to your destination at the earliest opportunity, which can include a seat with another airline if your own airline can’t get you there promptly
- An alternative flight at a later date that suits you, subject to availability
If your flight is delayed by five hours or more and you decide not to travel, you’re also entitled to a refund.
Am I Entitled to Food and Accommodation?
Yes. If you are left waiting because of a cancellation, delay or diversion, your airline has a duty of care to you. This applies once your delay reaches:
- 2 hours for flights of up to 1,500km
- 3 hours for flights of 1,500km to 3,500km
- 4 hours for longer flights
Assistance should include:
- Food and refreshments
- Access to phone calls or emails
- Hotel accommodation if an overnight stay is required
- Transport between the airport and the hotel
If your airline doesn’t provide this, you can usually claim back reasonable expenses from the airline afterwards, so keep every receipt. Costs beyond this, such as a missed hotel night at your destination or a missed event, aren’t covered by flight compensation rules, so check your travel insurance.
When Could I Still Be Able to Claim Compensation?
Airlines can’t refuse every claim simply by mentioning a security threat. The burden is on them to prove the threat caused the disruption to your flight and that they did everything reasonable to limit its impact. You may still have a claim if:
- Your delay lasted much longer than the security check itself reasonably required, for example because the airline was slow to arrange a replacement aircraft or crew
- Your flight was disrupted on the same day as the threats but for a different reason, such as a technical fault or staff shortage
- Your flight wasn’t targeted itself and the airline can’t show a direct link between the threat and your delay
If the reason you’ve been given seems vague, it’s worth asking the airline to confirm it in writing.
What Should I Do If My Flight Is Affected?
If your flight has been cancelled, delayed or diverted:
- Contact your airline to understand your options
- Keep your booking confirmation and boarding passes
- Note the time you actually arrived at your final destination
- Check whether you are entitled to flight compensation
Check Your Flight Compensation Rights with Bott and Co
Airlines sometimes blame a security incident when the real cause was something else, or when the disruption lasted far longer than the incident justified. Bott and Co can check what really happened to your flight and whether you’re owed compensation.