EU Flight Delay Rights

EU flight delay rights are protected by a piece of legislation called EC 261. This law protects customers flying from, and in certain cases to, EU airports. If you have experienced flight disruption, you may be eligible to up to £520 and you'll have at least three years in which to submit your claim. Worried about the process or understanding the details of the law? AirHelp makes it easy. We have helped millions of travellers around the world to understand their flight rights. We also manage compensation claims on behalf of our customers to save them time and to make the process as easy as possible.

Wondering whether you might be eligible for a flight delay compensation claim? Just input your details into our website and our database will tell you whether your flight was subject to delay or disruption. We can then help you to submit your claim and manage the process for you end-to-end. Don't be like the 55% of people who know that they are eligible for compensation, but who don't submit a claim because the process seems too difficult! AirHelp makes it quick, easy, and free to do - in just a few clicks.

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.

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:

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.

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.