Check Your Flight Eligibility
When a flight is delayed by more than three hours and the cause is within the airline's control, EU261 entitles passengers to compensation of up to €600 depending on distance. The process begins by confirming eligibility: the flight must depart from an EU airport or arrive into the EU on an EU carrier, and the delay must not stem from extraordinary circumstances such as severe weather or strikes. Once eligibility is established, passengers should gather documentation including boarding passes, booking confirmations, and any delay notifications from the airline.
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The next step is submitting a formal claim directly to the airline, usually through its online portal or customer service channel, clearly stating the flight details, delay duration, and compensation amount requested. Airlines are required to respond within a reasonable timeframe, though many initially reject claims. If the airline refuses or ignores the request, passengers can escalate to a national enforcement body or an approved alternative dispute resolution scheme. Legal action remains an option for unresolved cases, and specialized claims services can handle the process on a no-win-no-fee basis.
Gather Booking and Delay Evidence
Start by collecting your booking confirmation, boarding pass, delay notification, and any receipts for meals or hotels. Then submit a written claim to the airline, including flight details, delay length, and requested compensation. Keep copies and note deadlines. Airlines usually respond within weeks, though complex cases take longer. If they reject or ignore you, escalate through an approved dispute resolution body or national enforcement authority, and consider small claims court if needed. Throughout, stay factual and organized, because clear evidence often determines whether compensation is paid under EU261 rules.
The process works best when you act promptly after arrival, since records fade and airlines may dispute facts. Check whether the delay exceeded three hours at final destination and whether extraordinary circumstances applied. If the airline offers vouchers, you can still request cash compensation. Should mediation fail, court action remains possible in many jurisdictions. Keep all correspondence, as timelines matter. A structured approach helps travelers recover up to six hundred euros when eligible, while avoiding unnecessary delays in the claim process.
Submit Claim to Airline
When a flight is delayed by more than three hours on arrival, EU261 entitles passengers to compensation depending on distance and delay length. The process begins by confirming eligibility: the flight must depart from an EU airport or arrive in the EU on an EU carrier, and the delay must not be caused by extraordinary circumstances like severe weather or strikes. Passengers should gather booking details, boarding passes, delay confirmations, and any receipts for expenses incurred.
Next, submit a claim directly to the airline through its online form or customer service channel, including all supporting documents and a clear request for compensation. If the airline rejects the claim or fails to respond within a reasonable period, passengers can escalate to a national enforcement body or an alternative dispute resolution scheme. Keeping detailed records of all correspondence throughout the process helps strengthen the case and ensures a smoother resolution.
Escalate to National Enforcement
To start an EU261 claim for a flight delay, confirm the flight qualifies, then check that arrival delay reached three hours and was not caused by extraordinary circumstances. Collect booking confirmation, boarding pass, delay evidence, receipts, and airline messages. Submit a written claim directly to the airline through its official form, stating flight details, delay length, and requested compensation. Keep copies and note deadlines, because airlines may take weeks to respond and often request additional proof before assessing liability.
If the airline rejects the claim or does not reply within a reasonable period, escalate to the national enforcement body in the country where the incident occurred or the airline is based. You may also use alternative dispute resolution, small claims court, or a regulated claims service, depending on local rules. Stay organized, avoid accepting vouchers unless you understand the terms, and verify any settlement against fixed EU261 amounts. This structured approach helps travelers move from complaint to enforceable compensation without missing key evidence or deadlines.
Track Compensation Payment Status
To start an EU261 claim for a flight delay, first confirm eligibility: the flight must be covered by EU rules, the arrival delay must usually be at least three hours, and the cause must not be an extraordinary circumstance. Then collect evidence such as booking confirmation, boarding pass, delay notice, receipts, and any airline messages. Next, submit a written claim directly to the airline, using its online form or email, and include passenger details, flight numbers, dates, and the compensation amount requested under EU261.
After submission, keep records of all correspondence and allow the airline time to respond, since processing can take several weeks. If the claim is rejected or ignored, escalate by contacting the national enforcement body in the relevant country, using an approved dispute resolution service where available, or pursuing court action as a last resort. Throughout the process, avoid accepting vouchers unless you understand the terms, and consider professional help only after weighing fees against the potential payout.
EU261 Compensation by Delay Length
| Step | Action | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Check eligibility | Confirm delay ≥3 hours and flight covered by EU261 |
| 2 | Gather documents | Keep boarding pass, booking confirmation, receipts |
| 3 | Submit claim | File with airline via online form or letter |
| 4 | Escalate if needed | Contact national enforcement body or ADR |