Mallorca Judges Support Air Passengers: Compensation Must Be Paid

Judges in Mallorca Stand Up for Passengers

Anyone climbing the steps to the provincial court in Palma senses the island's everyday worries: a rental dispute here, a noise complaint there, and again and again travelers who want to assert their rights because of a delayed flight. In recent months the court has issued a number of decisions that make clear which side it takes: that of the passengers.

No More Excuses for Online Claims Agencies

The core of the rulings: airlines can no longer hide behind clauses that reject claims merely because they were filed via compensation platforms. The court refers to a decision by the European Court of Justice and declares the practice inadmissible. In short: if a carrier admits a delay, it cannot block follow-up costs and compensation simply because a third party transmitted the claim.

Concrete example: a class action by around 20 passengers on an Alicante–Palma flight that was more than three hours late. The airline acknowledged the delay but did not pay. The court recommended a simple solution: payout instead of long justifications. In other cases judges approved sums that in individual cases amounted to up to €4,800.

What This Means for Travelers

Short and practical: keep your boarding pass, booking confirmation and receipts. First, file a claim with the airline. If nothing happens, the conciliation body can help — since April an EU efficiency law foresees mediation before court proceedings. And yes: even if you use an online platform, the airline may not refuse payment for that reason alone.

A bit of real talk: airlines are not always acting in bad faith, often procedures are complex and customer service teams overwhelmed. But that does not change legal obligations. The judges warn clearly: carriers that continue to block payments must expect legal consequences.

Practical Tips

• First point of contact: an official written complaint to the airline.
• Documentation: photos of departure boards, delay times, and receipts for additional costs.
• Before you get nervous: check conciliation routes. Many cases can be resolved out of court.
• If necessary: the provincial court in Palma frequently allows simple claims without a lawyer.

In the end, this is a small relief for anyone who has stood at the baggage carousel waiting for their rights: the courts in Mallorca signal that they take travelers' rights seriously. And that's worth something — especially if you've ever had to spend an extra night in Palma because of a delayed flight.