How much is EU261 compensation?

It's a fixed amount based on flight distance, not ticket price — commonly €250 for short flights, €400 for medium-haul, and up to €600 for long-haul, per passenger. It's paid on top of rerouting and any meals or hotel the airline must provide.

Does a delay have to be a certain length?

Generally you need to reach your final destination three or more hours late for delay compensation, though cancellation and denied-boarding claims can apply differently. The arrival delay and the notice you were given are the key thresholds.

When can the airline refuse to pay?

When the disruption was caused by genuinely 'extraordinary circumstances' outside its control — severe weather, ATC strikes, security risks. Everyday operational issues like crew shortages and most technical faults usually don't qualify as extraordinary, so ask for the exact reason in writing.

Guide

EU261: am I owed compensation?

A delayed or cancelled flight isn't just lost time — on a lot of routes, it's money the airline owes you. Under the EU's air passenger rights rule (EU261), a qualifying disruption can be worth up to €600 per passenger, on top of getting you rerouted. Most travelers never claim it because they don't know it applies to them. Here's how to find out if it applies to you.

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1. Check that your route is covered

EU261 covers flights departing from an EU/EEA airport on any airline, and flights arriving in the EU/EEA on an EU-based airline. If either leg of your journey fits that, keep going — you may have a claim even if the disruption happened elsewhere.

2. Confirm the delay or cancellation qualifies

Compensation generally applies when you arrive at your final destination 3+ hours late, when your flight is cancelled without enough notice, or when you're denied boarding. Short delays and generous-notice cancellations usually don't qualify — the arrival delay and notice period are what matter.

3. Rule out 'extraordinary circumstances'

Airlines don't owe compensation when the cause was truly outside their control — severe weather, air traffic control strikes, security risks. But routine problems like crew shortages, most technical faults, and operational decisions typically don't count as extraordinary, so ask for the specific reason in writing.

4. Know the amount you can claim

EU261 pays a fixed amount by distance, not by ticket price — commonly €250 for shorter flights, €400 for medium, and up to €600 for long-haul, per passenger. That's on top of the airline's duty to reroute you and to cover meals and a hotel if you're stranded.

5. File the claim with everything documented

Keep your boarding passes, booking confirmation, and any delay/cancellation notice, and note the reason the airline gave. Submit the claim directly to the airline citing EU261 and your arrival delay. Save every message — a clear paper trail is what gets claims paid instead of stalled.

Get home first — then claim what you're owed

Compensation is separate from getting rebooked, and rerouting comes first. Paste your disrupted itinerary and Reroute hands you a ranked recovery plan in minutes, so you're moving again while you sort out the EU261 claim.

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Frequently asked questions

How much is EU261 compensation?: It's a fixed amount based on flight distance, not ticket price — commonly €250 for short flights, €400 for medium-haul, and up to €600 for long-haul, per passenger. It's paid on top of rerouting and any meals or hotel the airline must provide.
Which flights does EU261 cover?: Flights departing any airport in the EU/EEA on any airline, and flights arriving in the EU/EEA on an EU-based airline. If either leg of your trip matches, you may be able to claim.
Does a delay have to be a certain length?: Generally you need to reach your final destination three or more hours late for delay compensation, though cancellation and denied-boarding claims can apply differently. The arrival delay and the notice you were given are the key thresholds.
When can the airline refuse to pay?: When the disruption was caused by genuinely 'extraordinary circumstances' outside its control — severe weather, ATC strikes, security risks. Everyday operational issues like crew shortages and most technical faults usually don't qualify as extraordinary, so ask for the exact reason in writing.

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