EU 261 Flight Compensation Explained How to Claim Up to 600 for Delays and Cancellations

Welcome to Travel Advice Bureau, your trusted guide to making sense of travel rules and protecting your rights abroad. A delayed or cancelled flight can quickly disrupt your plans, but EU 261 may give you the right to claim compensation of up to €600, as well as refreshments, accommodation, a refund or alternative transport.

Let us guide you through the rules in clear, practical terms: who is covered, how much you could claim and what to do next.

This guide reflects the rules and official guidance available on 16 August 2026. It is general travel advice rather than legal advice.

What is EU 261

EU 261, formally Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, is the European law protecting air passengers affected by:

• Long delays

• Flight cancellations

• Involuntary denied boarding, often caused by overbooking

The regulation sets fixed compensation amounts. These are separate from your right to a ticket refund, rerouting or reasonable expenses incurred while waiting.

The official EU air passenger rights guidance confirms that airlines must also provide care during qualifying disruption.

“Compensation is not paid automatically and you will need to claim this directly from your airline in the first instance.” , UK Civil Aviation Authority

Which flights are covered by EU 261

EU 261 generally applies in the following situations:

• Your flight departs from an airport in the EU, regardless of the airline.

• Your flight departs from the EU to a non-EU country, regardless of the airline.

• Your flight arrives in the EU from outside the EU and is operated by an EU airline.

• Your journey is within the EU and is operated by an EU or non-EU airline.

For these rules, the EU framework also includes Iceland, Norway and Switzerland, as well as certain European and overseas territories.

The operating airline is normally responsible for the claim, even if you booked through a travel agent, tour operator or another website. If you travelled on several flights under one reservation, compensation may be calculated using your final destination.

What about flights from the UK

Since Brexit, the UK has its own version called UK261. It broadly mirrors EU 261 but compensation is usually paid in pounds.

UK261 generally applies when:

• Your flight departs from a UK airport, regardless of the airline.

• Your flight arrives in the UK from an EU destination on a UK or EU airline.

• Your flight arrives in the UK from outside the EU on a UK airline.

A flight from London to Spain, for example, will usually be covered by UK261 rather than EU 261. A flight from Spain to the UK on an EU airline may be covered by EU 261. Do not claim twice for the same disruption.

For UK-specific guidance, see the Civil Aviation Authority advice on flight delays.

How much EU 261 compensation can you claim

EU 261 compensation is based mainly on the great-circle distance of the flight, not the price you paid for your ticket.

Flight distance	Standard compensation
1,500 km or less	€250 per passenger
More than 1,500 km within the EU, or other flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km	€400 per passenger
More than 3,500 km	€600 per passenger

A family of four could therefore potentially claim €1,000, €1,600 or €2,400 in total, depending on the route and circumstances.

There are exceptions. If the airline offers suitable rerouting and you reach your destination within certain time limits, compensation may be reduced by 50%. Some long-haul delay situations may also fall into a lower compensation band depending on the route and arrival delay.

When a delayed flight qualifies

For a delay claim, the important measurement is usually when you arrive at your final destination, not simply how late the aircraft leaves.

You may qualify for compensation if:

• You arrive at least three hours late.

• EU 261 applies to your flight.

• The disruption was not caused by extraordinary circumstances.

The arrival time is generally linked to when at least one aircraft door is opened and passengers can leave the aircraft. For connecting flights on one booking, the delay is measured at the final destination.

Extraordinary circumstances

An airline may avoid paying compensation if it proves that the disruption resulted from circumstances that could not have been avoided even if reasonable measures had been taken.

Examples can include:

• Severe weather

• Air traffic management restrictions

• Security risks

• Political instability

• Certain external strikes

However, the airline must be able to explain the reason. Many routine technical faults and internal airline staffing strikes are not automatically extraordinary circumstances.

Paul’s practical tip: do not accept “operational reasons” as a complete answer. Ask the airline to explain precisely what happened and why it believes the circumstances were outside its control.

When a cancellation qualifies

If your flight is cancelled, the airline must normally offer you a choice between:

• A refund

• Rerouting to your destination at the earliest opportunity

• Rerouting at a later date that suits you, subject to available seats

You may also be entitled to fixed compensation if:

• You were told about the cancellation less than 14 days before departure.

• The airline cannot prove extraordinary circumstances.

• The alternative flight offered does not fall within the permitted departure and arrival time limits.

For example, if you are informed between seven and 14 days before departure, compensation may not be due if the replacement flight leaves no more than two hours earlier and arrives less than four hours after the original scheduled arrival.

If you are told less than seven days before departure, the replacement generally needs to leave no more than one hour earlier and arrive less than two hours after the original scheduled arrival to avoid compensation.

Denied boarding and overbooking

Denied boarding can qualify for compensation when you:

• Have a valid booking.

• Arrive at check-in or the gate on time.

• Have the correct travel documents.

• Are refused boarding against your will because of overbooking or operational reasons.

You should then be offered compensation, care and a choice between a refund or rerouting.

The rules are different if you volunteer to give up your seat in exchange for benefits. In that case, you negotiate directly with the airline and the standard EU 261 compensation may not apply.

You may also be refused boarding for legitimate reasons such as health, safety, security or inadequate travel documents. Always ask the airline to confirm the reason in writing.

Your right to care during disruption

Compensation and care are separate rights. Even when a delay is caused by severe weather and no cash compensation is payable, the airline may still have to look after you while you wait.

Depending on the distance, care normally begins after:

• Two hours for flights of 1,500 km or less

• Three hours for EU flights over 1,500 km and other flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km

• Four hours for longer flights

Care can include:

• Reasonable meals and refreshments

• Two phone calls, emails or other communications

• Hotel accommodation when an overnight stay is necessary

• Transport between the airport and hotel

“Meals and refreshments in a reasonable relation to the waiting time” , Article 9 of Regulation (EC) No 261/2004

If the airline does not provide assistance, buy only what is reasonable and necessary. Keep itemised receipts. Luxury hotels, expensive meals and alcoholic drinks may be rejected.

If your flight is delayed by at least five hours at departure, you may choose not to travel and request a refund for the unused part of your booking.

How to claim EU 261 compensation step by step

1. Check whether the rules apply

Confirm:

• Departure and arrival airports

• Operating airline

• Flight date and number

• Whether you arrived at least three hours late

• Whether the booking was one reservation or separate tickets

2. Work out the likely amount

Use the final destination and the distance bands above. Remember that compensation is normally paid per passenger and is separate from expense reimbursement.

3. Gather your evidence

Keep:

• Booking confirmation

• Boarding passes

• Flight number and date

• Airline emails and text messages

• Photographs of airport departure boards

• The actual arrival time

• Receipts for meals, refreshments, hotels and transport

Paul’s practical tip: take a quick photograph of the airport board before leaving the terminal. Airline apps sometimes update later and can remove useful details.

4. Claim directly from the operating airline

Use the airline’s EU 261 form or customer services department. Include:

• Your booking reference

• Passenger names

• Flight details

• The scheduled and actual arrival times

• The reason given for the disruption

• The compensation amount you are claiming

• Receipts for reasonable expenses

State clearly that you are claiming under Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, Article 7, and that you are also requesting reimbursement under Articles 8 and 9 where relevant.

5. Escalate if necessary

If the airline rejects your claim, ask it to explain the precise reason and provide evidence for any extraordinary circumstances.

For EU flights, you can complain to the relevant national enforcement body. The official EU guidance says you can usually escalate if the airline has not replied within two months or if its response is unsatisfactory.

For UK261 claims, you may be able to use an approved alternative dispute resolution provider or the CAA’s Passenger Advice and Complaints Team after eight weeks.

Claim deadlines and common pitfalls

EU 261 does not currently set one universal deadline for every country. Time limits for court claims are generally governed by national law, so they can differ depending on the relevant jurisdiction.

Our advice is simple: claim as soon as possible, even if you believe you have several years. Evidence becomes harder to find, airline records may be less accessible and national deadlines can be complicated.

Common mistakes include:

• Claiming from the booking agent instead of the operating airline

• Measuring the delay at departure rather than final arrival

• Accepting vouchers when you want cash

• Signing away rights without reading the terms

• Booking separate self-transfer flights and assuming the whole journey is protected

• Spending excessively on food or accommodation

• Forgetting to claim expenses separately from compensation

• Accepting an unexplained “extraordinary circumstances” response

Make your wider travel plans with confidence

At Travel Advice Bureau, our goal is to help you travel with fewer surprises and better information. Explore our travel resources, browse destination guidance through our destinations page, or contact us if you need help planning your next journey.

If you are arranging a European escape after securing your flights, our trusted recommendation is Worldwide Apartments. The accommodation specialist offers apartments and villas across Italy, Sardinia and other European destinations, including family-friendly stays and coastal properties. Take a look at its available properties and check the booking terms carefully before reserving.

A delayed flight does not have to derail your travel dreams. Know your rights, keep your records and make your claim directly: your next adventure starts with informed decisions.