Delayed flight in the past? Claim compensation now

Perhaps you’re familiar with this situation: your flight was some time ago, and you can’t remember exactly how long the delay was. However, this information is crucial if you want to go back and check whether you are entitled to past flight delay compensation.

Even after your trip has ended, you can still track your flight’s actual arrival time. Various data sources allow you to verify past flight delays, providing the basis for a potential compensation claim.

AirHelp helps you quickly and easily determine your flight delay and claim up to €600 in compensation, minus our success fee.

Investigating a flight delay afterwards is worthwhile because it allows you to find out whether you can claim compensation, supplement missing information and protect your passenger rights.

Flight delays are not only annoying in the moment: often it only becomes clear later that you may be entitled to compensation. Even if your flight was some time ago, there are several good reasons to check the delay afterwards:

• Claim before the deadline: compensation claims don’t expire immediately. In many cases, you can still claim compensation long after your trip, so checking your flight delay can be worthwhile even months later.

• Obtain missing information: you don’t always have all your documents readily available during your trip. If you determine your flight delay afterward, you can specifically search for booking confirmations, emails or boarding passes and better substantiate your claims.

• Exercise your rights as an air passenger: the EU Air Passenger Rights Regulation gives you clear rights in the event of delays. Even if you only find out about the delay later, you can still claim compensation within the applicable time limits.

• Check risk-free: determining a flight delay after the fact is usually free and quick. Especially if you’re unsure, a quick check is worthwhile, as you could potentially receive compensation without any risk.

You can determine your flight delay retrospectively by checking the emails or text messages the airline sent you about the delay, or by accessing flight data on flight tracking websites that record actual arrival times.

If you wish to check your eligibility for compensation, one thing is crucial: the actual delay upon arrival at your final destination. According to EU Regulation EC 261, you are generally entitled to compensation if your flight arrived three hours late. The delay is measured to the moment the aircraft doors open, not to landing time, so a flight that looks just under 3 hours late on a flight tracking website may still qualify.

Our compensation checker is a user-friendly tool that helps you quickly find out whether you may be entitled to compensation for your delayed flight. Simply enter your flight details, such as flight number, date and departure airport, and the checker will automatically assess whether your flight may qualify under EU Regulation EC 261. The following factors are taken into account:

• The duration of the delay at your final destination.

• The flight route and associated compensation amounts.

• Whether there are extraordinary circumstances that preclude the claim.

If your past flight was indeed delayed, we’ll help you submit your claim.

Can’t remember your flight details? The free AirHelp Flight Tracker app can find them for you: connect your email or calendar, and it will check your trips from the last 3 years and let you know if any of them may qualify for compensation.

If you wish to claim compensation for a past flight delay, the more relevant documents you have on hand, the easier it will be to substantiate the delay and enforce any potential claim.

Key pieces of evidence include booking confirmations, airline emails, boarding passes, and other travel documents. These will not only help you locate your flight on flight tracking websites but also strengthen your position should you wish to claim compensation.

Here is what you need at a glance:

• Flight number, airline, date and time of flight.

• Email or SMS communication with the airline.

• Boarding pass or e-ticket or booking confirmation.

• Travel documents (e.g. passport or copy of identity card).

• Flight tracking results.

You already know that your flight must arrive three hours or more late to claim compensation. However, there are a few other conditions that must be met for you to be entitled to compensation.

You are entitled to compensation if:

• You arrive at your final destination 3 hours or more later than planned.

• You checked in on time, by the check-in deadline that applies to your flight.

• Your claim is still within the time limits, which vary depending on the country where the claim is filed.

• The delay was not caused by extraordinary circumstances. Issues such as maintenance or technical malfunctions are usually the airline’s responsibility.

• Your flight departed from an EU airport, or arrived at an EU airport from outside the EU and was operated by an EU-licensed airline (unless you already received benefits or compensation and assistance in the country of departure).

How much compensation are you entitled to?

Under EC 261, the maximum compensation per passenger depends on the flight distance:

• €250: all flights of 1,500 km or less.

• €400: flights within the EU over 1,500 km, and other flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km.

• €600: flights over 3,500 km, except flights within the EU.

AirHelp simplifies this process by taking on the legal burden for you. To successfully recover your compensation, our team evaluates every crucial element of your claim. Since 2013, our team of air passenger rights experts has helped millions of travelers worldwide navigate complex regulations and claim what they deserve.

We operate on a no-win, no-fee policy. Relax with total peace of mind while our legal team handles your claim and keeps you updated every step of the way.

AirHelp+ gives members extra benefits when their flight is delayed: lounge access, a fast payout for delays of 3 hours or more and, if you’re eligible, the full compensation you’re entitled to under EC 261, up to €600. This is how it works:

1. Register Your Trip: add your flight details via the AirHelp mobile app or online dashboard at least 48 hours before your scheduled departure.

2. Automated Tracking: our global flight tracking system monitors your flight status in real time. We’ll tell you when you qualify for payouts, compensation or a lounge pass.

3. Sit Back and Relax: we’ll send your AirHelp+ payout quickly and take care of your compensation claim with the airline.

With AirHelp+ you won’t pay service fees on your compensation.