How much you can get
| Flight distance | Compensation |
|---|---|
| Up to 1,500 km | €250 |
| 1,500–3,500 km | €400 |
| Over 3,500 km | €600 |
Flights within the EU over 1,500 km pay €400, not €600. On flights over 3,500 km that arrive 3–4 hours late, the amount can be halved to €300.
You are covered when the flight arrives 3 or more hours late, is cancelled less than 14 days before departure, or you are denied boarding against your will — unless the airline proves extraordinary circumstances.
An update to the regulation was agreed in 2026 and is expected to apply from about 2027; until then these rules stand.
Source: eur-lex.europa.eu. This is a summary, not legal advice.
Examples from routes on this site
How to claim it yourself
Write to the airline with your booking reference, flight number and date and ask for compensation under Article 7 of Regulation 261/2004. If they refuse or don’t answer within about six weeks, complain to the national enforcement body of the country you flew from, or use a claim service.
No win, no fee: AirHelp keeps 35% of the payout (VAT included), plus 15% if the case goes to court; Compensair keeps 30%, plus 10% if extra legal costs arise. They take EU261 and UK261 cases. Claiming directly from the airline is free.