Delayed or Cancelled flight?
Under EU Regulation 261/2004, you could be legally entitled to up to €600 in compensation.
What is Flight Cancellation Compensation?
Flying within the EU or with an EU-based airline comes with certain rights and protections, especially in the event of flight disruptions like delays, cancellations, or denied boarding. EU Regulation 261/2004 outlines your entitlement to compensation, and at Aireclaim, we specialize in ensuring that you receive the compensation you are legally owed. Navigating the complex legal landscape can be daunting, but our experienced legal team is here to guide you every step of the way, handling all the paperwork, disputes with airlines, and ensuring you receive the maximum compensation available
Under EU Regulation EC 261/2004, you may be entitled to financial compensation if your flight was:
- Cancelled
- Delayed by more than 3 hours
- You were denied boarding due to overbooking
This law applies to:
- All flights departing from the EU
- All flights arriving in the EU with an EU-based airline
Examples:
- Your TAP flight from Lisbon to Berlin was delayed by 4 hours due to a technical fault → Eligible for €400
- Your Ryanair flight to Rome was cancelled the night before → Eligible for €250
- You were denied boarding on an overbooked Lufthansa flight → Eligible for €400–€600
Your Legal Entitlements: What You’re Owed Under EU261/2004
Whether your flight was delayed, canceled, or you were denied boarding, the law provides clear compensation thresholds depending on the distance of your flight and the duration of the disruption. Here’s what you could be entitled to:
1. Flight Delays: Compensation for Long Delays
Delays are only compensable if the delay exceeds 3 hours and is not due to extraordinary circumstances, such as extreme weather. But rest assured, technical failures and airline-related issues are not considered extraordinary, and you should be compensated. Our team will carefully assess your case to determine whether you qualify for compensation based on the specifics of your delay, including any exceptions that might apply.
2. Flight Cancellations: Know Your Rights
Additionally, you may also be entitled to meals, accommodation, and alternative travel arrangements if the airline is at fault. If the cancellation is made less than 14 days before departure, compensation is guaranteed unless the cancellation was due to extraordinary circumstances, such as severe weather or natural disasters.
3. Denied Boarding: Get Compensated for Overbooking
Overbooking is a common reason passengers are denied boarding, but if this happens to you, you have rights. If you’re denied boarding involuntarily, compensation is based on the flight distance and the delay to your final destination.
In addition to compensation, you may also be entitled to reimbursement for any extra expenses caused by being denied boarding. This also applies if the denial was due to the airline’s fault, such as overbooking.
Extraordinary Circumstances: Understanding the Limitations
Airlines are not required to compensate passengers for disruptions caused by extraordinary circumstances, such as severe weather, natural disasters, or air traffic control strikes. However, airline errors (e.g., technical failures) are not considered extraordinary, meaning you may still be entitled to compensation.
Our team at Aireclaim specializes in challenging airline claims of extraordinary circumstances, ensuring that they don’t evade their responsibility to compensate you.
Who Is Eligible for Compensation?
You can claim under EU261/2004 if:
- Your flight departed from the EU, or was operated by an EU airline arriving into the EU
- You arrived at your destination 3+ hours later than scheduled
- The disruption was not caused by extraordinary circumstances
- You checked in on time and had a valid booking
Good to know: Even if the airline offered you a rebooking or refund, you may still be eligible for additional compensation.
Can I Claim if I Accepted a Voucher or Refund?
In most cases, yes.
- Refunds and vouchers cover the cost of your ticket, not the compensation you may be entitled to under EU law.
- Even if you were rebooked, if the delay exceeded 3 hours or you were informed less than 14 days in advance, you can still claim.
Not sure if you're still eligible?
How much can you claim?
The amount of flight claim compensation you receive depends on the distance of your flight and can be €250, €400, or €600. You can also claim for care expenses with food, transport and accommodation as well as a refund of the alternative flight.
250€
Up to 1500 km
400€
From 1500 km to 3500 km
600€
More than 3500 km
How to claim Flight Cancellation Compensation Step-by-Step
Claiming your flight cancellation compensation with AireClaim is quick and simple:
1. Complete your flight compensation form
- Enter your departure airport and final destination.
- Indicate if you had connecting flights.
2. Add your disruption details
- Select the type of disruption (delay, cancellation, missed connection).
- Enter the scheduled and actual arrival times.
3. Provide the reason for the disruption (if known)
4. Review and submit
- We’ll analyse your case, contact the airline, and handle all the paperwork at no upfront cost.
Our process covers all types of air travel disruptions from cancellations to flight delays and missed flights — ensuring you get the compensation you’re entitled to.
You can start your claim now using our secure online form:
FAQs About Passengers Rights
Sometimes it depends on whether the weather conditions meet the definition of “extraordinary circumstances” under EU 261.
Our team will analyse your specific case and help you understand if you still qualify for flight compensation, even when the airline blames the delay on bad weather.
You can still claim your flight delay compensation if:
- The initial delay caused you to miss your connecting flight.
- Your final arrival at the destination was more than 3 hours late.
- Both flights were part of the same booking.
Learn more about our full process for missed connection compensation.
Yes, your citizenship does not impact your rights as an air passenger.