If your flight arrived more than 3 hours late, EU Regulation 261/2004 gives you the right to financial compensation — regardless of the ticket price you paid.
Under EU Regulation 261/2004, you are entitled to compensation if all three conditions are met:
Your flight departed from an EU airport, or arrived at an EU airport on an EU-based airline
Your flight arrived at the final destination more than 3 hours late
The delay was not caused by extraordinary circumstances (severe weather, ATC strikes, security threats)
Important: The 3-hour rule applies to arrival time at your final destination, not departure time. A flight that departs 4 hours late but arrives only 2h 50min late does not qualify.
How much compensation can you claim?
The amount is fixed by regulation and depends on the flight distance — not the ticket price:
Flight distance
Delay at arrival
Compensation
Up to 1,500 km
3+ hours
€250
1,500 – 3,500 km
3+ hours
€400
Over 3,500 km (EU–non-EU)
3 – 4 hours
€300
Over 3,500 km (EU–non-EU)
4+ hours
€600
Airlines may reduce compensation by 50% if they offered you re-routing that arrived within acceptable time limits.
What counts as an extraordinary circumstance?
Airlines frequently claim extraordinary circumstances to avoid paying. The following do not qualify as extraordinary:
Technical faults or mechanical problems (unless caused by a hidden manufacturing defect)
Staff shortages or crew scheduling issues
Minor weather disruptions that are normal for the season
Delays caused by late-arriving aircraft from a previous flight
Genuine extraordinary circumstances include: extreme weather events, political instability, air traffic control strikes (not airline strikes), and security incidents.
Watch out: Airlines deny ~40% of claims citing "extraordinary circumstances." Our assistant helps you challenge these denials with the correct legal framing.
How far back can you claim?
The statute of limitations varies by the country of departure:
United Kingdom: 6 years
France: 5 years
Most EU countries: 2 years
Germany: 3 years
Don't wait — the deadline runs from the date of the flight, not from when you found out about your rights.
What documents do you need?
Booking confirmation or e-ticket
Boarding pass (if you have it)
Any written communication from the airline about the delay
You do not need the boarding pass to file a claim — your booking reference is usually sufficient.
Step-by-step: how to claim
Check your eligibility using our free tool below
Create a case — our assistant extracts flight details automatically
Download the AI-prepared complaint letter and send it to the airline
If no response in 14 days — send a follow-up letter
If still ignored — escalate to the National Enforcement Body (free, no court needed)
Frequently asked questions
Accepting a voucher does not automatically waive your right to cash compensation under EU 261/2004. However, if you signed a document explicitly waiving your rights in exchange for the voucher, this may complicate your claim. Always read before signing.
Yes, if you arrived at your final destination more than 3 hours late and the journey was booked as a single reservation, the operating carrier of the first leg is liable — even if the delay originated on a subsequent flight.
Send a follow-up letter after 14 days. If there is still no response, escalate to the National Enforcement Body (NEB) of the country where your flight departed. NEBs investigate airline non-compliance for free and can compel payment. Our assistant prepares all escalation letters automatically.
Yes. EU Regulation 261/2004 applies to all airlines — including low-cost carriers — as long as the flight departs from an EU airport or arrives at an EU airport on an EU carrier. Budget airlines are subject to the same rules as full-service carriers.
Ready to claim your compensation?
Check eligibility in 60 seconds. Our assistant prepares the complaint letter — you review and send it yourself.