Passenger Rights: New smartphone app to give you all your rights while travelling this summer

Passengers stranded at airports or awaiting missing luggage may now use a smartphone application to check their rights immediately and on the spot. Just in time for the summer holidays, the European Commission has launched an application for smartphones which covers air and rail transport and works on four mobile platforms: Apple iPhone and iPad, Google Android, RIM Blackberry and Microsoft Windows Phone 7. The app is available in 22 EU languages. It currently covers air and rail transport and will be extended to bus / coach and marine travel in 2013 when these rights come into force.

For each potential problem, the app explains the passenger’s rights. For example, if a flight is cancelled and the passenger is consequently denied boarding, he or she may be entitled to compensation of between €125 and €600. If your luggage is damaged as a result of an accident, you may also be entitled to compensation. It is also good to know that rail and air companies are obliged to provide transparent information on pricing and assist passengers with reduced mobility.

If you feel that your rights have not been respected, the app also provides information on who to contact in order to complain.