EU Flight Delay Compensation: Airlines Owe You Up to €600

Airlines Are Counting on You Not Knowing This Law

EU Regulation 261/2004 is one of the strongest passenger rights laws in the world. If your flight is significantly delayed, cancelled, or overbooked, the airline must compensate you in cash. Not vouchers. Not miles. Cash.

The amounts are fixed by law based on flight distance:

• Under 1,500 km: €250
• 1,500-3,500 km: €400
• Over 3,500 km: €600

According to the European Consumer Organisation, an estimated 5 million passengers per year are eligible but never claim.

When You're Eligible

The regulation covers you if:

Your flight departed from any EU/EEA airport — regardless of which airline. An American Airlines flight from Paris to New York is covered.

OR your flight arrived at an EU/EEA airport AND was operated by an EU airline. A Lufthansa flight from New York to Frankfurt is covered. A United flight on the same route is not.

You're eligible if:

• Your flight arrived 3+ hours late at the final destination
• Your flight was cancelled less than 14 days before departure
• You were denied boarding due to overbooking

The "Extraordinary Circumstances" Defence

Airlines will try to reject your claim citing extraordinary circumstances. Legitimate examples:

• Severe weather (actual storms, not just rain)
• Air traffic control strikes
• Security threats
• Volcanic ash

What courts have ruled is NOT extraordinary:

• Technical faults with the aircraft
• Crew shortages
• Airline IT failures
• Bird strikes (EU Court of Justice ruling)
• The airline's own staff striking

If the airline blames "operational reasons" or "technical issues," you're almost certainly still owed compensation.

How to Claim

Step 1: Find the airline's EU261 claim form — search "[airline name] EU261 claim" or check their customer service section.

Step 2: Gather your evidence:

• Booking confirmation and boarding pass
• Communication from the airline about the delay/cancellation
• Screenshots of the departure board
• Receipts for any expenses (meals, hotel, transport)

Step 3: Submit the claim. Cite EU Regulation 261/2004, state the flight number, date, scheduled vs. actual arrival time, and the distance-based compensation amount.

Step 4: Wait 1-3 months for a response.

If the Airline Rejects Your Claim

Don't give up. Airlines routinely reject valid claims hoping you'll walk away.

National Enforcement Body — Every EU country has one. In Germany, it's the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt. In France, the DGAC. In the Netherlands, the ILT. They investigate for free.

European Small Claims Procedure — For cross-border claims under €5,000. File online, no lawyer needed. Available for claims against airlines in any EU country.

Claim management companies — AirHelp, Flightright, and EUclaim handle the process for you. They take 25-35% of the compensation but you pay nothing if they don't win.

What Else the Airline Owes You

Regardless of the cause, for long delays the airline must provide:

• Meals and drinks proportionate to the waiting time
• Hotel accommodation if an overnight stay is required
• Airport transfers to and from the hotel
• Two phone calls or emails

Keep your receipts and claim reasonable expenses back separately if the airline doesn't provide these. This is the right to care and applies even when cash compensation doesn't.

Time Limits

Time limits vary by country — 2-3 years in most EU member states, but up to 10 years in some. Check the national rules for the country where the airline is based or where the flight departed. Don't assume an older flight is too late — verify first.