Which? has welcomed the new EU regulations which compel airlines to offer compensation packages in the event of overbooking, cancellation and delays.

These regulations were initially opposed by the government. Emma Harrison, campaigner at Which? said: "Airlines have often failed to offer travellers the sums to which they are entitled.

"Now that the law extends passengers' rights to compensation when an airline seriously delays them, airlines won't be able to pull the wool over their customers' eyes any more.

"It's common knowledge that airlines over-book flights.escape_overseas "It's great to see the European Commission standing up for passengers and refusing to be intimidated by legal action from the International Air Transport Association."

The rules have not been welcomed by low-cost carriers. escape_overseas Here are the main points.

* If you are denied boarding or your flight is cancelled, the airline operating your flight must offer you financial compensation and assistance.

* These rights apply, provided you check in on time, for any flight, including charters, from an EU airport, or to an EU airport from one outside the EU, operated by an EU airline.

* When there are too many passengers for seats available (denied boarding), an airline must ask for volunteers to give up their seats in return for agreed benefits.

* These must include either a refund (with a free flight back to your initial point of departure, when relevant) or alternative transport to your final destination.

* If you are not a volunteer, the airline must pay you compensation of £173 (250 euros) for flights less than 932 miles (1,500km), £276 (400 euros) for longer flights within the EU, and for other flights between 932 and 2,175 miles (1,500 and 3,500km), and £415 (600 euros) for flights more than 2,175 miles (3,500km) outside the EU.

* Whenever a flight is cancelled, the operating airline must give you a choice of either a refund of your ticket (with a free flight back to your initial point of departure, when relevant) or alternative transport to your final destination, and meals, refreshments and hotel accommodation when necessary (including transfers) and communication facilities.

* The airline may also have to compensate you, at the same level as for denied boarding, unless it gives you sufficient notice and offers alternative transport close to the original time.

* Compensation or refunds may be in cash, by bank transfer or cheque or, with your signed agreement, in travel vouchers, and must be paid within seven days.

* If you check in on time for any flight, including charters when operated by an EU airline, and if the airline operating the flight expects a delay of two hours or more for flights less than 932 miles (1,500km), of three hours or more for longer flights within the EU and for other flights between 932 and 2,175 miles (1,500 and 3,500km), and of four hours or more for flights of more than 2,175 miles (3,500km) outside the EU, the airline must provide you meals and refreshments, hotel accommodation when necessary (including transfers) and reasonable communication facilities.

* When the delay is five hours or more, the airline must also offer to refund your ticket (with a free flight back to your initial point of departure, when relevant).