Flight search engines show a wide range of options in a matter of seconds. To ensure that a cheap ticket doesn’t turn into an expensive headache, there are a few things you should check before booking.
This page has been automatically translated from German. The German version is the authoritative one: Deutsch
In short
- Booking portals are generally just intermediaries. Your contractual partner is the airline (3).
- There is no 14-day right of withdrawal for flight bookings (3).
- The safest option is a booking where all legs of the journey are operated by a single airline or via code-sharing (3).
- The airline will only compensate you for a missed connecting flight if all the flights were part of the same booking (1).
Intermediary or airline: who is responsible?
Even if you book a trip through a portal at a total price, you usually enter into the contract directly with the airline. If the journey involves several airlines, you often have a separate contract with each one (3). You can recognise a single booking by the fact that one airline operates all the legs of the journey, or by a note such as ‘operated by’ indicating a codeshare arrangement (3).
Separate tickets: the biggest pitfall
- If you have made separate bookings, you will need to arrange alternatives yourself in the event of cancellations (3).
- If a flight is cancelled, you cannot simply cancel other flights free of charge (3).
- You may need to submit claims to each airline individually (3).
- If you have separate tickets, make sure to allow plenty of time to change flights – otherwise, no one will compensate you for a missed connection (1, 3).
Checklist before booking
- Who is flying which route? Look out for ‘operated by’ in the small print (3).
- Is it all part of one booking, or are there several tickets? (3)
- What is included in the price – hand luggage, suitcases, seat?
- Do the names match those on the identity document exactly?
- How long is the connection time, and do you need to re-check your luggage at the connecting airport?
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The following links lead to flight search engines. We may receive a commission when you make a booking; there are no additional costs for you. The list is in alphabetical order; we do not recommend any particular provider. Before booking, please check whether you are booking a single ticket or several separate tickets.
If something goes wrong
If your flight is delayed or cancelled, you may be entitled to up to 600 euros under EU law (1). Our guide to flight delay compensation explains how to check this and claim it yourself.
New EU rules from 2027 at the earliest
Following the political agreement reached in June 2026, hand luggage is to be included in the advertised fare in future; cheaper fares that do not include hand luggage will still be available. Airlines are to correct minor spelling mistakes in names free of charge. Until the rules come into force – from mid-2027 at the earliest – everything will remain as it is at present (2).
Please note: This page provides general information only and is not a substitute for legal advice. We do not recommend any specific provider. The circumstances of your individual case are decisive.
Sources
- Europäische Union – Your Europe: Fluggastrechte (last updated on 23 June 2026; accessed on 12 October 2026)
- Verbraucherzentrale: Neue EU-Fluggastrechte: Was gilt bei Erstattung, Handgepäck & Sitzplatz? (as at 18 June 2026; accessed on 12 October 2026)
- Verbraucherzentrale: Online-Portale sind bei Flugbuchungen nur Vermittler (as at 12 August 2026; accessed on 12 October 2026)