EU Compensation
Did you know that each year thousands of people are entitled to compensation that they do not claim? EC 261 is legislation that covers many, if not all, of the most frustrating moments you've had at an airport. It makes it the airline's problem when things go badly wrong. In short, you are entitled to EU compensation in the event of a flight cancellation, delay or if you're denied boarding - unless any of these occurred due to extraordinary circumstances beyond the airline's control. So, if you look out your terminal window and can't find your plane because it's obscured by a snow blizzard, you might be out of luck. For almost everything else, it makes sense to know your rights!
Let's explore some key points regarding EU compensation:
EC 261 compensation rights: Discover your entitlement to compensation for flight delays, cancellations, or denied boarding under EC 261, covering frustrating airport situations.
EU compensation benefits: Learn about financial compensation up to £520, along with free meals, communication, and hotel stays for qualifying delays, cancellations, or boarding denials.
AirHelp assistance: The world's largest air passenger rights organization, ensures a stress-free claiming process, offering expertise for those unsure of their rights.
EU flight regulations: Understand EU flight regulations and compensation coverage for flights departing from or landing in the EU with a European airline, based on distance.
Claiming process guidelines: Get a clear breakdown of when to claim compensation for delayed or cancelled flights, with easy compensation checks using our tool.
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All countries
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Find out what you're entitled to when things go wrong on your EU flight
So, how do you know if your flight falls under the EU compensation act EC 261? Most routes within Europe are covered, even those not officially travelling within EU airspace. Many international flights are also covered if they are due to land in the EU and are operated by an EU-based carrier. If you are confused, insist that the airline inform you of your rights. They may not go out of their way to highlight the fact, but EC 261 includes an obligation for airlines to make passengers aware of any compensation they may be entitled to.
And what are those compensations? For delays, cancellations and denials of boarding, passengers are entitled to financial compensation of up to £520 as well as access to free meals, communication and hotel stays when required. Get lucky with your alternate flight and you may even find yourself sipping on champagne with an upgrade at no extra charge!
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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All countries
No Win, No Fee
How Much Flight Compensation?
Distance | Compensation |
---|---|
All flights under 1,500 km | Up to £220 per person |
Internal EU flights over 1,500 km | Up to £350 per person |
Non-internal EU flights between 1,500 - 3,500 km | Up to £350 per person |
Non-internal EU flights over 3,500 km | Up 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.
Recent delays and cancellations
Date | Flight number | Airline | Route | Status | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
05/07/2025 | 11:30 | VND944 | Unknown | Naples (NAP) Palermo (PMO) | Delayed | Check Compensation |
05/07/2025 | 08:35 | BZ252 | Bluebird Airways | Tel Aviv-Yafo (TLV) Barcelona (BCN) | Delayed | Check Compensation |
05/07/2025 | 08:05 | SK2865 | Sas Norway | Bergen (BGO) Copenhagen (CPH) | Cancelled | Check Compensation |
04/07/2025 | 05:10 | VT359 | Air Tahiti | Raiatea Island (RFP) Huahine (HUH) | Cancelled | Check Compensation |
05/07/2025 | 05:00 | C79701 | Cinnamon Air | Colombo (CMB) Hatton (NUF) | Cancelled | Check Compensation |
05/07/2025 | 05:00 | C79101 | Cinnamon Air | Colombo (CMB) Kandy (KDW) | Cancelled | Check Compensation |
04/07/2025 | 05:00 | VB3237 | Vivaaerobus | Puerto Vallarta (PVR) Guadalajara (GDL) | Cancelled | Check Compensation |
05/07/2025 | 05:00 | ST936 | Air Thanlwin | Thandwe (SNW) Heho (HEH) | Cancelled | Check Compensation |
05/07/2025 | 04:50 | ID6789 | Batik Air | Mamuju (MJU) Ujung Pandang (UPG) | Cancelled | Check Compensation |
- Delayed
VND944
•Unknown
Naples
••Palermo
NAP
PMO
Check Compensation05/07/2025
11:30
- Delayed
BZ252
•Bluebird Airways
Tel Aviv-Yafo
••Barcelona
TLV
BCN
Check Compensation05/07/2025
08:35
- Cancelled
SK2865
•Sas Norway
Bergen
••Copenhagen
BGO
CPH
Check Compensation05/07/2025
08:05
- Cancelled
VT359
•Air Tahiti
Raiatea Island
••Huahine
RFP
HUH
Check Compensation04/07/2025
05:10
- Cancelled
C79701
•Cinnamon Air
Colombo
••Hatton
CMB
NUF
Check Compensation05/07/2025
05:00
- Cancelled
C79101
•Cinnamon Air
Colombo
••Kandy
CMB
KDW
Check Compensation05/07/2025
05:00
- Cancelled
VB3237
•Vivaaerobus
Puerto Vallarta
••Guadalajara
PVR
GDL
Check Compensation04/07/2025
05:00
- Cancelled
ST936
•Air Thanlwin
Thandwe
••Heho
SNW
HEH
Check Compensation05/07/2025
05:00
- Cancelled
ID6789
•Batik Air
Mamuju
••Ujung Pandang
MJU
UPG
Check Compensation05/07/2025
04:50