Did you know that if your flight got delayed or canceled, you might be eligible for compensation? Unfortunately, a lot of travelers don’t know about that, but I’m here to tell you all about it. From knowing your rights to the necessary procedures, this guide covers everything you need to know about EU flight compensation.  

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What Is the EU261 Regulation and What Does It Have to Do With EU Flight Compensation?

The first step to knowing your rights as an air passenger is to understand the EU261 regulation. The EU261, also known as EC261, law is an EU law that protects air passengers who experience travel mishaps like flight delays, cancelations, and denied boarding. In this case, you might be entitled to flight compensation ranging from customer care perks to a full refund. 

It’s important to note that the EU261 applies to all flights operated by EU carriers or departing from airports within the EU region.

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Are You Eligible for EU Flight Compensation?

If your flight was delayed, or canceled, or you were denied boarding by an EU airline in the last 6 years, you could be eligible for compensation from €250 to €600. That is determined by the airport’s wait time and your flight’s travel distance. 

Here’s a breakdown of each case and your eligibility for EU flight compensation:

EU Flight Compensation for Delays

If you arrive at your destination 3 hours or more late, you are entitled to get compensation. However, the delay should not be caused by extraordinary circumstances such as unfavorable weather conditions, a strike that is external to the airline, or due to the risk of an act of terrorism. On the other hand, a technical difficulty, for example, is not considered extraordinary circumstances. Hence, you may be entitled to get compensated if the technical defect is due to something within the carrier’s control. 

Additionally, if the delay is more than 2 hours, you’d be entitled to additional support from the airline. That may include free refreshments, meals, phone calls, accommodation, or transfer to accommodation.

EU Flight Compensation for Cancelations

If your flight gets canceled, you always have the right to reimburse your ticket, re-route, or a return flight, and of course, get all the assistance you need, regardless of the circumstances. You may be entitled to an EU flight compensation as well if you were informed of the cancelation less than 14 days before the scheduled departure date. However, that’s only if the cancelation was not caused by extraordinary circumstances.

It’s also worth noting that if a flight has been brought forward by more than one hour, it’s considered a canceled one. In this case, you have the same rights as in case of a flight cancelation.

EU Flight Compensation for Denied Boarding and Overbooking

In cases of overbooking, which is actually common, this often leads to involuntary denied boarding. This makes passengers entitled to compensation, ticket reimbursement, or a route change.

EU Flight Compensation for Missed Flights

Connection flights with more than 3 hours of delay at the final destination also make passengers eligible for compensation. If the flights were booked under a single reservation, the compensation is determined based on the delay length and distance. 

However, compensation doesn’t apply in case of missed connections caused by security delays or boarding time non-compliance.

Check out if you’re eligible for compensation below

As I previously mentioned, the amount of EU flight compensation, if eligible, varies depending on the distance and length of the delay. Luckily, Compensair can help you calculate your compensation using this tool:

How to Claim Your EU Flight Compensation

Now that you know your rights, you might be wondering what to do if this happens to you. Well, if you find yourself entitled to EU flight compensation, you have 2 options:

#1 Contact the airline and file for compensation

The downside to this is that the process can be time-consuming and the paperwork can be daunting. However, if you decide to proceed with this option, here are some of the documents and physical evidence that you will need to provide:

• Flight ticket and boarding pass(es)
• Proof of delay such as written communication from the airline (e.g. emails, text alerts, etc…) or photos or screenshots of flight status. 
• Identification document(s)
• Receipts for extra expenses incurred due to the flight delay

#2 Hire a claims management company

If filing for an EU flight compensation claim sounds like a daunting task to you, then you might want to consider hiring a claims management company like Compensair. 

A claims management company will take care of not just the paperwork for you, but the negotiations with the airline and the legal proceedings as well. The only downside to this service is that it can be a little pricey. However, Compensair only charges a percentage of the compensation (around 25-35% service fee) IF YOU GET ONE. So, if you end up not receiving compensation for any reason, you don’t have to pay a dime. All you have to do is submit an application for free, send them your signed consent to negotiate on your behalf, and of course, provide them with the needed information about your flight and booking. 

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Filing Claims

• Not checking the cause of delay or cancelation and seeing if it’s a result of extraordinary circumstances or not.
• Missing deadlines as a result of not checking them right away, as those may vary from one airline or country to another.
• Assuming that airlines will be proactive in offering compensation without you asking.

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Lost, delayed, or damaged baggage

Since we’re on the topic, it’s important to know that your EU flight compensation is not limited to delays, cancelations, or denied boarding of the flight itself. Your compensation may also cover lost, delayed, or damaged baggage.

The EU also protects air passengers by making the airline liable for lost, damaged, or delayed checked baggage, and for damaged hand baggage. The compensation amount can go up to €1300; however, the passenger must file a written claim to the airline within 7 days after the baggage was lost or damaged and within 21 days after receiving the delayed baggage. 

In conclusion…

It’s very important to know our rights as travelers to ultimately protect our time, budget, and peace of mind. Staying informed means we get to handle common travel mishaps stress-free and with more confidence.  

So, tell me… Were you aware of the EU flight compensation regulations? Let me know in the comments. Also, don’t hesitate to share your own experience with delayed, canceled, or denied flights. 

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