AirHelp review: is it worth the fee?
AirHelp is a legitimate, well-rated flight compensation service, but it is one of the pricier ones: about 35 percent, rising to 50 percent in court. It handles EU261 and UK261 claims no-win-no-fee and holds about 4.5/5 across 231,000-plus Trustpilot reviews. If you like that hands-off model but want to keep more of the payout, our pick is Compensair, which does the same job for a lower fee. Verified July 9, 2026.
AirHelp at a glance
AirHelp vs Compensair
| Feature | AirHelp | Compensair (our pick) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard fee | About 35% (VAT incl.) | About 30% |
| If case goes to court | About 50% | About 30% plus 10% |
| Model | No win, no fee | No win, no fee |
| Law covered | EU261 / UK261 | EU261 / UK261 |
| Trustpilot | About 4.5/5 (231k+) | About 4.6/5 (1,500+) |
Both are legitimate no-win-no-fee services; AirHelp has far more reviews, Compensair charges a lower fee. Ratings are quoted from Trustpilot. We do not link out to AirHelp; our only commercial link is to the pick we route to.
Our pick
Our pick to claim: Compensair
No-win-no-fee EU261 / UK261 claim service
No win, no fee
AirHelp is the biggest name in flight compensation and a legitimate service, but its fee is higher: about 35 percent, rising to 50 percent if a case goes to court. Compensair does the same EU261 and UK261 job on a no-win-no-fee basis for a lower standard fee of about 30 percent, plus 10 percent only if legal action is needed, which is less than AirHelp’s court rate. For most claims that means more money in your pocket for the same free check and hands-off process. Checked July 9, 2026.
Pros
- Lower standard fee than AirHelp (about 30 percent vs 35 percent)
- Lower court-case cost too (about 30 plus 10 percent vs 50 percent)
- Free eligibility check and no upfront cost
- Rated about 4.6/5 on Trustpilot (attributed, see above)
Cons
- Fewer total reviews than AirHelp’s very large base
- Success fee still applies; a simple claim you could do yourself keeps 100 percent
- Only worthwhile if your flight qualifies under the rules
Best for: Travelers who like the AirHelp model but want to keep a bit more of the payout.
New to all this? Start with the EC 261/2004 rules, estimate with the compensation calculator, read our full Compensair review, or see whether you need a lawyer to claim.
Frequently asked questions
Is AirHelp legit?
Yes. AirHelp is the largest flight-compensation service, handling EU261 and UK261 claims, and holds an Excellent rating of about 4.5/5 across more than 231,000 Trustpilot reviews. It works no-win-no-fee, so it only charges if it wins. It is a legitimate, established company; the main knock is that its fee is on the higher side.
How much does AirHelp charge?
AirHelp takes about 35 percent of the compensation, with VAT included, and this rises to about 50 percent if your case has to go to court. There is no upfront cost and nothing to pay if the claim fails. The fee comes out of the amount recovered, so you receive the rest.
Is there a cheaper alternative to AirHelp?
Yes. Compensair runs the same no-win-no-fee model for EU261 and UK261 but charges a lower standard fee of about 30 percent, with 10 percent extra only if legal action is needed, which is below AirHelp’s 50 percent court rate. For the same free check and hands-off service you keep a little more of your compensation.
Should I claim myself instead of using AirHelp?
If your flight is clearly eligible and the airline pays without a fight, claiming directly keeps 100 percent of the money. A service like AirHelp or Compensair earns its fee on refused, ignored or disputed claims that need escalation. For a simple case, do it yourself; for a contested one, a no-win-no-fee service removes the hassle and risk.
We compare AirHelp and Compensair as real services and quote their ratings from Trustpilot. Our editorial view is our own. This is not legal advice, and whether a claim succeeds depends on your specific flight. We may earn a commission if you claim through our link, at no extra cost to you.