On flights from the EU or by an EU airline, passengers can claim care and a refund or rebooking after a long delay or cancellation. A fixed compensation of 250 to 600 euros can apply in many cases. Details depend on the cause and the delay time.
This is a general overview, not legal advice. Check the rules of your route and airline.
What you can usually ask for
| Situation | What you can ask for |
|---|---|
| Long delay | Food and drink, calls, a hotel if overnight |
| Cancellation | Refund or rebooking, plus care |
| Denied boarding (overbooked) | Compensation, refund or rebooking |
Compensation
In many cases the EU rules give a fixed compensation of 250 to 600 euros depending on the distance, if the delay at arrival is long or the flight is cancelled at short notice and the cause is not an extraordinary event such as severe weather.
What to do
- Keep your boarding pass, booking confirmation and receipts.
- Ask for the reason in writing.
- Claim with the airline first, then with a national enforcement body if needed.
Connections
On one ticket the airline must help if a delay makes you miss the connection. On separate tickets it does not.
Questions
How long do I have to claim? Time limits differ by country and can be several years.