Flight disrupted in the European Union? Get up to €600 in compensation.
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Coverage
EU Air Passenger Rights Regulation
Eligibility depends on the facts of the journey you submit.
Quick answer
Could your flight qualify?
You may be entitled to compensation if your delayed flight, cancellation, involuntary denied boarding or disrupted connection falls within EC261. Eligibility usually depends on the route, operating airline, length of the disruption and whether extraordinary circumstances were responsible.
On this page
Passenger rights
Which flights can be covered?
EC261 protects a wide range of journeys involving the European Union. Flights departing from the EU receive particularly broad coverage, while coverage of flights arriving from outside the EU depends on the operating airline.
Flights travelling within the EU can be covered whether the operating airline is an EU or non-EU carrier.
Flights departing from the EU to a non-EU country can be covered regardless of the airline.
Flights arriving in the EU from a non-EU country can be covered when operated by an EU airline.
Connecting flights on a single reservation can be assessed through to the final destination where EC261 applies.
Flight disruptions
What types of disruption may qualify?
Delayed flight
If an eligible disruption causes you to reach your final destination at least three hours late, fixed compensation can apply depending on the journey distance and length of the arrival delay.
Cancelled flight
A cancellation can give you reimbursement or rerouting rights, and fixed compensation may also apply depending on when you were informed, the alternative journey offered and the cause of the cancellation.
Denied boarding
If you are involuntarily denied boarding after presenting yourself for the flight as required, EC261 can provide compensation together with reimbursement, rerouting and assistance rights.
Missed connection
If your flights form part of one reservation, a disruption that causes a missed connection can qualify where you reach your final destination sufficiently late and the other EC261 conditions are met.
Compensation
How much compensation could you receive?
EC261 uses fixed compensation amounts in euros. The amount is based mainly on the journey distance and, for some long-haul delays, how late you reach the final destination.
Flight delay compensation
For an eligible delay under EC261, compensation depends on the journey distance and how late you reach your final destination.
- Journey distance
- 1,500 km or less
- Arrival delay
- 3 hours or more
- Compensation
- €250
- Journey distance
- More than 1,500 km within the EU
- Arrival delay
- 3 hours or more
- Compensation
- €400
- Journey distance
- Other journeys between 1,500 km and 3,500 km
- Arrival delay
- 3 hours or more
- Compensation
- €400
- Journey distance
- More than 3,500 km between the EU and a non-EU country
- Arrival delay
- 3 hours to less than 4 hours
- Compensation
- €300
- Journey distance
- More than 3,500 km between the EU and a non-EU country
- Arrival delay
- 4 hours or more
- Compensation
- €600
| Journey distance | Arrival delay | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| 1,500 km or less | 3 hours or more | €250 |
| More than 1,500 km within the EU | 3 hours or more | €400 |
| Other journeys between 1,500 km and 3,500 km | 3 hours or more | €400 |
| More than 3,500 km between the EU and a non-EU country | 3 hours to less than 4 hours | €300 |
| More than 3,500 km between the EU and a non-EU country | 4 hours or more | €600 |
Compensation is per passenger. Eligibility also depends on whether EC261 applies to the journey and whether extraordinary circumstances caused the disruption.
Cancellation and denied-boarding compensation
Where EC261 compensation applies after a cancellation or involuntary denied boarding, the standard amount depends on the journey distance. Compensation can be reduced by 50% where rerouting gets you to your final destination within the specified time.
- Journey distance
- 1,500 km or less
- Standard amount
- €250
- Possible reduced amount
- €125
- Journey distance
- More than 1,500 km within the EU
- Standard amount
- €400
- Possible reduced amount
- €200
- Journey distance
- Other journeys between 1,500 km and 3,500 km
- Standard amount
- €400
- Possible reduced amount
- €200
- Journey distance
- More than 3,500 km
- Standard amount
- €600
- Possible reduced amount
- €300
| Journey distance | Standard amount | Possible reduced amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1,500 km or less | €250 | €125 |
| More than 1,500 km within the EU | €400 | €200 |
| Other journeys between 1,500 km and 3,500 km | €400 | €200 |
| More than 3,500 km | €600 | €300 |
The reduced amount can apply where rerouting gets you to your final destination within two, three or four hours respectively of the original scheduled arrival time.
Fixed compensation is separate from other EC261 rights such as reimbursement, rerouting, meals, accommodation and reimbursement of reasonable expenses where those rights apply.
Eligibility
What determines whether compensation applies?
EC261 considers the complete circumstances of the disruption. The route, operating airline, final arrival delay, cancellation notice and cause of the disruption can all affect whether compensation is payable.
Final arrival time matters
For delay compensation and connected journeys, the important measure is generally how late you reach your final destination rather than only the departure delay of one flight.
Journey distance affects the amount
EC261 uses different compensation bands for journeys of 1,500 km or less, longer intra-EU journeys, other journeys between 1,500 km and 3,500 km, and longer journeys beyond 3,500 km.
Extraordinary circumstances matter
Fixed compensation is generally not payable when qualifying extraordinary circumstances caused the disruption and the airline could not have avoided it even by taking reasonable measures.
Cancellation notice matters
Cancellation compensation is generally relevant when you were informed less than 14 days before departure, although suitable replacement travel within the permitted timing windows can remove the compensation entitlement.
Five-hour delays give you another option
If your flight is delayed for five hours or more, you can choose not to travel and request reimbursement where the applicable EC261 conditions are met.
Care can apply even without compensation
Meals, refreshments, communications, hotel accommodation and airport transport can be required after qualifying waiting periods even where extraordinary circumstances mean fixed compensation is not payable.
Important conditions
When compensation may not apply
A major disruption does not automatically mean fixed compensation is payable. EC261 contains exceptions based on the cause of the disruption, the notice provided, replacement travel and the way a connecting itinerary was booked.
Fixed compensation is generally not payable where qualifying extraordinary circumstances caused the disruption and could not have been avoided through reasonable measures.
A cancellation communicated more than 14 days before departure generally does not create an EC261 fixed-compensation entitlement.
Where cancellation notice is given less than 14 days before departure, suitably timed rerouting can mean fixed compensation is not payable.
A missed connection caused by airport security delays or by failing to respect the boarding time at the transfer airport does not create the same compensation right.
Separate flight bookings do not necessarily receive the same end-to-end protection as connecting flights purchased as one reservation.
Connecting journeys
A single connecting reservation can be protected through to the final destination
If your flights form part of one reservation and EU passenger-rights rules apply, a disruption on one leg can be assessed by looking at your arrival at the final destination. If you miss a connection and ultimately arrive more than three hours late, compensation may apply where the delay was not caused by extraordinary circumstances. The exact coverage can depend on where the journey began and whether the relevant flights were operated by EU or non-EU airlines.
Before you claim
What should you keep?
Keep the records that establish your planned journey, what changed and when you eventually reached your destination.
Your booking confirmation and complete itinerary.
Boarding passes, e-tickets or other proof of travel.
Airline emails, text messages or app notifications about the disruption.
Any explanation the airline provided for the delay, cancellation, denied boarding or missed connection.
Details of replacement flights and your actual arrival time at the final destination.
Itemised receipts for reasonable meals, accommodation or local transport expenses where relevant.
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