Check EU261 Flight Eligibility
To claim EU261 compensation for a delayed flight, confirm eligibility first: the flight must depart from an EU airport or arrive in the EU on an EU carrier, and you must reach your final destination at least three hours late, unless extraordinary circumstances caused the delay. Gather booking confirmation, boarding pass, flight number, and proof of actual arrival time, then submit a written claim to the airline, stating the delay, route, and requested amount. Compensation is generally €250, €400, or €600 by distance, though it may be halved if a reroute arrives within set time limits.
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If accepted, payment should follow. If rejected or ignored, escalate to the national enforcement body where the incident occurred, an approved dispute resolution scheme, or court. Keep receipts for meals, accommodation, and transport during the delay, because care obligations may apply separately. Prompt action and clear records improve success.
Collect Booking And Delay Proof
To start an EU261 claim for a delayed flight, first confirm that your journey qualifies: the flight must depart from an EU airport or arrive in the EU on an EU carrier, and the delay at arrival must be at least three hours. Then collect booking confirmation, boarding passes, and delay evidence such as airline messages, airport screens, or written notices. Submit these to the airline through its official claims channel, clearly stating the flight details, delay length, and requested compensation amount based on route distance.
Airlines may reject claims by citing extraordinary circumstances, so keep records of weather, strikes, or operational issues. If the airline does not respond or refuses unfairly, escalate to the relevant national enforcement body, an approved alternative dispute resolution service, or small claims court. Many passengers also use a flight-claims specialist to handle correspondence and improve recovery chances, especially when documentation is incomplete or deadlines are approaching.
File Claim With Airline
To claim EU261 compensation for a delayed flight, first confirm your flight departed from an EU airport or was operated by an EU carrier into the EU, and that you arrived at least three hours late. Compensation ranges from €250 to €600 depending on distance, unless the delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances such as severe weather or strikes. Gather your booking reference, boarding passes, and proof of delay, then submit a written claim directly to the airline through its online form or customer service channel, keeping copies of everything.
If the airline ignores your claim or rejects it unfairly, you can escalate by contacting the national enforcement body in the country where the incident occurred, or use an approved alternative dispute resolution scheme where available. Many passengers also turn to specialized claim services or small claims court for unresolved cases. Acting promptly, documenting all communication, and referencing Regulation 261/2004 strengthens your position and improves your chances of receiving the compensation you are owed.
Monitor Airline Claim Response
When a flight is delayed three hours or more at its final destination, passengers may claim compensation under EU261. Eligibility requires the flight to depart from an EU airport or arrive on an EU carrier, with no extraordinary circumstances such as severe weather or strikes. Travelers should gather boarding passes, booking confirmations, and delay notices, then submit a written claim to the airline through its official portal or customer service email. Airlines must respond within a reasonable timeframe, often six to eight weeks, and either pay or justify denial.
If rejected or ignored, passengers may escalate to the national enforcement body where the incident occurred, or use an available alternative dispute resolution scheme. Many travelers hire specialized claims services that handle paperwork for a fee. Compensation ranges from €250 to €600 per passenger depending on distance and delay length. Keeping detailed records strengthens any appeal and helps ensure fair, timely resolution.
Escalate To National Enforcement
When a flight arrives more than three hours late, passengers may claim fixed compensation under EU261 unless extraordinary circumstances caused the delay. The process usually starts with the airline: travelers submit booking details, flight number, delay length, and supporting documents. Airlines must respond within a reasonable time, and many offer online claim forms. If the carrier rejects or ignores the claim, passengers can escalate to the national enforcement body in the relevant country. That body can investigate compliance and pressure the airline to pay, although it may not always award money directly.
If enforcement does not resolve the dispute, passengers may use alternative dispute resolution, small claims court, or a claims service. Evidence matters throughout: boarding passes, delay confirmations, receipts, and correspondence help establish eligibility and amounts, which range from €250 to €600 by distance. Keeping records, meeting deadlines, and understanding that compensation differs from refunds or care obligations all improve the chance of a fair outcome.
EU261 Compensation By Delay Length
| Flight Distance | Delay at Arrival | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Under 1,500 km | 3 hours or more | €250 |
| 1,500–3,500 km | 3 hours or more | €400 |
| Over 3,500 km | 3–4 hours | €300 |
| Over 3,500 km | 4 hours or more | €600 |