Short answer
How much is delayed flight compensation?
Delayed flight compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004 is €250, €400 or €600 per passenger when you reach your final destination three or more hours late and the cause is the airline's responsibility. Distance sets the amount, not the ticket price. A delay under three hours does not qualify for cash, but it can still entitle you to meals and refreshments.
When a delay qualifies
All five conditions need to be met. The last word on the cause belongs to the evidence, not the airline — we check it for you.
- You reached your final destination three hours or more after the scheduled arrival time.
- The flight departed from the EU, Iceland, Norway or Switzerland — or landed there on an airline based in one of those countries.
- The delay was caused by something the airline controls, such as a technical fault, a crew shortage or a late incoming aircraft.
- You had a confirmed booking and checked in on time — usually 45 minutes before departure unless the airline set another time.
- The flight is within your country's limitation period — three years or more in many countries.
How much a delay is worth
The amount depends on flight distance and how late you arrived. What you paid for the ticket makes no difference.
- Up to 1,500 km€250e.g. Paris–Barcelona, Berlin–Vienna, Rome–Munich
- 1,500–3,500 km€400e.g. Madrid–Athens, Lisbon–Warsaw, Amsterdam–Tenerife
- Over 3,500 km€600e.g. Frankfurt–New York, Amsterdam–Dubai, Paris–Bangkok
Flights within the EU over 1,500 km are always paid at €400.
Airline's fault or extraordinary circumstance?
Airlines often blame “extraordinary circumstances” to avoid paying. This is how courts usually see the most common excuses.
Usually compensated
- Technical faults found during routine operations or maintenance
- Crew shortages, crew sickness or crew hitting their duty-time limits
- Strikes by the airline's own pilots or cabin crew
- Knock-on delays from the aircraft's previous flights
Usually not compensated
- Severe weather that makes flying genuinely unsafe
- Air traffic control restrictions and air traffic control strikes
- Bird strikes and damage caused by third parties
- Security threats, political unrest or airport closures
Your right to care while you wait
Separate from compensation: once the delay passes these thresholds, the airline must provide meals, refreshments and two phone calls or emails — even when the cause was extraordinary.
| Flight distance | Care starts after |
|---|---|
| Up to 1,500 km | 2 hours |
| 1,500–3,500 km, and flights within the EU over 1,500 km | 3 hours |
| Over 3,500 km | 4 hours |
| Delay overnight | Hotel and transfers, whatever the distance |
From delayed flight to payout
You file once. We gather the evidence, deal with the airline and escalate if it refuses.
- 01
Enter your flight
Flight number and date are enough. We match them against official arrival data.
- 02
We check the cause
We compare the airline's explanation with weather, air traffic and fleet records.
- 03
We claim and escalate
Formal claim, national enforcement body and, if needed, court — at no cost to you.
- 04
You get paid
The money goes straight to your bank account. Our fee applies only if we win.
Delayed flight FAQ
What passengers ask us after a long delay.
Does a two-hour delay qualify?
Not for cash compensation — that starts at three hours late at your final destination. On flights up to 1,500 km, a two-hour delay does entitle you to meals, refreshments and communication.
Is the delay measured at departure or arrival?
At arrival, at your final destination. The European Court of Justice has ruled that a flight arrives when at least one aircraft door opens — not when the wheels touch the runway.
The airline blamed a technical fault. Can I still claim?
Usually, yes. Courts treat technical problems as part of normal airline operations, so they rarely count as extraordinary circumstances. Hidden manufacturing defects are the rare exception.
I missed my connection because of the delay. Am I covered?
Yes, if both flights were on one booking and you reached your final destination three or more hours late. The amount is based on the distance from your first departure airport to your final destination.
The airline gave me meals and a hotel. Do I still get compensation?
Yes. Care and compensation are separate rights. Accepting a meal voucher or a hotel room never cancels your €250–€600 claim.
How far back can I claim?
It depends on the country where the claim is filed — limitation periods are set nationally and vary widely. Many passengers can still claim flights from the last three years, so check yours for free.
