Who is protected
Passengers on flights departing from the EU, Iceland, Norway or Switzerland, with any airline; and passengers on flights arriving there from elsewhere, if the airline is based in the EU. It applies whatever your nationality and however you booked.
Compensation amounts
€250 (up to 1,500 km), €400 (1,500–3,500 km, or within the EU over 1,500 km), €600 (over 3,500 km). Long-haul delays of 3–4 hours can be reduced by 50%.
Right to care
During long waits, the airline must give you meals and refreshments, a way to communicate, and hotel accommodation with transfers if an overnight stay is needed. This applies even in extraordinary circumstances.
Refund or rerouting
With a cancellation, denied boarding or a delay of 5 hours or more, you can choose a refund within 7 days or a new flight to your destination.
Extraordinary circumstances
The airline doesn't owe compensation if the disruption was caused by events it could not control and could not have avoided with all reasonable measures, such as severe weather, political instability, security risks, air traffic control decisions or strikes by third parties. Technical faults are generally not extraordinary (Wallentin-Hermann, C-549/07).
Deadlines to claim
EU261 doesn't set a deadline; national law does. It ranges from 1 year in Belgium and Poland to 2 years in the Netherlands, 3 years in Germany and 5–6 years in France, Spain, Ireland and the UK.
What changes from 23 October 2027
Regulation (EU) 2026/2202 keeps the 3-hour threshold and the €250/€400/€600 amounts. New: you must claim within 9 months, airlines must send claim instructions within 96 hours and pay or explain a refusal within 30 days, and long-haul delays of up to 4 hours are paid at 50%.
Common questions
Does EU261 apply to package holidays?
Yes. Flights that are part of a package are covered too.
Does EU261 apply to private jets or free tickets?
Free tickets not available to the public, such as staff tickets, are not covered. Tickets bought with miles or under loyalty programmes are covered.