⚙ Transparency & Trust

The handling of your case by Passengers friend

Find out what happens behind the scenes – how we enforce your claim step by step and with full commitment against the airline.

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PROCESS OVERVIEW

The process behind the scenes – an overview

Enforcing passenger rights can be a complex process. We take care of every step for you – from reviewing your documents to initiating legal action. On this page, we explain transparently what happens in your case.

1
Documents &
Processing
2
Out-of-court
Letter
3
Lawyer &
Legal Review
4
Court
Proceedings
Judgment &
Payout
Up to €600Compensation per person
No upfront costsCommission only upon success
Complete handlingWe take care of everything for you
1

SCHRITT 1

STEP 1

Documents & internal processing

Once your case has been received, the structured case processing begins. Ensuring that all required documents are complete is the crucial first step.

1.1
Missing documents

Complete documentation from the traveler is essential for processing the case. If any documents required to handle a case are missing, it is placed in a waiting status. An agent can only begin processing the case once all necessary documents have been provided.

1.2
Internal processing

As soon as it is verified that the document collection is complete, the case is queued for processing and assigned to one of our case managers. They will take charge of the detailed investigation and handling of the case. Afterwards, a notification will be sent to you to inform you that internal processing has been completed.

📋
Which documents are needed?
Typically: booking confirmation, boarding pass, and proof of the delay or cancellation if applicable. We will let you know if any further documents are missing.
2

SCHRITT 2

STEP 2

The airline is contacted out of court

Before taking a case to court, we always first attempt to resolve the matter out of court. The relevant airline or tour operator is requested to pay your claim. This gives the company the opportunity to review the case and settle the claim within a set deadline of 14 days.

If no payment has been received after this deadline or no satisfactory agreement has been reached, our legal department takes action and handles the next steps.

 

Alternative 1 – Positive Outcome
Airline agrees
The airline acknowledges the claim or agrees to a payment within the set deadline. Your case is successfully concluded – continue to step 5.2.2.
Alternative 2 – No Agreement
Out-of-court solution not possible
After a thorough review by our legal department, we conclude that legal action would likely not be successful in this case. We strive for an out-of-court solution. If no agreement can be reached, the case is closed without further steps. We are available to answer your questions at any time.
3

SCHRITT 3

STEP 3

Transfer to a lawyer – review of legal action options

If airlines or tour operators fail to respond, your case will be forwarded to our responsible lawyers. These travel law experts will assess the available legal options.

You will be regularly informed about the progress of your case, so you always know the current status.

  • ⚖️Review of prospects of success by specialized travel law attorneys
  • 📄Selection of the appropriate legal procedure (default summons or lawsuit)
  • 📬Regular status updates sent to you as our customer
  • 💼Complete coverage of all costs – no advance payment required on your part
ℹ️
Lawyer fee: Only if we need to hand over your case to a legal attorney does a surcharge of +10% (incl. VAT) apply to the commission. This keeps you at a maximum total commission of 35%, which is still more affordable than Flightright (approx. 42%) and AirHelp (approx. 50%) in legal proceedings.
4

SCHRITT 4

STEP 4

Initiation of legal proceedings

From a legal perspective, we essentially have two options available: filing a formal lawsuit or applying for a payment order. Both processes lead to a court decision – either in favour of the passenger or the airline.

Option A
Default Summons (Mahnbescheid)
Particularly suitable for clearly structured cases, especially when the flight departed or arrived in Germany and the airline is headquartered in Germany, Portugal, Norway, Spain, or Latvia. Tends to have a higher success rate and a faster procedure.
Option B
Lawsuit Proceedings
More complex cases that require a more detailed legal dispute are handled via standard lawsuit proceedings. This procedure may take longer, but offers realistic prospects of success even in more difficult cases.
⏱️
Duration: Court proceedings are typically the most time-consuming step and can take about 3–24 months. In rare exceptional cases, even longer. We will keep you updated throughout the entire process.
5

SCHRITT 5

STEP 5

Judgment has been issued

After the court proceedings have been concluded, a judgment is available. Depending on the outcome, different next steps will follow – we will continue to support you in every case.


Alternative 5.1 – Judgment not in your favour

Unfortunately, the desired outcome in the court proceedings was not achieved. We will now carefully review whether it makes sense to appeal the decision or file a further legal remedy. Of course, we will keep you regularly informed about all progress and decisions.

5.1.2
Appeal proceedings ongoing

The appeal proceedings are currently still underway, and a final judgment has not yet been rendered. Because such processes can vary depending on the complexity and details of the case, it is not always possible to predict an exact time for a final verdict. Nevertheless, we ensure that you are promptly informed of the progress of the proceedings and all important developments.

5.1.3
Conclusion after appeal proceedings

Following thorough review and execution of the appeal proceedings, it turned out that these were either unsuccessful or could not be initiated for certain reasons. This means that despite all efforts, the case cannot be pushed forward any further. It is always our endeavor to exhaust all available legal options – however, in some situations, the limits of the legal framework are reached.


Alternative 5.2 – Judgment won

The court has issued a positive judgment in favour of your claim. This success marks an important milestone. The next step is enforcing the judgment against the airline.

5.2.1
Non-payment by the airline despite final judgment

Despite the final judgment, the airline refuses to make the payment. In this case, we initiate the necessary enforcement measures. This process may take additional time, but we will consistently pursue your claim until full payout is achieved.

Step 5.2.2 – Payment received!
The airline has transferred the amount. Passengers Friend deducts the agreed commission and pays out your share directly.

FAQ

Questions about the process

It depends on your individual case. Out-of-court settlements can be reached within a few weeks. Court proceedings usually take between 3 and 24 months. We will always keep you updated on the progress of your case.

Nothing. Passengers friend operates on a No-Win-No-Fee basis: you only pay a commission if your claim is successful. No success – no costs.

Yes. You will receive regular status updates by email. You will always be informed directly about important decisions.

Documented additional expenses caused by the flight delay or cancellation can be claimed in addition to the EU compensation. Reimbursement of additional expenses is uncapped – there is no maximum limit.

"Are you a travel agency or tour operator?"

Travel agency

Premium service for your business: Customer assistance with flight disruptions – fast and fully compliant.

Tour operator

Legal handling of flight issues – outsourced with ease, resolved professionally.

"What is your case?"

Compensation for delayed flights.

Your flight was cancelled or not operated.

For problems caused by diverted flights.

If the airline has overbooked your flight.

In the event of missed connecting flights due to delays or similar disruptions.

Handling of Taxes and Fees in the Event of Flight Disruptions