There are lots of ways to pass time during an unexpected flight delay in Europe: catch up on emails, stream a new Netflix documentary, or sip a cocktail. If you opt for that last one, though, don’t expect compensation from the airline.
A German court recently ruled that airlines aren’t required to reimburse the costs of alcoholic beverages during a delay, according to translated court documents. In the case of a flight cancellation, overbooking, or extended layover (two or more hours from original departure), the European Union’s Air Passenger Rights Ordinance states that airlines must offer to cover “meals and refreshments in reasonable proportion to the waiting time” — and alcohol doesn’t count.
