What compensation am I entitled to under EU 261 for a delayed flight?

Under EU Regulation 261/2004, if your flight arrives more than 3 hours late, you may be entitled to: 250 euros for flights under 1,500 km; 400 euros for flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km; 600 euros for flights over 3,500 km. Care (meals, accommodation, communications) is due from 2 hours delay. Extraordinary circumstances can exempt the airline.

What are my rights if my flight is cancelled?

If your flight is cancelled, you are entitled to choose between: a full refund; re-routing at the earliest opportunity; or re-routing at a later date. Care at the airport is also due. Compensation of 250 to 600 euros applies unless the airline notified you more than 14 days before departure or extraordinary circumstances caused the cancellation.

Does EU 261 apply to my flight?

EU Regulation 261/2004 applies to all flights departing from an EU airport (any airline) and flights arriving at an EU airport operated by an EU carrier. UK261 applies the same rules to flights departing from UK airports. The 27 EU member states are covered by EU261; UK airports are covered by UK261 following Brexit.

What are extraordinary circumstances under EU 261?

Extraordinary circumstances that can exempt an airline from EU 261 compensation include: severe weather making flying unsafe; air traffic control strikes; political instability; security risks; unexpected safety deficiencies discovered before departure; and airport operational decisions outside the airline's control. Routine technical faults generally do not qualify.

How do I claim EU 261 compensation from an airline?

To claim EU 261 compensation: (1) Keep your boarding pass and booking confirmation. (2) Note actual arrival time at destination. (3) Write to the airline quoting your flight number, date, and the exact compensation amount under EU 261/2004. (4) If rejected or unanswered within 6 weeks, escalate to your national aviation authority: Commission for Aviation Regulation (Ireland), Civil Aviation Authority (UK), Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (Germany).

What is the difference between EU 261 and UK261?

UK261 (SI 2019/1165) is the UK equivalent of EU Regulation 261/2004, enacted after Brexit. It applies the same rights and compensation tiers to flights departing from UK airports. The monetary amounts are expressed in GBP at equivalent values: approximately 220 GBP (250 euros) short-haul, 350 GBP (400 euros) medium-haul, 520 GBP (600 euros) long-haul.

Passenger Rights Guide

EU 261 & UK261 Air Passenger Rights Guide

Plain English guidance on EU Regulation 261/2004 and UK261. Compensation amounts, claim steps, and exactly what to do when your flight is delayed, cancelled or boarding is denied.

General guidance only. Not legal advice. Always verify with your airline or aviation authority.

Which rules apply to you?

Delay scenarios

⏱ Flight delayed under 2 hours No automatic right

No automatic entitlement to care, compensation or refund for short delays.

Stay near the departure gate and monitor airport departure boards regularly.

Keep your boarding pass and phone charged - the airline may update via app or SMS.

If the delay grows beyond 2 hours, your rights activate - check back on this guide.

⏱ Flight delayed 2 to 3 hours Right to care

What you may get

Meals and refreshments proportionate to the waiting time; 2 free phone calls, emails or faxes

Distance threshold

1,500 km or less: from 2 hours
Over 1,500 km: from 3 hours

Ask the airline at the gate or service desk for meal vouchers. They should offer them proactively - if not, request them.

Keep receipts if you buy food independently - claim reasonable costs from the airline later.

Cash compensation does not apply at this stage. Rights depend on cause - extraordinary circumstances may reduce what you receive.

⧖ Flight delayed 3 to 5 hours Possible compensation

Right to care

Meals, refreshments, 2 free calls or emails. Overnight accommodation if delay extends past midnight.

Compensation (if airline's fault)

Up to €250 to €400 depending on distance. Only applies if airline caused the delay - not extraordinary circumstances.

Flight distance	Delay threshold	Compensation
Under 1,500 km	3+ hours on arrival	€250
1,500 km to 3,500 km	3+ hours on arrival	€400
Over 3,500 km (EU carrier)	4+ hours on arrival	€600
Over 3,500 km (non-EU, inbound)	4+ hours on arrival	€300 (if 3–4 hrs)

Note the actual arrival time at your destination - compensation is based on arrival delay, not departure delay.

Ask the airline to explain the cause in writing. Extraordinary circumstances reduce your right to compensation.

Keep all receipts: meals, transport, communication costs - these can be claimed separately from compensation.

⚠️ Flight delayed over 5 hours Refund option

Refund right

You may choose a full refund and not travel. This applies to short-haul specifically.

Right to care continues

Meals, accommodation, transport to hotel, 2 free calls. Request these from the airline proactively.

If you accept the refund and do not travel, you lose any claim for compensation relating to that journey.

If you choose to wait and travel, compensation rights continue depending on final arrival delay and cause.

Get written confirmation of the delay cause and any care provided - you will need this for future claims.

Cancellation

Flight cancelled

Refund or rerouting + possible compensation

Your choice

Full refund within 7 days, OR rerouting to your final destination on the earliest available flight, OR rerouting at a later date of your choice.

Compensation (if applicable)

€250 to €600 if notified less than 14 days before departure AND the cause was within the airline's control.

Request rebooking at the airline service desk or via their app immediately.

If rerouted and waiting at the airport, right to care (meals, accommodation) continues.

Notice of 14+ days before departure removes the compensation entitlement.

Extraordinary circumstances (severe weather, ATC strikes, security events) also remove compensation rights.

Copy/paste message to airline

"Dear [Airline], my flight [flight number] on [date] from [departure] to [arrival] was cancelled. Under EU Regulation 261/2004 (or UK261), I request [full refund / rerouting to my destination at the earliest opportunity]. I also request confirmation of my right to care (meals, refreshments, accommodation if needed). My booking reference is [ref]. Thank you."

Denied boarding

Involuntarily denied boarding (overbooked)

Immediate compensation

Immediate rights

Written notice of rights + compensation of €250 to €600 immediately. Also: refund or rerouting.

Right to care

Meals, refreshments, accommodation if overnight wait required, free calls.

Denied boarding applies when you have a valid confirmed booking and arrived on time - the airline cannot board you due to overbooking.

Compensation amounts match the delay compensation table (distance-based).

This does NOT apply if you were denied boarding for safety, health, security or inadequate documents.

Copy/paste message to airline

"Dear [Airline], I was denied boarding on flight [flight number] on [date] despite holding a valid, confirmed reservation. I arrived at the gate on time. Under EU Regulation 261/2004 (or UK261), I am entitled to immediate compensation of €[amount] and [refund / rerouting]. My booking reference is [ref]. Thank you."

Missed connection

Missed connection due to delay on first leg

Airline's responsibility if single booking

Key condition

All flights must be on a single booking (one booking reference). Separately booked flights are your own risk.

What the airline must do

Reroute you to your final destination at the earliest opportunity - on their own or partner flights. Right to care continues.

Go to the airline's transfer desk or service desk immediately - do not try to rebook independently first.

If your total arrival delay at final destination is 3+ hours due to the missed connection, compensation may apply.

Keep all boarding passes and note exact arrival times.

Baggage

🧳 Baggage delayed Claim essentials

Claim deadline

Report the delay at the airport and file a written claim within 21 days of receiving your bags.

What you can claim

Reasonable essential costs: toothbrush, underwear, basic clothing. Keep all receipts. Max liability is approximately €1,300 (Montreal Convention).

File a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) at the airport before you leave - this is required for any claim.

Claim essential items only - the airline will not reimburse luxury purchases.

Keep your PIR reference number and all receipts for any purchases made while bags were delayed.

🧳 Baggage lost Claim up to ~€1,300

When is it lost?

After 21 days without being found, baggage is officially classified as lost.

Claim limit

Up to approximately €1,300 under the Montreal Convention. Higher value items require advance declaration and additional fee.

A PIR must be filed at the airport on the day of travel. You cannot file it later.

Send a written claim to the airline within 21 days of the expected delivery date.

Provide a detailed list of contents with estimated values. Wear-and-tear deductions may apply to older items.

Downgrade

Involuntary downgrade to a lower class

Partial refund

Refund percentage

30% of ticket price - under 1,500 km
50% of ticket price - 1,500 to 3,500 km
75% of ticket price - over 3,500 km

Timeframe

Airline must reimburse within 7 days.

Request the partial refund immediately in writing at the airline service desk.

This applies only if the airline moves you to a lower cabin class - not if you chose to change.

Extraordinary circumstances - when compensation may not apply

Compensation does not apply when a delay or cancellation is caused by extraordinary circumstances beyond the airline's control. However, the right to care (meals, accommodation) still applies in most cases.

Extraordinary (no compensation)

Severe weather conditions

Air traffic control strikes

Security threats or political instability

Bird strikes

Hidden manufacturing defects (unforeseen)

Airport closure due to weather or emergency

NOT extraordinary (compensation may apply)

Airline staff strikes (e.g. pilots, cabin crew)

Technical problems within the airline's control

Overbooking

Operational crew issues (scheduling errors)

Evidence checklist - what to save

Tap each item to track what you have saved. Strong evidence significantly improves your claim.

Screenshot of departure board showing delay or cancellation

Boarding pass - physical or digital (do not delete)

Booking confirmation email with booking reference

Receipts for meals, transport, accommodation paid during disruption

Written communication from airline - email, SMS, app notification

Photos of airport screens showing your flight status

Baggage tag number (if baggage issue)

Actual time of arrival at your final destination

Names of airline staff you spoke to (gate agents, customer service)

Property Irregularity Report (PIR) number if baggage was delayed or lost

Message templates - copy and send to your airline

For a delayed flight

"Dear [Airline], my flight [flight number] on [date] from [departure] to [arrival] was delayed by [X] hours. Under EU Regulation 261/2004 (or UK261), I believe I am entitled to [care / compensation]. Please confirm how you will fulfil this obligation. My booking reference is [ref]. Thank you."

For a compensation claim after travel

"Dear [Airline], I am writing to claim compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004 (or UK261) for my flight [flight number] on [date] from [departure] to [arrival]. My flight arrived [X] hours late at my final destination. I am entitled to €[amount] under the regulation. Please confirm receipt and advise on your claims process. Booking reference: [ref]."

Official resources and claims support

European Commission

Official EU air passenger rights guidance and links to national enforcement bodies

UK Civil Aviation Authority

UK261 passenger rights, how to complain, and airline ADR schemes

Irish Aviation Authority

Ireland's national enforcement body for EU 261 passenger rights

AirHelp

Third-party claims service - works on a no-win no-fee basis. Takes a percentage of your claim.

Resolver (UK)

Free UK service for escalating complaints to airlines and aviation regulators

FlightRadar24

Check historical flight data - useful evidence for compensation claims

General guidance only. This guide summarises EU Regulation 261/2004 and UK261 in plain English. It is not legal advice. Rights depend on your specific circumstances - airline, route, cause of disruption, departure and arrival jurisdiction. For formal advice, consult your national aviation authority or a consumer rights solicitor. Always check with your airline directly for the most up-to-date information. "May" is used where rights are conditional on factors beyond our knowledge.

EU 261 & UK261 Air Passenger Rights Guide

Questions about passenger rights?

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