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Airline Delay Compensation EU

Unfortunately, airline delays occur all the time. But legislation exists that allows passengers to do something about it. A European Union regulation known as 261/2004 enables travellers to set this right following serious delays. In this article, we'll explain what kind of airline delay compensation EU regulations provide and how to make a successful claim.

Here's an overview of the key elements concerning airline delay compensation:

  • EU regulation insight: EU 261/2004 empowers passengers to claim up to £520 for serious flight delays, guided by specific conditions.

  • Claim eligibility criteria: Delays exceeding 3 hours qualify, recorded at arrival, and must result from airline fault; external events may still warrant exploration.

  • Global coverage: EU regulations apply to flights departing from or landing in EU countries, including Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, and those operated by EU airlines, even covering UK airports.

  • Varied compensation: Amounts vary based on delay duration and distance traveled; AirHelp simplifies claims on a no-win, no-fee basis.

  • Easy claim process: AirHelp makes the process stress-free; check compensation risk-free by entering flight details on their website.

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European Regulations Travellers Need to Know

EU 261 has been in force since 2004, and is used by many travellers across the EU. It sets out a series of conditions which airlines have to meet. If they fail to do so, passengers can claim financial compensation. In some cases, the amount of airline delay compensation EU travellers have claimed has totalled £520. But what situations does the regulation apply to? Not all delays are covered. For instance, the delay must be longer than 3 hours to qualify, and it has to be recorded at the point of arrival.

So if your flight leaves 3 hours late but makes up time during the journey, you probably aren't eligible for compensation. Flights that take place outside the EU or the European Economic Area aren't covered. However, any flight that takes off from an airport in the EU or countries like Switzerland, Iceland, and Norway could be eligible, as well as flights landing there that are operated by an EU airline. This includes flights to and from UK airports. The delay must also be the fault of the airline - so extreme weather events are often not covered. But it may be worth exploring the options, as airlines can be responsible for poor responses to external events. Finally, the amount paid out as delay compensation varies depending on the scale of the delay and the distance travelled. Contact AirHelp and make a claim to see how much compensation you could receive.

AirHelp is here to help you get compensation for flight delays and cancellations. Find out what you could be entitled to.

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About AirHelp

AirHelp is the world's largest air passenger rights organisation, here to help air travellers secure compensation for delayed, cancelled, or overbooked flights .

We make claiming compensation easy and stress-free. Whether you are unsure of your rights, lack the time, or simply want an expert to handle your entire claim for you, AirHelp can help you get what you are rightfully owed.

We operate on a no win, no fee basis, so you can check your compensation risk-free.


Claiming Compensation for Flight Delays and Cancellations

How do you know when you should claim compensation for a delayed or cancelled flight? Though the law can be complicated, we're here to break it down for you:

Delayed flights: you may be able to claim compensation if your flight arrived 3 hours or more late.
Cancelled flights: you may be eligible for compensation if your flight was cancelled less than 14 days before it was due to depart.
Overbookings: you are owed compensation any time you are denied boarding through no fault of your own — so long as you didn't voluntarily give up your seat.

We should note that if extraordinary circumstances were involved, arirlines are under no obligation to pay compensation. Examples of extraordinary circumstances include bad weather, travel restrictions, and air traffic control strikes. Though these situations cause delays and cancellations, the airline isn't at fault, so can't be expected to offer compensation.

Remember these are European flight regulations and so only apply to flights departing from an EU airport, or flights landing in the EU with a European airline. The table below makes it clear which flights are covered:

Claim up to £520 in compensation if your flight has been delayed, cancelled, or overbooked within the last 3 years.

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How Much Flight Compensation?

DistanceCompensation
All flights under 1,500 kmUp to £220 per person
Internal EU flights over 1,500 kmUp to £350 per person
Non-internal EU flights between 1,500 - 3,500 kmUp to £350 per person
Non-internal EU flights over 3,500 kmUp to £520 per person

Table shows values in € as specified in EC 261

In some circumstances the compensation amount may differ from the standard amounts shown above. The easiest way to find out what you’re owed is to use our Compensation Check.


What to Do if Your Flight is Delayed or Cancelled

If you experience a flight delay or cancellation, here's what you should do:

  • Hold onto your boarding pass and other travel documents.

  • Ask why the flight was delayed or cancelled.

  • Request food, drinks, and if necessary, free transport and hotel accommodation.

  • If you had a cancelled flight, ask for an alternative flight or a refund.

  • Keep all receipts of any extra expenses you may have had, including necessary food, clothing, etc.

  • Be careful not to sign any waivers or accept vouchers that will require you to waive your right to compensation.

Have AirHelp claim your compensation

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Recent delays and cancellations

Airline (e.g. Lufthansa)

Departure airport (e.g. Frankfurt or FRA)

Date

Flight number

Airline

Route

Status

14/07/2025

17:00

LH119

Lufthansa

Munich (MUC)

Frankfurt (FRA)

CancelledCheck Compensation

14/07/2025

15:30

LH9931

Lufthansa

Cologne-Bonn (CGN)

Frankfurt (FRA)

DelayedCheck Compensation

14/07/2025

13:05

JU103

Air Serbia

Bucharest (OTP)

Belgrade (BEG)

DelayedCheck Compensation

14/07/2025

12:00

4M4022

Mavi Gök Havacılık A.S.

Antalya (AYT)

Bucharest (OTP)

DelayedCheck Compensation

14/07/2025

11:10

JU102

Air Serbia

Belgrade (BEG)

Bucharest (OTP)

DelayedCheck Compensation

14/07/2025

09:30

5O172

Asl Airlines France

Algiers (ALG)

Paris (ORY)

DelayedCheck Compensation

14/07/2025

08:45

AA9602

American Airlines

Rome (FCO)

New York (JFK)

CancelledCheck Compensation

14/07/2025

06:25

YU612

Euroatlantic Airways

Bucharest (OTP)

Lisbon (LIS)

DelayedCheck Compensation

14/07/2025

06:05

EW763

Eurowings

Zurich (ZRH)

Cologne-Bonn (CGN)

CancelledCheck Compensation

14/07/2025

04:30

C79303

Cinnamon Air

Colombo (CMB)

Sigiriya (GIU)

CancelledCheck Compensation
Your flight isn't here? Use our full compensation check and we'll look into it. Check your flight
  • LH119

    Lufthansa

    Cancelled

    Munich

    Frankfurt

    MUC

    FRA

    14/07/2025

    17:00

    Check Compensation
  • LH9931

    Lufthansa

    Delayed

    Cologne-Bonn

    Frankfurt

    CGN

    FRA

    14/07/2025

    15:30

    Check Compensation
  • JU103

    Air Serbia

    Delayed

    Bucharest

    Belgrade

    OTP

    BEG

    14/07/2025

    13:05

    Check Compensation
  • 4M4022

    Mavi Gök Havacılık A.S.

    Delayed

    Antalya

    Bucharest

    AYT

    OTP

    14/07/2025

    12:00

    Check Compensation
  • JU102

    Air Serbia

    Delayed

    Belgrade

    Bucharest

    BEG

    OTP

    14/07/2025

    11:10

    Check Compensation
  • 5O172

    Asl Airlines France

    Delayed

    Algiers

    Paris

    ALG

    ORY

    14/07/2025

    09:30

    Check Compensation
  • AA9602

    American Airlines

    Cancelled

    Rome

    New York

    FCO

    JFK

    14/07/2025

    08:45

    Check Compensation
  • YU612

    Euroatlantic Airways

    Delayed

    Bucharest

    Lisbon

    OTP

    LIS

    14/07/2025

    06:25

    Check Compensation
  • EW763

    Eurowings

    Cancelled

    Zurich

    Cologne-Bonn

    ZRH

    CGN

    14/07/2025

    06:05

    Check Compensation
  • C79303

    Cinnamon Air

    Cancelled

    Colombo

    Sigiriya

    CMB

    GIU

    14/07/2025

    04:30

    Check Compensation
Your flight isn't here? Use our full compensation check and we'll look into it. Check your flight

More airlines we can help you get compensation:

Easyjet

AirHelp is a part of the Association of Passenger Rights Advocates (APRA) whose mission is to promote and protect passengers’ rights.

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