AirHelp alternative: a lower-fee way to claim
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 241,678 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 at the same standard fee and takes less if the claim reaches court. Verified August 9, 2026.
AirHelp at a glance
AirHelp vs Compensair
| Feature | AirHelp | Compensair (our pick) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard fee | 35% (VAT incl.) | 35% |
| If case goes to court | 35% plus 15% = 50% | 35% plus 10% = 45% |
| Model | No win, no fee | No win, no fee |
| Law covered | EU261 / UK261 | EU261 / UK261 |
| Trustpilot | About 4.5/5 (241,678) | About 4.5/5 (1,660) |
Fees read from each company's own published terms on August 9, 2026: AirHelp's fees page and Compensair's payment policy. Ratings quoted from Trustpilot the same day. We do not link out to AirHelp; our only commercial link is to the pick we route to.
Read the table honestly and the headline difference people expect is not there. On a straightforward claim that the airline pays without a fight, the two charge the same 35 percent, and both sit at about 4.5 on Trustpilot. AirHelp has roughly 145 times more reviews, which is a real point in its favour if volume of feedback is what reassures you. The gap opens only when a claim has to go to court: AirHelp adds 15 percent on top, Compensair adds 10, so the worst case is 50 percent versus 45. One caveat we cannot resolve for you: AirHelp states its percentages include VAT and Compensair's payment policy does not say either way, so on a VAT-inclusive comparison the two could be closer still.
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. On the standard fee the two are level at 35 percent; AirHelp rises to 50 percent if a case goes to court, where Compensair stops at 45. Compensair does the same EU261 and UK261 job on a no-win-no-fee basis for a lower standard fee of 35 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 August 9, 2026.
Pros
- Cheaper than AirHelp only if the claim goes to court (45 percent vs 50 percent)
- Lower court-case cost too (about 30 plus 10 percent vs 50 percent)
- Free eligibility check and no upfront cost
- Rated about 4.5/5 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 241,678 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?
Only partly, and the honest answer is more useful than a yes. On a claim the airline settles without a fight the two charge the same standard fee of 35 percent, and both sit at about 4.5 on Trustpilot. Compensair is cheaper only when a case has to go to court, because it adds 10 percent where AirHelp adds 15, so the worst case is 45 percent against 50. Note also that AirHelp states its fees include VAT while Compensair does not say, so the real-world gap may be smaller.
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.