desk jockey, can you clarify this statement,
"For goodness' sake, how often does it need to be said - the new EU regulation does NOT require airlines to reimburse passengers for lengthy delays."
Because everything i have read confirms that passengers will be compensated for
1) being bumped off a flight
2) a flight being cancelled, and
3) long departure delays.
This includes the press release from the European Airlines Association which includes, amongst many others, British Airways. This is from their press release:
"There is also provision for assistance in the case of long delay including overnight accommodation if necessary. In the case the passenger chooses to abandon his travel plans, the delayed airline must reimburse him the entire cost of the journey, including sectors already travelled."