Regulation EC 261/2004

Flight delayed?
You may be owed up to €600

Compensation is paid in cash and does not depend on the price of your ticket. Check your flight in a minute — free, no sign-up.

No sign-up Flights up to 3 years back 60 seconds
1Airline
Once selected, we will surface that airline’s destinations first
2Route
3What happened
Technical faults and scheduling issues are the carrier’s responsibility

Why the money stays with the airlines

Verifiable figures only — every number linked to its source

55%
of passengers never file a claim, even knowing they are entitled
AirHelp · Euronews
€3.2 bn
in unpaid compensation stays with carriers
AirHelp · Euronews
52%
of airline rejections turn out to be unjustified
AirHelp · Euronews
76.1%
on-time performance in Europe in 2025

How much is paid

The amount depends only on flight distance — a €30 ticket pays the same as an €800 one

Flight distanceDelay 3–4 hoursDelay 4+ hours or cancellation
up to 1,500 km€250€250
1,500 – 3,500 km€400€400
over 3,500 km€300€600

Paid per passenger holding a separate ticket, children included

Court of Justice case law

Real rulings that decide when an airline must pay — and when it need not

All rulings →

Guides

Practical walkthroughs: filing a claim yourself, when a refusal is lawful, missed connections

Frequently asked questions

Does compensation depend on the ticket price?

No. Under EU261 the amount depends only on flight distance: €250 up to 1,500 km, €400 from 1,500 to 3,500 km, €600 beyond 3,500 km. You can receive €600 on a ticket bought for €40.

How far back can I claim?

The limitation period varies by country: typically 2 to 6 years, most often 3. It is worth checking past trips, not just your latest flight.

The airline blamed the weather. Is that the end of it?

Not necessarily. Weather is indeed an extraordinary circumstance, but according to the AirHelp report 52% of refusals turn out to be unjustified — carriers cite weather where the real cause was a technical fault.

Is the delay measured at departure or arrival?

At arrival. The count runs from the moment the aircraft door opens at the destination — settled by the Court of Justice in Germanwings (C-452/13).

Is compensation paid for children?

Yes, for every passenger holding a separate ticket. Infants travelling free on a lap are the exception. For a family of four on a long-haul flight that can mean €2,400.

What about delays on domestic Russian flights?

EU261 does not apply. Under Article 120 of the Russian Air Code you are owed 100 roubles per hour of delay, capped at 50% of the fare, plus meals and a hotel for long waits.

Do claim services charge upfront?

No, they work on a “no win, no fee” basis. You can also file yourself — free, but slower and with a higher risk of a form-letter refusal.

Compensation by airline

Terms differ: whether the regulation applies depends on where the carrier is registered