Flight Delay Compensation Under EU Regulation 261/2004

Under EU Regulation 261/2004, passengers may be entitled to EUR 250-600 compensation if their flight arrived at least 3 hours late at the final destination. This applies to all flights departing from an EU airport and flights arriving in the EU on an EU-based airline -- regardless of ticket price.

Am I entitled to flight delay compensation?

Under Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 you may be entitled to between EUR 250 and EUR 600 if your flight arrived at its final destination at least 3 hours late. The amount depends on the flight distance — EUR 250 up to 1,500 km, EUR 400 for flights within the EU over 1,500 km and all other flights up to 3,500 km, EUR 600 for all other flights — never on the ticket price. The rules cover every flight departing from an EU/EEA airport, plus flights into the EU on an EU airline; the European Court of Justice confirmed the 3-hour threshold in Sturgeon (C-402/07). Airlines only escape payment for genuinely extraordinary circumstances such as severe weather or air-traffic-control restrictions — ordinary technical faults do not count (Wallentin-Hermann, C-549/07). You can claim yourself, free of charge, directly with the airline, and depending on the country you usually have one to six years to do so. ClaimEU261 generates the legally referenced complaint letter for a one-time flat fee.

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How much compensation can you claim for a flight delay?

EU261 compensation table for flight delays
Flight DistanceCompensationExample Route
Up to 1,500 km250 EURBerlin - Munich, Frankfurt - Paris
1,500 to 3,500 km, plus all flights within the EU over 1,500 km400 EURFrankfurt - Istanbul, Munich - Lisbon
All other flights (between the EU and a non-EU country, over 3,500 km)600 EURFrankfurt - New York, Munich - Dubai

Flights to the EU's outermost regions — such as the Canary Islands, Madeira, the Azores or Réunion — count as flights within the EU. The Regulation therefore provides 400 euros for them, even where the distance exceeds 3,500 km.

How do you claim flight delay compensation yourself?

  1. 1

    Check eligibility

    Verify that your flight meets the requirements: EU departure or EU airline, at least 3 hours delay, no extraordinary circumstances.

  2. 2

    Enter flight data

    Enter your flight number, date, departure and arrival airport into our form. We automatically calculate the distance and compensation amount.

  3. 3

    Generate complaint letter

    Our AI generates a personalized, legally sound complaint letter with all relevant EU261 references for just 10.00 EUR.

  4. 4

    Send to airline

    Download the completed letter as a PDF and send it via email or post to the airline. Response deadline: 6 weeks.

When are you entitled to compensation — and when not?

When does the claim apply?

  • Flight departs from the EU (any airline)
  • Flight arrives in the EU on an EU-based airline
  • Delay at final destination is at least 3 hours
  • Flight is not more than 3 years ago (in Germany)

When is the claim invalid?

  • Extraordinary circumstances: extreme weather, political instability, security risks
  • Air traffic control strikes (not airline staff)
  • Delay under 3 hours at final destination
  • Flight departs outside the EU with a non-EU airline

EU261 reform 2026: The EU has adopted new air passenger rights rules, but they only start applying around the second half of 2027. Flights today are governed by the current rules described on this page.

To the reform tracker: what changes — and what applies today

Airline rejected your claim or gone silent?

What you can reply — with CJEU citations

Frequently Asked Questions

When am I entitled to compensation for a flight delay?
You may be entitled to compensation when your flight arrives at its final destination at least 3 hours late. This applies to all flights departing from the EU or arriving in the EU on an EU-based airline.
How much compensation can I claim for a delayed flight?
The amount depends on the flight distance: EUR250 up to 1,500 km, EUR400 for flights within the EU over 1,500 km and all other flights up to 3,500 km, and EUR600 for all other flights. The distance is calculated as the great circle distance.
What are extraordinary circumstances?
Airlines can invoke extraordinary circumstances such as severe weather, political instability, security risks, or air traffic control strikes. Technical defects and airline staff strikes are generally NOT considered extraordinary.
How long do I have to claim my compensation?
In Germany, the limitation period is 3 years from the end of the year in which the flight took place. In other EU countries, the period varies between 1 and 6 years.
Does EU261 apply to non-EU airlines?
Yes, if the flight departs from the EU. For flights arriving in the EU, the regulation only applies if the airline is based in the EU.
What if the airline does not respond?
If the airline does not respond within 6 weeks or rejects your claim, you can contact the national enforcement body (in Germany: Luftfahrt-Bundesamt or soep arbitration) or pursue the claim in court.

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The information on this page is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. No liability is accepted for accuracy or completeness. For complex cases, we recommend consulting a lawyer.