How To Claim For Cancelled Flight
EU flight legislation provides comprehensive protection for consumers who find that their flight has been cancelled at short notice due to unforeseen circumstances. A cancelled flight is defined as a flight which no longer departs as was planned and on which at least one place was reserved. If this happens, consumers are protected under EU legislation. It is useful to know your rights in the event that you cannot fly to your destination, as you may be entitled to financial compensation.
Your rights if a flight is cancelled
This website will show you how to claim for a flight which has been cancelled at short notice. Under the EU legislation EC 261/2004, you may be entitled to up to £520 in compensation, even if the airline has arranged an alternative flight. To be covered, the legislation stipulates that your cancelled flight must have departed from a country within the EU or landed within the EU, if the airline is registered there.
You are eligible for compensation if you were told about the cancellation within 14 days before the departure date, or if you opted for an alternative flight but your arrival at your destination was significantly disrupted. The cancellation also must have occurred within the last three years on a confirmed flight. Lastly, the flight cancellation must have been due to circumstances which are the responsibility of the airline such as technical issues, strikes, or operational problems.
AirHelp is here to help you get compensation for flight delays and cancellations. Find out what you could be entitled to.
All airlines
All countries
No win, no fee
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.
All airlines
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.
Have AirHelp claim your compensation
All airlines
All countries
No win, no fee
airline delay compensation
can i claim for a delayed flight
flight delay money back
denied boarding compensation
flight compensation checker
how to claim compensation for cancelled flight
eu flight delay rules
EC 261
How to Claim Flight Compensation
Flight Delay Compensation Rules
eu regulation 261 2004
how much compensation for a delayed flight
eu airline compensation
eu flight compensation
EC 261 compensation
claim compensation for delayed flight
airline delay claim
flight delay rights
how long flight delay for compensation
plane delay compensation
claim for late flight
claim money back for delayed flight
flight delay repay
eu delay compensation
late flight compensation
international flight delay compensation
can i claim compensation for a delayed flight
claim compensation for cancelled flight
flight delays uk
eu compensation