EU Airline Compensation

Delayed flights are a travel nightmare that everyone has experienced, but most passengers traveling in the European Union don't know they're entitled to EU airline compensation when their flight is delayed. When any flight departing from an airport in the European Union, is delayed, passengers can claim compensation, thanks to EC Regulation 261/2004.

This regulation was established in 2005 to preserve the rights of airline passengers in cases of delayed flights, cancellations, being denied boarding, or having their seat downgraded. Since then, legal cases have further defined the law practically and now we know when passengers can claim.

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Know your rights and claim compensation in case of delay

EC 261/2004 enables passengers on any European Union flight that is delayed to claim EU airline compensation. However, passengers don't have to board in Europe to get compensation. When passengers board a European airline in another continent that is delayed, they are still entitled to compensation according to the law. Furthermore, if passengers are delayed on an American or Asian airline that departs from European Union territory, they too are entitled to compensation.

The amount of money you are entitled to varies depending on the distance of your flight, but anyone who is delayed over 3 hours can claim some money back. Passengers who are traveling under 932 miles (1,500 km) can claim a maximum of 300 EUR, while the maximum is 600 EUR.

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

02/07/2025

12:50 AM

ZV475

V Air Corporation

Merida (MID)

Cancun (CUN)

CanceledCheck Compensation

02/07/2025

12:30 AM

AC8263

Air Canada

Toronto (YYZ)

London (CA) (YXU)

CanceledCheck Compensation

02/07/2025

12:30 AM

AC8263

Air Canada

Toronto (YYZ)

London (CA) (YXU)

CanceledCheck Compensation

02/07/2025

12:30 AM

AC8263

Air Canada

Toronto (YYZ)

London (CA) (YXU)

CanceledCheck Compensation

02/07/2025

12:30 AM

AC8263

Air Canada

Toronto (YYZ)

London (CA) (YXU)

CanceledCheck Compensation

02/07/2025

12:29 AM

DL2484

Delta Air Lines

Atlanta (ATL)

Birmingham (BHM)

CanceledCheck Compensation

02/07/2025

12:20 AM

AC7714

Air Canada

Toronto (YTZ)

Ottawa (YOW)

CanceledCheck Compensation

02/07/2025

12:19 AM

AV9332

Avianca

Bogota (BOG)

Medellin (MDE)

CanceledCheck Compensation

02/07/2025

12:13 AM

UA5965

United Airlines

San Francisco (SFO)

Redding (RDD)

CanceledCheck Compensation

02/07/2025

12:13 AM

UA5965

United Airlines

San Francisco (SFO)

Redding (RDD)

CanceledCheck Compensation
Your flight isn't here? Use our full compensation check and we'll look into it. Check your flight
  • ZV475

    V Air Corporation

    Canceled

    Merida

    Cancun

    MID

    CUN

    02/07/2025

    12:50 AM

    Check Compensation
  • AC8263

    Air Canada

    Canceled

    Toronto

    London (CA)

    YYZ

    YXU

    02/07/2025

    12:30 AM

    Check Compensation
  • AC8263

    Air Canada

    Canceled

    Toronto

    London (CA)

    YYZ

    YXU

    02/07/2025

    12:30 AM

    Check Compensation
  • AC8263

    Air Canada

    Canceled

    Toronto

    London (CA)

    YYZ

    YXU

    02/07/2025

    12:30 AM

    Check Compensation
  • AC8263

    Air Canada

    Canceled

    Toronto

    London (CA)

    YYZ

    YXU

    02/07/2025

    12:30 AM

    Check Compensation
  • DL2484

    Delta Air Lines

    Canceled

    Atlanta

    Birmingham

    ATL

    BHM

    02/07/2025

    12:29 AM

    Check Compensation
  • AC7714

    Air Canada

    Canceled

    Toronto

    Ottawa

    YTZ

    YOW

    02/07/2025

    12:20 AM

    Check Compensation
  • AV9332

    Avianca

    Canceled

    Bogota

    Medellin

    BOG

    MDE

    02/07/2025

    12:19 AM

    Check Compensation
  • UA5965

    United Airlines

    Canceled

    San Francisco

    Redding

    SFO

    RDD

    02/07/2025

    12:13 AM

    Check Compensation
  • UA5965

    United Airlines

    Canceled

    San Francisco

    Redding

    SFO

    RDD

    02/07/2025

    12:13 AM

    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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