Eurowings Flight Cancelled

TVH3382

I booked flights with Eurowings on Christmas Day to fly from Manchester to Stuttgart on Sunday 05/04/26 and return on Sunday 12/04/26. Eurowing informed us that the flight from Stuttgart to Manchester on 12/04/26 has been cancelled and rebooked on on their next flight which is Monday 13/04/26 at 7am. Due to work commitments this is not suitable. Eurowings are unwilling to fly us back on the Sunday with any other airline and can have to fly on the Monday or they will refund the cost of the return ticket.

Am I right that under EU regulations (EC261) they have a duty to get us back to Manchester on the same day even if it means with a different carrier? They say that because the flight was cancelled more than 14 days in advance they have no obligation to return us on the Sunday.

caprikid1

Does that not apply to flights in the future ? IE only applies if you were out there and had a flight cancelled ?

Sounds like this will be impossible for airlines to operate.

la531983

Also another problem is there actually arent any direct flight from Stuttgart to Manchester on that day.

TVH3382

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81907538#Comment_81907538

Yes, that does add to the problem but you can go by KLM to Asterdam and then Manchester.

Woodstok2000

More Than 14 days ahead of your flight it is not counted as a cancellation under EC261, so you're entitled to a refund or to accept the rerouting.

TVH3382

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81907621#Comment_81907621

This is taken from MSE website and seems to discount the 14 day rile.

Step 2: You're entitled to a refund or alternative flight

When an EU/UK-regulated flight is cancelled, however long before it was due to take off, you have a legal right to choose between...

• EITHER a refund for the flight that was cancelled.
• OR an alternative flight to your destination (airlines call this re-routing).

Here are the key need-to-knows:

• The airline is responsible, even if you booked via an online travel agency. The law is clear that it's the 'operating air carrier' (so the airline) which is responsible for refunding passengers when a flight is cancelled. So even if you booked with an online travel agency, it's the airline that's responsible if there are any issues.
• If you booked a package, the tour operator is responsible. If your cancelled flight was booked as part of a package holiday, the tour operator has to either get you an alternative flight, an alternative holiday or refund the whole holiday cost. If you need to make a claim, contact the tour operator.
• It doesn't define what "the earliest opportunity" means, but the Civil Aviation Authority said: "It is our view that passengers should be re-routed on the same day as their original flight and via the same route, but where this is not possible, their airline should instead identify alternative re-routing options which minimise the disruption to the journey plans of affected passengers. This could include travel with a different airline."
• You can insist on a different flight, but DON'T just book one yourself. In many cases, your airline should be able to put you on another of its scheduled flights – but if none of the options you're offered is suitable, you have a right to ask to be put on a new flight with a different airline. Push for this if it isn't offered.

Woodstok2000

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81907632#Comment_81907632

This is the first part of that guide - EC261 only applies within 14 days. Outside that your flight is being rescheduled rathrr than cancelled:

bagand96

There's a lot of misunderstanding of the rules on this thread!

The OP is correct, they are entitled to re-routing on their original travel date. Under EC261 when a flight is cancelled the passenger is entitled to their choice of refund or rerouting.

The 14 days rule is in respect of compensation only, there is no timescale attached to the reimbursement/rerouting entitlement (Article 8). The MSE Guide even states this

When an EU/UK-regulated flight is cancelled, however long before it was due to take off, you have a legal right to choose between...

EITHER a refund for the flight that was cancelled.

OR an alternative flight to your destination (airlines call this re-routing).

The Eurowings offer of next day would not be deemed earliest available opportunity. If they won't book you on another carrier, then book it yourself and claim back from them. Eurowings are part of Lufthansa group and there are a number of one stop options with Lufthansa/Swiss so I'd push Eurowings harder for a rebooking first.