EU Flight Cancellation Compensation

Air travel can be frustrating for passengers if a booked flight is cancelled. EU legislation EC 261/2004 protects passengers as it guarantees compensation in such cases. Passengers can claim a tidy sum of up to £520 for flight cancellation, sometimes even after the airline has arranged a replacement flight. However, the airline is not obliged to pay out if they issued notice of the cancellation more than 14 days before the flight was due to depart.

Let's explore some points regarding EU flight cancellation compensation:

  • EU flight protection: EC 261/2004 ensures passengers receive compensation, up to £520, for flight cancellations, easing frustrations caused by unexpected changes.

  • Eligibility criteria: Compensation is available if the cancelled flight departs from or lands in the EU, with conditions including significant delays on replacement flights.

  • No obligation for early notices: Airlines are not obligated to compensate if they notify passengers of cancellations more than 14 days before departure.

  • Clear compensation tiers: Compensation amounts, ranging from £220 to £520, depend on the distance traveled and the delay duration, as per EU regulations.

  • AirHelp assistance: AirHelp simplifies the claims process, ensuring passengers easily navigate their entitlements, operating on a hassle-free, no win, no fee basis.

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Compensation for Cancelled Flights: What Does European Law State?

In the event of a cancelled flight, EU legislation provides various forms of protection for passengers. Regulation EC 261/2004 indeed stipulates specific forms of assistance and compensation for flight cancellations:

  • Information: airlines must inform passengers of their rights.

  • Refund or re-routing: passengers can choose between a ticket refund or re-allocation to another flight to the same final destination.

  • Assistance: in case of prolonged waits, passengers must be provided with assistance including food, drinks, access to communications, and, if necessary, accommodation.

  • Compensation: in addition to the above, in the event of flight cancellation, European law EC261 also provides for the possibility of compensation.


Cancelled Flight EU: Are You Eligible for Compensation?

There are a few aspects that determine if you are eligible for compensation.

First, the cancelled flight must have been scheduled to take off from an airport in the EU - regardless of where in the world the airline is based. Compensation may also be available for cancelled flights that were scheduled to land in the EU, as long as they were with an EU-based airline.

Additionally, the arrival time of the replacement flight should have varied considerably from the original flight plan.

Finally, the reason for the flight cancellation must not have been due to extraordinary circumstances such as turbulent storms or political issues.

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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What Is the Amount of EU Compensation for Cancelled Flights?

You could be owed up to £220 in compensation for cancelled flights that were less than 932 miles (1500km) where the replacement flight arrives at its destination 2 hours later than the originally scheduled one, and £110 if it arrives within 2 hours. For flights over 932 miles (1,500km), you could be owed £350 if the replacement is over 3 hours late, £175 if it is less. Finally, for flights over 2,175 miles (3,500km) you could be owed £520 if the replacement is over 4 hours late, and £260 if it is less.

How to Calculate Compensation for a Cancelled Flight in the EU

To help you calculate the compensation for cancelled flights in Europe, we have created the table below, which covers the main scenarios:

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

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 Checker.

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

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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, airlines 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:


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.

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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

12/12/2024

08:20

MF8049

Xiamen Airlines Company

Hangzhou (HGH)

Shenyang (SHE)

CancelledCheck Compensation

12/12/2024

08:20

G54047

China Express Airlines

Kashi (KHG)

Qitai (JBK)

CancelledCheck Compensation

12/12/2024

08:20

WB602

Rwandair Express

Kamembe (KME)

Kigali (KGL)

CancelledCheck Compensation

12/12/2024

08:20

WZ1053

Red Wings Airlines

Yekaterinburg (SVX)

Gorno-altaysk (RGK)

CancelledCheck Compensation

12/12/2024

08:20

JR1611

Joy Air

Yantai (YNT)

Dalian (DLC)

CancelledCheck Compensation

12/12/2024

08:20

MU5477

China Eastern Airlines

Chengdu (TFU)

Nanchang (KHN)

CancelledCheck Compensation

12/12/2024

08:20

MF8049

Xiamen Airlines Company

Hangzhou (HGH)

Shenyang (SHE)

CancelledCheck Compensation

12/12/2024

08:20

SG387

SpiceJet

Mumbai (BOM)

Gorakhpur (GOP)

CancelledCheck Compensation

12/12/2024

08:20

CZ8581

China Southern Airlines

Shenzhen (SZX)

Lijiang (LJG)

CancelledCheck Compensation

12/12/2024

08:20

CA4560

Air China

Nanjing (NKG)

Chongqing (CKG)

CancelledCheck Compensation
Your flight isn't here? Use our full compensation check and we'll look into it. Check your flight
  • MF8049

    Xiamen Airlines Company

    Cancelled

    Hangzhou

    Shenyang

    HGH

    SHE

    12/12/2024

    08:20

    Check Compensation
  • G54047

    China Express Airlines

    Cancelled

    Kashi

    Qitai

    KHG

    JBK

    12/12/2024

    08:20

    Check Compensation
  • WB602

    Rwandair Express

    Cancelled

    Kamembe

    Kigali

    KME

    KGL

    12/12/2024

    08:20

    Check Compensation
  • WZ1053

    Red Wings Airlines

    Cancelled

    Yekaterinburg

    Gorno-altaysk

    SVX

    RGK

    12/12/2024

    08:20

    Check Compensation
  • JR1611

    Joy Air

    Cancelled

    Yantai

    Dalian

    YNT

    DLC

    12/12/2024

    08:20

    Check Compensation
  • MU5477

    China Eastern Airlines

    Cancelled

    Chengdu

    Nanchang

    TFU

    KHN

    12/12/2024

    08:20

    Check Compensation
  • MF8049

    Xiamen Airlines Company

    Cancelled

    Hangzhou

    Shenyang

    HGH

    SHE

    12/12/2024

    08:20

    Check Compensation
  • SG387

    SpiceJet

    Cancelled

    Mumbai

    Gorakhpur

    BOM

    GOP

    12/12/2024

    08:20

    Check Compensation
  • CZ8581

    China Southern Airlines

    Cancelled

    Shenzhen

    Lijiang

    SZX

    LJG

    12/12/2024

    08:20

    Check Compensation
  • CA4560

    Air China

    Cancelled

    Nanjing

    Chongqing

    NKG

    CKG

    12/12/2024

    08:20

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

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