Airline Passenger Bill Of Rights

The European Union has developed a regulation known as EC 261/2004 to protect air passengers' rights. This means that the airlines are responsible for certain events and mean that passengers can be compensated. If you have had a flight delay longer than three hours, were denied boarding on to your booked flight, had a cancellation to a scheduled flight within 14 days of the departure, or were rerouted during your flight, and this happened within the last three years, you should get familiar with the airline passenger regulations. However, these regulations don't apply if the event was caused by a extraordinary circumstances.

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Information regarding airline passenger bill of rights

EC 261/2004 is one of the most comprehensive airline passenger bills of rights in the world. It protects passengers who traveled from a European airport or traveled into Europe with a European carrier from any destination around the world. This bill of rights created for the airline passengers' protection means that if they experience problems while flying and their flight meets the necessary criteria, they can enforce their rights and claim up to $650 per person for compensation.

However, these regulations may not be enforced if the cause of the inconvenience was an extraordinary circumstance, such as inclement weather conditions, security risks, hidden manufacturing defects, and medical emergencies.

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 organization, here to help air travelers secure compensation for delayed, canceled, 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 canceled 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.
Canceled flights: you may be eligible for compensation if your flight was canceled 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 $650 in compensation if your flight has been delayed, canceled, or overbooked within the last 3 years.

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How Much Flight Compensation?

DistanceCompensation
All flights under 1,500 kmUp to $270 per person
Internal EU flights over 1,500 kmUp to $430 per person
Non-internal EU flights between 1,500 - 3,500 kmUp to $430 per person
Non-internal EU flights over 3,500 kmUp to €600 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 Calculator.


What to Do if Your Flight is Delayed or Canceled

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 canceled.

  • Request food, drinks, and if necessary, free transport and hotel accommodation.

  • If you had a canceled 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

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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

02/15/2025

1:15 AM

VN7268

Vietnam Airlines

Ho Chi Minh City (SGN)

Vinh City (VII)

CanceledCheck Compensation

02/15/2025

12:35 AM

SU2852

Aeroflot Russian Airlines

Saint Petersburg (LED)

Orenburg (REN)

CanceledCheck Compensation

02/15/2025

12:20 AM

AC7714

Air Canada

Toronto (YTZ)

Ottawa (YOW)

CanceledCheck Compensation

02/15/2025

12:10 AM

AA5289

American Airlines

Washington (DCA)

White Plains (HPN)

CanceledCheck Compensation

02/15/2025

12:10 AM

AA5289

American Airlines

Washington (DCA)

White Plains (HPN)

CanceledCheck Compensation

02/15/2025

12:02 AM

AA5253

American Airlines

Charlotte (CLT)

Greensboro (GSO)

CanceledCheck Compensation

02/14/2025

11:55 PM

LA3488

Latam Airlines Group

São Paulo (GRU)

Curitiba (CWB)

CanceledCheck Compensation

02/14/2025

11:55 PM

LA3488

Latam Airlines Group

São Paulo (GRU)

Curitiba (CWB)

CanceledCheck Compensation

02/14/2025

11:55 PM

U68253

Ural Airlines

Moscow (DME)

Dushanbe (DYU)

CanceledCheck Compensation

02/14/2025

11:55 PM

LA3307

Latam Airlines Group

Florianópolis (FLN)

São Paulo (GRU)

CanceledCheck Compensation
Your flight isn't here? Use our full compensation check and we'll look into it. Check your flight
  • VN7268

    Vietnam Airlines

    Canceled

    Ho Chi Minh City

    Vinh City

    SGN

    VII

    02/15/2025

    1:15 AM

    Check Compensation
  • SU2852

    Aeroflot Russian Airlines

    Canceled

    Saint Petersburg

    Orenburg

    LED

    REN

    02/15/2025

    12:35 AM

    Check Compensation
  • AC7714

    Air Canada

    Canceled

    Toronto

    Ottawa

    YTZ

    YOW

    02/15/2025

    12:20 AM

    Check Compensation
  • AA5289

    American Airlines

    Canceled

    Washington

    White Plains

    DCA

    HPN

    02/15/2025

    12:10 AM

    Check Compensation
  • AA5289

    American Airlines

    Canceled

    Washington

    White Plains

    DCA

    HPN

    02/15/2025

    12:10 AM

    Check Compensation
  • AA5253

    American Airlines

    Canceled

    Charlotte

    Greensboro

    CLT

    GSO

    02/15/2025

    12:02 AM

    Check Compensation
  • LA3488

    Latam Airlines Group

    Canceled

    São Paulo

    Curitiba

    GRU

    CWB

    02/14/2025

    11:55 PM

    Check Compensation
  • LA3488

    Latam Airlines Group

    Canceled

    São Paulo

    Curitiba

    GRU

    CWB

    02/14/2025

    11:55 PM

    Check Compensation
  • U68253

    Ural Airlines

    Canceled

    Moscow

    Dushanbe

    DME

    DYU

    02/14/2025

    11:55 PM

    Check Compensation
  • LA3307

    Latam Airlines Group

    Canceled

    Florianópolis

    São Paulo

    FLN

    GRU

    02/14/2025

    11:55 PM

    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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AirHelp is a part of the Association of Passenger Rights Advocates (APRA) whose mission is to promote and protect passengers’ rights.

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