Record the notice and replacement offer
The airline should offer reimbursement, rerouting at the earliest opportunity, or later rerouting under comparable conditions. Once one route is chosen, other travel-choice rights may change, although compensation can remain a separate issue.
Apply the cancellation timing tests
Current EU guidance generally excludes fixed compensation when notice was given more than 14 days in advance. Different replacement-flight timing tests apply for notice between 7 and 14 days and for notice under 7 days.
Separate expenses from fixed compensation
Meals, refreshments, hotel and transport can remain relevant while waiting for rerouting. Keep reasonable, itemised receipts where the airline does not provide care.
Documents to prepare
Before sending the request
State the remedy clearly. Fixed compensation, reasonable expenses, reimbursement and rerouting are separate requests even when they arise from the same disruption.