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Koblenz Court Rejects Payout for Missed Flight Tied to Rail&Fly Delays

Judges held that the operator’s three‑to‑three‑and‑a‑half‑hour airport arrival rule is binding because Rail&Fly is part of the package.

Overview

  • The Regional Court in Koblenz dismissed a traveler’s claim for 50% of the trip price after a missed flight caused by delayed train connections (Az. 16 O 43/24).
  • The couple chose an itinerary that, even if on time, would have reached Frankfurt Airport 2 hours and 32 minutes before departure, short of the tour operator’s stated buffer for non‑EU flights.
  • The court treated Rail&Fly with open train choice as a component of the package, allowing the organizer to set abstract arrival rules that allocate risk to travelers who cut timing too close.
  • Judges said the late check‑in was the travelers’ responsibility and noted the tight planning given the Deutsche Bahn’s known unreliability.
  • In a separate ruling reported the same day, the Local Court of Böblingen ordered compensation where a traveler largely met the recommended buffer, underscoring that adequate margin can preserve claims.