When can you claim for a delayed flight?
You can claim when all of these apply: the flight departed from the EU, EEA, Switzerland or the UK, or arrived there on an EU or UK airline; you arrived at your final destination at least 3 hours late; the delay wasn't caused by extraordinary circumstances; and the flight was no longer ago than the deadline in the relevant country.
How is the delay measured?
What counts is your arrival time at the final destination, measured when the doors open (Court of Justice case C-452/13, Germanwings). A flight that leaves 4 hours late but makes up time and arrives 2h50 late does not qualify. On a connecting journey on one booking, the delay at the end of the trip counts.
How much do you get?
€250 for flights up to 1,500 km, €400 for 1,500–3,500 km and for flights within the EU over 1,500 km, and €600 for flights over 3,500 km. For long-haul flights delayed between 3 and 4 hours, the airline may pay 50%.
Which reasons don't count as an excuse?
Technical problems with the aircraft, crew shortages, strikes by the airline's own staff and a late incoming aircraft are the airline's responsibility. Severe weather, air traffic control restrictions, airport strikes and security threats usually exempt the airline, but only if the airline proves it did everything reasonable to avoid the delay.
Your right to care while you wait
From 2 hours of delay (3 hours for medium flights, 4 for long-haul) the airline must offer meals and drinks, two phone calls or emails, and a hotel and transport if you have to stay overnight. Keep receipts if you paid yourself; you can claim them back separately.
Common questions
Does it matter how much I paid for my ticket?
No. Compensation is a fixed amount per passenger, even for cheap tickets or tickets paid with miles.
My flight left late but I arrived less than 3 hours late. Can I claim?
Not compensation, but you may still be entitled to meals and drinks while you waited.
Can I claim if I booked through a travel agent?
Yes. The claim is against the airline that operated the flight, however you booked.