EU Regulation 261/2004 gives passengers fixed compensation for long delays, cancellations at short notice and denied boarding. It is one of the strongest passenger-rights laws anywhere.
Which flights are covered
- Any flight departing from an EU airport (plus Iceland, Norway and Switzerland), on any airline.
- Flights arriving in the EU from outside, if the airline is an EU carrier.
How much
| Flight distance | Compensation |
|---|---|
| Up to 1,500 km | €250 |
| Within the EU over 1,500 km, or other flights 1,500–3,500 km | €400 |
| Over 3,500 km (not within the EU) | €600 |
You qualify for a delay when you reach your final destination 3 hours or more late. On the longest flights the airline may pay half if the delay is between 3 and 4 hours and it offered rerouting. Cancellations with less than 14 days' notice also qualify unless you were offered a close alternative.
Extraordinary circumstances
Airlines don't owe compensation when the cause was outside their control: severe weather, air traffic control restrictions, security threats, political unrest or bird strikes. Technical problems usually do qualify, as courts have ruled they are part of normal airline operations.
Care while you wait
Separately from compensation, the airline must provide meals and refreshments, communication, and a hotel and transfers if you're stuck overnight. Keep receipts.
How to claim
- Write down the flight number, scheduled and actual arrival time, and the reason given.
- Claim directly with the airline using its EU261 form. It's free.
- If it refuses or ignores you, go to the national enforcement body, or use a claims company that works on a no-win-no-fee basis (they take a commission).
Time limits to claim are set by national law and range from about one to six years depending on the country.