Berlin Brandenburg Willy Brandt Airport (BER)
EU AirportBER / EDDB · DE · Berlin
Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER): Passenger Guide & Your Rights
Berlin Brandenburg Airport "Willy Brandt" is the sole commercial airport serving Germany's capital, having replaced the historic Tegel (TXL) and Schönefeld (SXF) airports when it finally opened in October 2020 after years of delays. Handling approximately 25 million passengers per year, BER serves as a base for easyJet (its largest carrier), Ryanair, and Eurowings. The airport offers extensive European coverage and a growing number of long-haul routes, with airlines including Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, and several Middle Eastern carriers.
EC261 Legal Status - Berlin Brandenburg Airport
All flights departing from Berlin Brandenburg Airport are fully covered by EU Regulation EC261/2004, regardless of airline or destination. For flights arriving at BER from outside the EU, coverage applies only if the operating airline is EU-registered. Germany has a 3-year limitation period for EC261 claims. The German National Enforcement Body is the LBA (Luftfahrt-Bundesamt / Federal Aviation Office).
€250 - €600
Compensation depends on flight distance: under 1,500 km qualifies for €250, between 1,500 km and 3,500 km qualifies for €400, and over 3,500 km qualifies for €600 per passenger.
- BER → MUC (Munich, ~470 km): €250
- BER → LHR (London Heathrow, ~930 km): €250
- BER → BCN (Barcelona, ~1,500 km): €250
- BER → IST (Istanbul, ~1,730 km): €400
- BER → JFK (New York, ~6,380 km): €600
The airport has two terminal buildings. Terminal 1 (T1) is the main building, handling most scheduled and legacy carriers across two piers (north and south). Terminal 2 (T2) is a simpler facility adjacent to T1, primarily used by low-cost carriers during peak periods. Terminal 5 (the former Schönefeld airport) was briefly kept open but has been closed for renovation. All current operations are in Terminals 1 and 2, which are connected on foot.
BER is connected to central Berlin by the Airport Express (FEX) train to Berlin Hauptbahnhof (approximately 30 minutes), S-Bahn lines S9 and S45, regional trains, and bus services. The airport is located southeast of Berlin in Brandenburg. Continental weather patterns mean cold winters with occasional snow and ice, and summer thunderstorms, can both cause disruptions.
Not every disruption qualifies for compensation. Understanding the most common causes of delays at this airport can help you assess your claim.
Disruption Causes
Common Disruptions at Berlin Brandenburg Airport
- Winter weather including snow, ice, and freezing fog requires extensive de-icing operations that cause delays, particularly in December through February
- As a relatively new airport, BER has experienced operational teething problems including baggage handling issues and gate allocation inefficiencies
- easyJet's high-frequency operation from BER means delays on one aircraft affect multiple subsequent rotations across its Berlin-based fleet
- Security checkpoint capacity has been a persistent issue, with long queues during morning peak departures causing passengers to miss flights
- German ATC restrictions and flow regulation, particularly in the congested airspace around Berlin, Frankfurt, and Munich, cause departure delays
What to Do When Disrupted at Berlin Brandenburg Airport
If your flight is disrupted at BER, find your airline's service desk. easyJet's customer service point is in Terminal 1. Ryanair and other low-cost carriers have desks in the check-in area. Eurowings and Lufthansa share service facilities. During major disruptions, the airport provides information through its digital screens, website, and app - BER's information systems are modern given the airport's recent construction.
Step-by-Step
Your Action Plan at Berlin
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1
Document the disruption - photograph departure boards, save notifications, and note exact delay times
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2
Visit the airline's service desk and request a written statement of the disruption cause
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3
Claim your right to care - meals after the delay threshold, hotel and transport for overnight delays
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4
Keep all receipts for food, transport, and accommodation expenses
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5
File your EC261 claim - Germany's 3-year limitation period and free SÖP mediation make claiming straightforward
Document the disruption immediately. Photograph departure boards, save all airline notifications, and request a written statement of the disruption cause. Germany has well-established EC261 case law, and German courts (particularly the Amtsgericht in Berlin-Schönefeld or Berlin-Köpenick) handle these cases regularly. The SÖP (Schlichtungsstelle für den öffentlichen Personenverkehr) also provides free mediation.
Under EC261, your airline must provide care: meals and refreshments after the applicable delay threshold, and hotel accommodation with transport for overnight disruptions. BER has nearby hotels (Steigenberger, Holiday Inn Express) and the Airport Express provides quick access to Berlin city centre hotels. Keep all receipts for expenses the airline fails to cover.
Claiming Tip - Germany
Germany's SÖP (Schlichtungsstelle für den öffentlichen Personenverkehr) provides free mediation for flight compensation disputes. Most major airlines operating from BER participate in the SÖP scheme. If the airline rejects your claim, file with SÖP before going to court - it's faster and costs nothing. If mediation fails, the Amtsgericht (local court) handles EC261 cases through a streamlined process. Germany's 3-year limitation period gives you adequate time to pursue your claim through all available channels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to the most common questions about claiming EC261 compensation for flights at this airport.
Is BER's security queue delay the airline's problem?
Airport security delays are generally the airport's responsibility, not the airline's - so they do not normally give rise to EC261 compensation claims against the airline. However, if you missed your flight specifically because the airline's check-in process was too slow (causing you to reach security too late), that may be the airline's fault. If the airline cancelled or delayed the flight itself due to knock-on effects of airport security issues, EC261 applies normally. Document everything and file a claim - the circumstances will determine liability.
Can I claim for a Eurowings or easyJet delay at BER?
Yes. Both Eurowings and easyJet are EU-registered airlines operating from an EU airport, so EC261 fully applies. Both airlines process claims through their respective websites. easyJet has a dedicated claims portal, and Eurowings (as part of the Lufthansa Group) has its own online claims process. If rejected, use the free SÖP mediation service - both airlines participate in this scheme.
Airport Information
Check Your Compensation
Enter your flight details to see if you qualify for up to €600 per person.