How to claim flight delay compensation

If your flight arrives three hours or more late at your final destination, EU Regulation 261/2004 may entitle you to fixed compensation of €250, €400 or €600 depending on distance — in addition to any care you received at the airport.

1. Confirm EU261 covers your flight

Check that your journey:

• Departed from an EU airport (any airline), or
• Arrived in the EU on an EU airline

Connecting flights on a single booking are assessed on the delay at your final destination.

2. Note the delay and distance

• Measure the delay at arrival, not only at departure.
• Estimate great-circle distance to choose the €250 / €400 / €600 band.
• Keep evidence: booking, boarding pass, app notifications, photos of boards.

3. File promptly

National time limits vary across the EU. Filing soon after the trip makes it easier to gather proof and speeds assessment.

4. Decide: airline direct vs specialist

You can complain to the airline yourself. Many passengers use a specialist such as TicketRefund to handle the process on a no win, no fee basis — you pay a commission only if the claim succeeds.

5. What happens after you submit

1. We check eligibility under EU261.
2. We contact the airline with your evidence.
3. If successful, compensation is paid according to the claim terms you accepted.

Common pitfalls

• Claiming for a delay under three hours at final destination
• Assuming a non-EU carrier into the EU is always covered
• Losing booking references or boarding passes
• Ignoring extraordinary-circumstances arguments — still keep care and refund rights in mind

Ready to file? Use our secure portal:

Start your flight delay claim →