Flight delayed?
Claim up to €600.
Arrival delay of at least three hours? Regulation (EC) 261/2004 may provide fixed compensation, depending on the route, airline and extraordinary circumstances.
How much do you receive for a delayed flight?
Amounts according to article 7 EU261/2004, per passenger.
| Distance | Arrival delay | Compensation per person |
|---|---|---|
| up to 1500 km (within EU) | ≥ 3 hours | €250 |
| 1500-3500 km | ≥ 3 hours | €400 |
| above 3500 km (intercontinental) | 3–4 hours | €300 |
| above 3500 km (intercontinental) | ≥ 4 hours | €600 |
What does the law say?
EU Regulation 261/2004 obliges airlines to pay fixed compensation in case of long delays, cancellations or denied boarding. The Regulation applies to:
- All flights departing from an EU airport (regardless of airline);
- Flights arriving in the EU operated by an EU airline;
- Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and, since Brexit, the UK as well (UK261, a comparable regime).
The Court of Justice of the EU ruled in the Sturgeon case (C-402/07) that passengers on delayed flights have the same entitlement as those on cancelled flights, provided the arrival delay is 3 hours or more. That is therefore the threshold that applies in practice.
Extraordinary circumstances: only in case of genuinely unforeseen and unavoidable events - a volcanic eruption, acts of war, an airport closure. Technical issues, staffing levels, earlier delays on the same day - almost never, according to settled case law.
Frequently asked questions
When am I entitled to compensation for a delayed flight?
If you arrive at your final destination 3 hours or more late, provided the cause is within the airline's control. EU261/2004 applies to all flights departing from an EU airport and to inbound flights to the EU operated by an EU carrier.
How much compensation do I get for a delay?
Up to 1500 km: €250. Between 1500-3500 km: €400. Over 3500 km (intercontinental): €600. For delays of 3-4 hours on intercontinental flights, this may be halved to €300.
Does the arrival time count at the final destination or at the stopover?
According to the CJEU Sturgeon (C-402/07), the actual arrival time at the final destination counts, including any missed connections. It does not matter whether the stopover itself was delayed or not.
Does EU261 apply in bad weather?
Not always. Extreme weather conditions may qualify as extraordinary circumstances - but the airline must prove that the specific flight was impossible due to this, and that all reasonable measures were taken. We challenge unjustified defences.
What if the delay was partly due to a technical fault?
According to the CJEU Wallentin-Hermann (C-549/07) and Van der Lans (C-257/14), technical problems do not qualify as extraordinary circumstances - even if they occurred suddenly. Compensation remains payable.
How far back can I claim?
De verjaringstermijn wordt door nationaal recht bepaald en verschilt per land. Wij geven pas een definitieve deadline na controle van de toepasselijke landenversie.
What does it cost to have you handle my claim?
No upfront cost. The 25% all-in success fee is collected only after you confirm an actual airline payout. No payout means €0.
Ready to claim?
Enter your flight details. Within 30 seconds, you will see the preliminary compensation band and which facts still need review.
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