EU flight delay and cancellation compensation
If your flight was delayed 3 or more hours, cancelled on short notice, or overbooked, you may be owed 250 to 600 euro per passenger under EU261, unless the airline proves an extraordinary circumstance. The right covers flights leaving the EU or UK and EU or UK airlines flying in. The fastest way to check and claim without fighting the airline is Compensair, which is free to check and works on a no-win-no-fee basis. Rules verified July 9, 2026.
EU Regulation 261/2004 (mirrored by the UK as UK261 after Brexit) gives air passengers real cash rights when a flight goes wrong. Most travelers never claim, either because they do not know the rules or find the airline process painful. Here is exactly who qualifies, how much is owed, and how to claim.
How much you can claim
Who qualifies
- Delay: you reached your final destination 3 or more hours late.
- Cancellation: the airline told you less than 14 days before departure.
- Denied boarding: you were bumped from an overbooked flight against your will.
- Route: the flight departed the EU or UK, or was an EU or UK airline arriving in the EU or UK.
- No extraordinary circumstances: the cause was within the airline’s control (a technical fault or crew shortage usually counts; severe weather or a strike by air traffic control usually does not).
Claim it: our pick
Our pick to claim: Compensair
No-win-no-fee EU261 / UK261 claim service
No win, no fee
Compensair checks your flight for free and, if you qualify, handles the whole claim with the airline, including paperwork and escalation, so you do not have to argue with the carrier yourself. It works under EU261 and UK261 and you pay nothing unless it wins. Its fee is a success fee of about 30 percent of the amount recovered, with an extra 10 percent only if a case needs legal action. Checked July 8, 2026.
Pros
- Free eligibility check and no upfront cost
- Handles all airline paperwork and escalation for you
- Claims up to 600 euro per passenger where eligible
- Rated about 4.6/5 on Trustpilot (attributed, see above)
Cons
- Success fee of about 30 percent (plus 10 percent if legal action is needed)
- Some reviewers report payouts can take time
- Only worthwhile if your flight actually qualifies under the rules
Best for: Passengers with a delayed, cancelled or overbooked EU or UK flight who would rather not chase the airline themselves.
Weighing the service itself? Read our full Compensair review, see how it compares to AirHelp on fees, or check whether you need a lawyer to claim.
The 2026 reform: agreed, not yet in force
The rules in force today are Regulation (EC) 261/2004, which has applied since 2005 and is interpreted by EU court rulings that set the 3-hour delay threshold. On 15 June 2026 the European Parliament and the Council reached a provisional agreement to reform it for the first time since 2004. It is not yet in force and will apply one year after it is published in the EU Official Journal. The agreement keeps the 3-hour threshold and the 250 to 600 euro amounts, and adds rules on cabin baggage, fare transparency and the rights of reduced-mobility passengers. For the full breakdown of the law, see our guide to EC 261/2004.
Not sure what you are owed? Try our flight compensation calculator for a quick estimate, or see why flights get delayed and which causes pay.
Compensation by airline
- British Airways delay compensation: UK261, 220 to 520 pounds.
- Lufthansa delay compensation: EU261, 250 to 600 euro, plus care rights.
- Air France delay compensation: EU261, 250 to 600 euro; also covers KLM.
- Qatar Airways delay compensation: EU261/UK261 on EU or UK departures.
- Turkish Airlines delay compensation: EU261 on EU departures.
Frequently asked questions
Am I entitled to EU flight compensation?
You may be if your flight departed from the EU or UK, or was operated by an EU or UK airline arriving there, and you reached your destination 3 or more hours late, it was cancelled with less than 14 days notice, or you were denied boarding. Compensation is not due if the airline proves the disruption was an extraordinary circumstance beyond its control.
How much is EU261 flight compensation?
The amount depends on flight distance: 250 euro for flights up to 1,500 km, 400 euro for flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km, and 600 euro for flights over 3,500 km. These amounts are per passenger and are kept in the 2026 reform agreement. UK claims are paid in pounds at similar bands.
How far back can I claim flight compensation?
It varies by country. Many EU states allow claims for flights in the last 3 years, some allow more, and the UK allows up to 6 years. Because the limit depends on where the claim is made, it is worth checking an old delayed or cancelled flight rather than assuming it is too late.
What are extraordinary circumstances?
These are events outside the airline’s normal activity and control, such as severe weather, air traffic control strikes or political instability, which remove the right to compensation. Everyday problems like technical faults, crew shortages or overbooking usually do not count, so many airline refusals on these grounds can still be challenged.
How does Compensair work and what does it cost?
You enter your flight details for a free check. If it qualifies, Compensair pursues the claim with the airline and you pay nothing up front. It keeps a success fee of about 30 percent of the amount recovered, with an extra 10 percent only if legal action is required, so you receive the rest with no risk if the claim fails.
This guide explains the rules in plain terms; it is not legal advice, and eligibility depends on your specific flight. Compensation figures and rules were verified on July 9, 2026 against EU sources.