EU Court: Airlines Must Cover Costs for Stranded Travelers

Have to pay for food, shelter when flights are canceled

Air carriers must cover accommodation, transportation and food when canceled flights displace travelers, the EU's high court ruled Thursday.

They need not compensate travelers, however, if they can prove that extraordinary circumstances caused the flight cancelation, according to the 12-page decision.

The Court of Justice for the European Union took up the issue to resolve the lawsuit against Ryan Air brought in Ireland by Denise McDonagh.