Know your rights
We believe that every air passenger should be aware of their rights. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you know your rights.
Delays
Your flight must have arrived at its destination 3 or more than 3 hours late
Cancellations
If you have been informed of cancellation less than 14 days before departure
Overbooking
The airline overbooked your flight and you will not find a seat on board, which is equivalent to denied boarding.
Missed connecting flight
If the final destination is reached 3 or more than 3 hours later due to a missed connecting flight
Compensation
€250
Flight under 1500 km
€400
Flight between 1 500 - 3 500 km
€600
Flight more than 3500km
Most routes within Europe are covered. This includes not only the airspace within the EU but also Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and some other regions. Many international flights are also covered. If your flight departs from an airport within the EU, it is covered. If your flight departs from another location but your destination is within the EU, coverage depends on the airline. If it is a European airline, you are covered. Here’s a simple table to help you:
| Itinerary | EU Airline | Non-EU Airline |
|---|---|---|
| From within the EU to outside | Covered | Covered |
| From outside the EU to within | Covered | Not Covered |
| From within the EU to within | Covered | Covered |
| From outside the EU to outside | Not Covered | Not Covered |
In some cases, flight disruptions outside the EU may be eligible for compensation under EC261 if the flight connects to another flight with the same airline that is covered and is part of the same booking (under the same booking number). The easiest way to find out if you are covered is to use Flygpengardirekt’s eligibility checker.
Length of Delay
| Length of Delay | Less than 3 hours | 3 – 4 hours | More than 4 hours | Never Arrived |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All flights shorter than 1,500 km | € – | €250 | €250 | €250 |
| EU flights longer than 1,500 km | € – | €400 | €400 | €400 |
| Non-EU flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km | € – | €400 | €400 | €400 |
| Non-EU flights longer than 3,500 km | € – | €300 | €600 | €600 |
This table provides a clear overview of the compensation amounts based on the length of delay and the flight distance.
As simple as that
3 steps to your compensation
Check your right to compensation free of charge. Whether your flight was delayed, cancelled, rebooked or you missed your connecting flight.
If you choose the Instant Payout option you will get your money within 24h.
We put pressure on the airline. If necessary, we go all the way to court. Without stress and risk for you.
Check if you are entitled to payout within 24h!
Delayed Flights
If your flight is delayed, you may be entitled to compensation and assistance depending on the length of the delay and the distance of your flight.
- Delays of 2 Hours or More: For short-haul flights (up to 1,500 km), you are entitled to food, drinks, and access to communication (e.g., free phone calls or emails).
- Delays of 3 Hours or More: For medium-haul flights (1,500 km to 3,500 km), you are entitled to similar assistance as short-haul flights.
- Delays of 4 Hours or More: For long-haul flights (over 3,500 km), you are entitled to the same assistance plus, if the delay extends overnight, accommodation and transportation to and from the airport.
If your arrival is delayed by 3 hours or more, you may be eligible for compensation ranging from €250 to €600, depending on the flight distance and the reason for the delay.
Which flights are covered by EC 261?
EC 261 applies to flights within the EU, flights departing from an EU airport, and flights arriving at an EU airport operated by an EU airline. This includes flights from Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and the EU’s outermost regions, such as French Guiana, Martinique, Mayotte, Guadeloupe, Réunion, Saint-Martin, Madeira, the Azores, and the Canary Islands. Coverage is comprehensive, ensuring passengers on a wide range of flights can seek compensation if their flights are delayed.
Are all delays covered?
Delays are covered if they exceed three hours upon arrival at the destination. However, not all delays are eligible for compensation. If the delay is caused by extraordinary circumstances beyond the airline’s control, such as extreme weather, political instability, security risks, or strikes by third parties, the airline is not obliged to provide compensation. This provision is designed to protect airlines from factors they cannot influence while still ensuring passenger rights are respected in most delay scenarios.
How much compensation am I entitled to for my delay?
Compensation for delayed flights under EC 261 is calculated based on the distance of the flight and the length of the delay. For delays of three hours or more, passengers are entitled to:
- €250 for flights of 1,500 km or less.
- €400 for flights within the EU of more than 1,500 km and for all other flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km.
- €600 for flights of more than 3,500 km. Additionally, if the delay is between three and four hours, the compensation can be reduced by 50% if the airline offers re-routing that results in a delay within this time frame.
Is my entire journey eligible if I have connecting flights?
Yes, if you have connecting flights that are part of the same booking, your entire journey is considered when assessing eligibility for compensation. If a delay on an initial flight causes you to miss a connecting flight, resulting in a delay of three hours or more at your final destination, you are eligible for compensation. This is true even if the connecting flight is operated by a different airline, as long as the flights were booked under the same reservation. It’s important to keep all your tickets and boarding passes as evidence.
What information should I collect to support my claim?
To support your claim, gather the following information:
- Your flight tickets and boarding passes.
- Written communication from the airline regarding the delay.
- Proof of the actual arrival time at your final destination (e.g., a photo of the airport’s arrival board).
- Receipts for any expenses incurred due to the delay, such as meals, accommodation, and transportation.
- Keep a detailed record of all interactions with the airline, including dates and times of conversations. This documentation will strengthen your claim and help ensure you receive the compensation you are entitled to under EC 261.
Is there a time limit for filing a claim?
Yes, there is a time limit for filing a compensation claim under EC 261, and it varies by country. Generally, you have between two to five years from the date of the delayed flight to submit your claim. For example, in the UK and Ireland, the time limit is six years, while in Germany, it is three years. It’s important to check the specific limitation period in the country where you are filing your claim to ensure you don’t miss the deadline. Acting promptly will help avoid any issues related to the expiry of the claim period.
Are there any other rights under EC 261?
Yes, passengers have additional rights under EC 261. Beyond financial compensation, if your flight is delayed by two hours or more (depending on the flight distance), the airline must provide:
- Meals and refreshments.
- Access to communication (two free phone calls, emails, or faxes).
- Accommodation and transportation to and from the hotel if the delay requires an overnight stay. Additionally, if the delay exceeds five hours, passengers have the right to cancel their flight and receive a full refund, including for any unused parts of the ticket, and a return flight to the first point of departure if the delay affects connecting flights. These provisions ensure that passengers are well cared for during significant delays.
Check if you are entitled to payout within 24h!
Cancelled Flights
Which flights are covered by EC 261?
EC 261 covers flights within the EU, flights departing from an EU airport, and flights arriving at an EU airport operated by an EU airline. This includes flights from Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and the EU’s outermost regions (French Guiana, Martinique, Mayotte, Guadeloupe, Réunion, Saint-Martin, Madeira, the Azores, and the Canary Islands). Essentially, the regulation ensures comprehensive coverage for a broad range of flights, protecting passengers on both domestic and international routes involving the EU.
Are all cancellations covered?
Not all cancellations are covered. To be eligible for compensation, the cancellation must occur less than 14 days before the scheduled departure date. However, if the cancellation is due to extraordinary circumstances beyond the airline’s control, such as severe weather, political unrest, security threats, or strikes by airport staff or air traffic control, compensation may not be provided. If the airline offers an alternative flight that departs close to the original departure time and arrives close to the original arrival time, compensation may also be reduced or not required.
How much compensation am I entitled to for my cancelled flight?
Compensation for cancelled flights under EC 261 depends on the distance of the flight and the timing of the alternative flight offered:
- €250 for flights of 1,500 km or less.
- €400 for flights within the EU of more than 1,500 km and all other flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km.
- €600 for flights over 3,500 km. If an alternative flight is offered and arrives within a specific time frame compared to the original flight, the compensation can be reduced by 50%. The regulation aims to balance passenger inconvenience with reasonable remedies for airlines.
Is my entire journey eligible if I have connecting flights?
Yes, if you have connecting flights that are part of the same booking and a cancellation on any segment causes you to miss subsequent flights, your entire journey is eligible for compensation. The key factor is that the flights are booked under the same reservation. This ensures that passengers are compensated for disruptions affecting their entire travel itinerary, not just the segment that was directly impacted. It’s crucial to retain all your tickets and boarding passes as proof of your booking and travel details.
What information should I collect to support my claim?
To support your claim, gather the following documentation:
- Flight tickets and boarding passes.
- Communication from the airline about the cancellation.
- Proof of alternative flights offered and taken, including the arrival times.
- Receipts for any additional expenses incurred due to the cancellation, such as accommodation, meals, and transportation.
- Any other relevant correspondence with the airline. Having comprehensive documentation will substantiate your claim and facilitate the compensation process under EC 261.
Is there a time limit for filing a claim?
Yes, the time limit for filing a compensation claim under EC 261 varies by country. Generally, you have between two to five years from the date of the cancelled flight to submit your claim. For example, in the UK and Ireland, the time limit is six years, while in Germany, it is three years. It is crucial to check the specific limitation period in the country where you are filing your claim to ensure you submit it within the allowed time frame. Prompt action helps avoid issues related to the expiry of the claim period.
Are there any other rights under EC 261?
Yes, passengers have additional rights under EC 261 beyond financial compensation. If your flight is cancelled, the airline must offer you the choice between:
- Re-routing to your final destination at the earliest opportunity under comparable conditions.
- Re-routing at a later date at your convenience, subject to seat availability.
- A full refund of the ticket cost, including for any unused parts of the journey. Additionally, if the cancellation causes significant delays and requires an overnight stay, the airline must provide meals, refreshments, accommodation, and transportation between the airport and the accommodation. These provisions ensure that passengers are adequately taken care of during disruptions caused by flight cancellations.
Other information
Denied Boarding
If you are denied boarding due to overbooking or other reasons within the airline’s control, you are entitled to:
- Compensation: Immediate compensation ranging from €250 to €600, depending on the flight distance.
- Re-routing or Reimbursement: Choose between a refund of your ticket or an alternative flight.
- Right to Care: Meals, refreshments, accommodation, and transport between the airport and the accommodation if needed.
Downgraded or Upgraded Seats
- Downgrade: If you are placed in a lower class than that for which the ticket was purchased, you are entitled to a reimbursement of 30% to 75% of the ticket price, depending on the flight distance.
- Upgrade: If you are placed in a higher class, the airline cannot charge you extra for the upgrade.
Right to Information
Airlines are required to inform you of your rights. They must provide clear and comprehensible information about your rights at the airport, especially during delays, cancellations, or denied boarding situations.
Extraordinary Circumstances
There are situations where airlines are not required to provide compensation, such as:
- Severe weather conditions
- Security risks
- Political instability
- Strikes that affect the operation of the airline
However, even in these cases, airlines must still offer assistance and care as described above.
