Most travelers accept a flight delay as bad luck and move on. What most don't know: if your flight departed from or arrived in the EU or UK, the airline may legally owe you up to €600 per person — regardless of how cheap the ticket was.
Here's what your rights actually are, when they apply, and how to collect without spending hours on hold with airline customer service.
The Law That Protects You: EU Regulation 261/2004
EU Regulation 261/2004 (EU261) is a European law that entitles air passengers to fixed cash compensation when airlines disrupt their travel. It applies when:
- Your flight departed from an EU airport (any airline), OR
- Your flight arrived at an EU airport on an EU-based carrier
And the disruption was one of:
- Delay of 3+ hours at your final destination
- Cancellation with less than 14 days' notice
- Denied boarding due to overbooking
Fixed compensation amounts (per passenger):
| Route Distance | Compensation | |---|---| | Under 1,500 km (short haul) | €250 | | 1,500–3,500 km (medium haul) | €400 | | Over 3,500 km (long haul) | €600 |
These amounts are set by law and apply regardless of what you paid for the ticket. A €49 Ryanair fare can still yield €600 in compensation. The airline cannot pay you less or substitute with vouchers unless you agree.
UK261 — the post-Brexit equivalent — applies to flights departing from UK airports and matches EU261 in coverage and compensation amounts (in GBP).
When EU261 Does NOT Apply
The law includes an "extraordinary circumstances" exemption that airlines use aggressively:
- Severe weather (genuine, not "light rain")
- Air traffic control strikes
- Political unrest or security threats
- Bird strikes or hidden manufacturing defects
Airlines routinely cite extraordinary circumstances for disruptions they actually caused (crew shortages, mechanical issues, scheduling errors). The key word is "extraordinary" — routine operational problems don't qualify. If an airline cites this exemption and your claim is disputed, it typically requires legal escalation to sort out.
What About US Flights?
US law is significantly weaker for passengers. The Department of Transportation (DOT) does not require airlines to pay fixed cash compensation for delays — only for involuntary denied boarding (overbooking):
- Short delays (under 2 hours): 200% of one-way fare, up to $775
- Longer delays: 400% of one-way fare, up to $1,550
For cancellations, US airlines are required to offer a full refund to the original payment method — but no additional compensation beyond that. Some airlines voluntarily offer travel credits or rebooking, but it's not mandatory.
The one exception: if your US flight connects to or from an EU/UK flight, the EU261 leg may still be claimable.
What to Do at the Airport
Documentation matters if you later file a claim:
- Get the delay reason in writing. Ask a gate agent for written confirmation of the reason for delay or cancellation. This matters if the airline later claims extraordinary circumstances.
- Screenshot the departure board showing your flight's status.
- Save all boarding passes and booking confirmations.
- Keep receipts for meals, transport, or accommodation you paid for due to the delay — EU261 also entitles you to a duty of care (meals, hotel, transport) for long delays regardless of compensation eligibility.
- Don't accept vouchers under pressure. You are entitled to cash compensation, not flight credits. Only accept vouchers if you genuinely prefer them.
Your Options for Filing a Claim
Option 1: File Directly with the Airline
You can submit a claim through the airline's website or customer service. This costs nothing and gets you 100% of the compensation if successful.
The reality: Airlines routinely ignore, delay, or reject claims with boilerplate responses. The process can take months, and many passengers give up. Some airlines require you to escalate to a National Enforcement Body (NEB) or go to court, which most travelers won't do.
Best for: Claims against airlines with a reputation for paying quickly (KLM, Lufthansa, British Airways have variable but functional processes). Budget for 4–12 weeks and multiple follow-ups.
Option 2: Use a Claims Service
Services like AirAdvisor file the claim on your behalf, handle all airline communication, escalate legally if needed, and take a commission (typically 25–35%) only if the claim succeeds. If you win nothing, you pay nothing.
The tradeoff: You net 65–75% of your compensation instead of 100%, but you invest zero time and the service handles the legal escalation that most individuals can't or won't pursue.
Best for: Claims the airline is likely to dispute, long-haul routes where compensation is €600 (25–35% commission still leaves you €390–€450), and anyone who doesn't want to spend hours dealing with airlines.
Which Option Is Right?
| Situation | Recommended approach | |---|---| | Airline has a good claims track record, simple case | File direct | | Low-cost carrier or airline that routinely disputes claims | Use AirAdvisor | | Long-haul flight (€600 potential) | Use AirAdvisor — fee is worth it | | You enjoy paperwork and have time | File direct | | You want it handled and to move on | Use AirAdvisor |
How AirAdvisor Works
- Enter your flight number and travel date at AirAdvisor.com
- Their system checks eligibility in seconds against EU261, UK261, and international aviation law
- If eligible, submit your details — takes under 5 minutes
- AirAdvisor handles all airline contact, legal escalation, and court proceedings if required
- You receive compensation (minus their commission) when the claim is paid
Commission: 25% for standard claims, 35% if legal action is required. No upfront payment.
AirAdvisor has filed 500,000+ claims and covers EU261, UK261, and the Montreal Convention (which covers long-haul international routes). The average processing time for uncontested claims is 4–8 weeks; contested claims requiring legal action run 3–12 months.
How Much Could You Be Owed?
Quick estimate by route:
| Example Route | Distance | Compensation | |---|---|---| | London → Paris | ~340 km | €250 | | Amsterdam → Madrid | ~1,460 km | €250 | | London → New York | ~5,500 km | €600 | | Paris → Chicago | ~7,200 km | €600 | | Frankfurt → Tokyo | ~9,350 km | €600 |
For a family of four on a transatlantic route: €2,400 total — well worth the 5-minute claim submission.
Check Your Eligibility Now
Flights up to 3 years old are eligible in most EU countries (some jurisdictions extend this further). If you've had a significant delay or cancellation in the past few years, it's worth checking whether a claim still applies.
→ Check if your flight qualifies on AirAdvisor — free eligibility check, no commitment required.
Bottom Line
EU261 is one of the strongest passenger protection laws in the world, and most eligible passengers never collect the compensation they're legally owed. The two reasons: they don't know the law exists, or they give up when the airline pushes back.
If your flight was delayed, cancelled, or overbooked on an EU or UK route:
- Check eligibility (takes 60 seconds)
- File direct if you want to keep 100% and have time
- Use AirAdvisor if you want it handled and are on a high-value route
The compensation doesn't expire quickly, and the claim costs you nothing to attempt.
Last reviewed: June 2026 by GoodBetterBestReviews editorial team. Compensation amounts and eligibility criteria are based on current EU261/2004 and UK261 regulations — consult the relevant National Enforcement Body for your specific situation.