EU261 flight compensation

If your flight departed from the EU/UK — or arrived there on an EU/UK carrier — and it was cancelled or arrived over 3 hours late, EU261/UK261 may entitle you to fixed compensation on top of any refund. Here's how to work out what you're owed.

1. 1

   Confirm your flight is covered

   The regulation covers flights departing the EU, EEA, Switzerland or the UK on any airline, plus flights arriving there on an EU/UK-registered carrier.

2. 2

   Measure the disruption correctly

   Compensation kicks in at 3+ hours delay at final arrival, cancellation with under 14 days' notice, or denied boarding due to overbooking. The arrival time at your final destination is what counts.

3. 3

   Check the compensation band

   Amounts are fixed by distance: €250 for flights up to 1,500 km, €400 for 1,500–3,500 km, and €600 for longer flights. Some cancellations can be reduced by 50% if rerouting gets you in close to the original time.

4. 4

   Rule out extraordinary circumstances

   Airlines don't owe compensation for events outside their control — severe weather, air-traffic strikes or security risks. Technical faults and crew shortages usually don't qualify as extraordinary.

5. 5

   Claim from the operating airline

   The claim goes to the airline that operated the flight, not the booking agent. Include your booking reference, flight number, date, and what happened. Keep boarding passes and receipts.

6. 6

   Escalate if the airline refuses

   If the claim is rejected and you disagree, you can escalate to the national enforcement body in the country of departure, or use an approved dispute-resolution scheme.