EU Flight Delay Compensation

Can You Get Compensation for a Delayed Flight under EU Law?

If your flight is delayed, you might be able to receive cash compensation, which could be up to €600 (about $700), according to EC Regulation 261/2004.

Mandatory Requirements to be fulfilled:

• Your flight arrived at the final destination with a delay of more than 3 hours
• The flight took off from the EU airport OR landed at the EU airport with an EU-regulated airline
• The delay was caused by the airline’s fault, not by extraordinary circumstances such as bad weather

If your flight is delayed by over 2 hours at departure, the airline should provide you with food, drink, and even a hotel stay for an overnight delay.

Usually, you have up to 3 years to request compensation. (Example: If you didn’t claim for a delayed flight in March 2022, you can still do so in March 2024.)

How Much Compensation for a Delayed Flight?

Now, let’s discuss potential compensation for a delayed flight. You could receive between 250 to 600 Euros, depending on the flight distance and how long it was delayed.

Here’s a breakdown of the potential compensation amounts:

• If your flight was less than 1500 kilometers and it was delayed by 3 or more hours, you might receive €250.
• For flights between 1500 and 3500 kilometers that were delayed by 3 or more hours, you could be eligible for €400.
• And if your flight was over 3500 kilometers and delayed by 4 hours or more, you could receive €600.

If your flight didn’t cross EU borders, they might reduce the compensation by half. So, for distances over 3500 km within the EU, you could get up to €300 instead.

Example: For an international flight from Frankfurt to New York that is beyond 3500 km, you may receive up to €3000 (€600*5) for a Group or Family of 5 under EU Regulation 261/2004.

Flight Delay Compensation Table

We’ve handled thousands of flight delay cases and successfully claimed up to €600 for each customer. With a 99% success rate, we’re confident in getting you your compensation.

Airline Delays? Understand Your Entitlements

• ☛Am I eligible for compensation for flight delays outside EU?
• ☛Can I get compensated for flights delayed due to rain?
• ☛When should an airline compensate you?
• ☛Are infants entitled to compensation?

Am I eligible for compensation for flight delays outside the EU?

It doesn’t matter if the delay happened outside the EU or if you’re not from the EU. You can still ask for compensation for flight delays. EU law applies globally, no matter your citizenship.

Here are the situations when you can make a claim under EU Regulation EC 261, based on where you started and where you ended up:

So, you won’t qualify for compensation under EU law only in these two cases:

1. If your flight departed from a non-EU airport with a non-EU-regulated airline.
2. If both the airports you started from and where you ended are outside the EU.

We provide extra benefits to residents outside the EU. No VAT applies when you enforce your rights through ClaimFlights.

When should an airline compensate you?

If your flight leaves from or arrives at a European airport with an EU-registered airline, you could get up to €600 for delays or cancellations under the EU261 regulation.

This applies even if you’re currently outside the EU, or traveled with a non-EU airline.

Are infants entitled to compensation for flight delays?

If you bought a discounted ticket for your baby or child, they might be eligible for compensation.

But if their ticket was free, such as for infants who don’t need a separate ticket, they wouldn’t be covered under the EU261 regulation.

What are Extraordinary Circumstances?

Extraordinary circumstances are events that airlines cannot control, causing delays or cancellations. Even if airlines take reasonable precautions, these situations can still lead to flight problems.

These situations include, but are not limited to:

• Severe weather conditions
• Political and civil unrest
• Acts of War
• Acts of Terrorism
• Air Traffic Control Strikes

In these cases, airlines usually don’t offer compensation. However, there’s an exception. If other airlines operate normally in similar situations, you might have a case for claiming compensation.

When an airline claims that a flight was delayed due to extraordinary circumstances, it doesn’t automatically mean they’re excused from paying compensation to all passengers. The airline has to prove they did everything possible to reroute passengers promptly.

Important to note, if the airline can prove the delay was due to an inevitable circumstance despite their best efforts, they aren’t obligated to pay compensation.

In doing so, the airline must ensure they explored all options to rebook passengers, not just on their own flights but also on other airlines’ flights.

Which Is The Best Company To Claim European Flight Delay Compensation?

ClaimFlights is the best flight delay claim company for payout after their 25% service fee. Through ClaimFlights, you could get 75% of the receivable compensation.

The following table gives you a direct comparison of flight delay compensation claim companies.

Source: Price comparison of flight delay claim companies, as of Aug 2023.

How to Get Compensation for Delayed Flights

To claim compensation for a delayed flight, follow these steps for a higher chance of success:

1. Calculate Your Compensation

Use our flight delay compensation calculator to figure out how much you can claim. Enter your flight number, date, and reason for delay to determine the amount you should ask from the airline.

2. Use a Claim Letter Template

Make use of a flight compensation letter template to handle your claim by yourself. This lets you take control of the process and make sure it matches your expectations.

3. Contact Airline Customer Service

Reach out to the airline directly. Visit their website or call their customer support to start your claim. Provide all necessary details and save a record of your conversation.

If the airline ignores or rejects your claim, think about getting professional help. Companies like ClaimFlights, which specialize in flight disruption claims, can handle everything for you.

4. Hire a Flight Claim Specialist

If dealing with the airline feels difficult, consider hiring a company that specializes in EU flight delay claims. These experts know passenger rights well and have effective claiming strategies.

Compare various companies based on their fees and customer reviews to find the best fit for your needs, whether you’re in the US or outside the EU.

Why opt for ClaimFlights to claim delayed flight compensation?

Here’s the deal: Airlines often resist paying compensation. When you directly claim from them, they can use tactics that result in long wait times.

Considering legal action? Engaging a lawyer becomes a necessity. However, smaller claims often get overlooked, working in the airline’s favor.

This can lead to frustrated customers abandoning their claims.

ClaimFlights realizes that most passengers lack the time, expertise, or strategy to fight with the airline to claim the compensation they owed.

Each airline has unique document requirements and procedures, making it challenging for passengers to claim on their own.

At ClaimFlights, our extensive database contains all the necessary airline requirements to move a claim forward.

ClaimFlights consistently helps passengers get what they deserve. By March 2024, we have a TrustPilot rating of 4.6 out of 5.

The Claim Process

Now that you know your rights, eligibility, claim amount, and the process complexity, here’s the easiest way to claim compensation:

• Gather Documents: Collect all relevant documents like boarding pass, booking details, and airline conversations.
• Submit Your Claim: Provide accurate flight and personal information, along with necessary documents while submitting your claim.
• Await the Decision: The airline reviews your claim, which might take weeks. If approved, you should get compensation promptly.

How Long to Wait for Reimbursement?

The wait time varies based on the airline and the intricate legal process. It can range from weeks to months. If the court is involved, it takes even longer. That’s why choosing claim companies like ‘ClaimFlights’ is best – they expedite your claim settlement.

Experiences and Reviews of Our Satisfied Customers