This article contains affiliate links to flight compensation services. If you use them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It does not change the compensation you receive.
A three-hour delay feels like nothing more than a ruined afternoon. But if your flight touched Europe or the UK, it may also be worth up to €600 per passenger, in cash, on top of any meals or hotel the airline owes you. Most travelers never claim it: consumer group BEUC estimates airlines are sitting on about €3.2 billion in unclaimed compensation.
This guide explains who qualifies, how much you can get, what changes with the 2026 EU reform, and how to claim, either on your own for free or through a service like AirHelp or Compensair.
Quick Answer: Are You Owed Money?
You are likely owed €250 to €600 per passenger if all of these are true:
- Your flight departed from an EU or UK airport (any airline), or arrived in the EU or UK on an EU or UK airline.
- You arrived 3 or more hours late, your flight was canceled less than 14 days before departure, or you were denied boarding because of overbooking.
- The cause was within the airline's control, such as a technical problem, crew shortage or scheduling issue.
Not sure? A claim service can check your flight for free in about two minutes.
Check Your Flight with AirHelp
How Much Compensation Can You Get?
The amount depends on the distance of your flight, not on what you paid for the ticket. A €30 budget fare earns the same compensation as a full-price ticket on the same route.
| Flight distance | EU rules (EU261) | UK rules (UK261) |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 1,500 km (e.g. London to Paris) | €250 | £220 |
| 1,500 to 3,500 km (e.g. Berlin to Lisbon) | €400 | £350 |
| Over 3,500 km (most long-haul flights) | €600 | £520 |
For long-haul flights delayed between 3 and 4 hours, the amount can be reduced by half (for example, £260 instead of £520 under UK rules). Amounts are per passenger, so a family of four on a long-haul flight could be owed up to €2,400.
When You Are Not Owed Compensation
Airlines do not have to pay when the disruption was caused by extraordinary circumstances outside their control. Common examples:
- Severe weather that makes flying unsafe
- Air traffic control restrictions or strikes by airport or air traffic control staff
- Security risks, political unrest or airport closures
- Bird strikes and medical emergencies on board
Technical faults, crew shortages and most scheduling problems are generally not extraordinary circumstances, which is why so many claims succeed. Airlines often give a vague reason at the gate, so ask for the cause in writing and keep any emails or app notifications.
Even without compensation, you have rights. Under EU and UK rules, the airline must offer food and drinks during long waits, a hotel and transport if you are stuck overnight, and a choice between a refund or a new flight if it cancels. Keep your receipts if the airline does not provide these.
What About Flights in the United States?
US law does not require airlines to pay cash compensation for delays. The Department of Transportation proposed a rule that would have paid passengers $200 to $750 for long airline-caused delays, but it withdrew that proposal in November 2025.
What US travelers do have is the right to an automatic cash refund if a flight is canceled or significantly changed and they choose not to travel, instead of accepting a voucher or rebooking. And if you fly from Europe or the UK, including on a US airline, EU or UK compensation rules can still apply to that flight.
What the 2026 EU Reform Changes
After more than a decade of negotiations, the European Parliament (July 7, 2026) and the Council (July 13, 2026) approved an update to EU passenger rights. Airlines have 12 months to adapt, so the new rules are expected to apply from mid-2027.
- Unchanged: the 3-hour delay threshold and the €250, €400 and €600 compensation amounts.
- New claim deadline: passengers will have 9 months to file a claim using a standard EU form. Today, the deadline depends on the country where you claim and is often several years.
- Faster answers: airlines will have to explain how to claim within 4 days of the trip and pay or justify a refusal within 30 days.
- Extras: a free personal item on every ticket and free seating next to children under 14.
The practical takeaway: claim soon after a disruption. Once the reform applies, waiting too long could cost you the whole amount.
How to Claim It Yourself (Free)
- Collect your documents: booking confirmation, boarding pass, and any delay or cancellation messages.
- Note your actual arrival time. What counts is when the aircraft door opened at your final destination, not when you took off.
- Use the airline's compensation or EU261 claim form on its website. Mention the regulation (EU261 or UK261), your flight number and date, and the amount you are claiming.
- Wait for a reply. If the airline refuses or does not answer within about 6 to 8 weeks, you can escalate to the national enforcement body or an approved dispute resolution scheme in the country of departure.
Doing it yourself means you keep 100% of the money. The downside is time: airlines often reject first claims or cite extraordinary circumstances, and pushing back can take months.
Using a Claim Service: AirHelp vs Compensair
Claim services handle the paperwork, argue with the airline and take legal action if needed. They work on a no win, no fee basis: you pay nothing unless they get your money, and then they keep a share.
| AirHelp | Compensair | |
|---|---|---|
| Fee if successful | 35% (incl. VAT) | 25% (incl. VAT) |
| Extra fee if it goes to court | 15% (incl. VAT) | None stated |
| If the claim fails | You pay nothing | You pay nothing |
| Membership option | AirHelp+: annual fee, keep 100% of compensation | No |
| Coverage | EU, UK and other passenger rights laws | Over 100 airlines in 40+ countries |
Fees as published by each service at the time of writing. Check the current terms before you submit a claim.
Choose AirHelp if
you want the best-known service with a long track record, or you fly often enough that an AirHelp+ membership (you keep the full payout) makes sense.
Start a Free Claim with AirHelp
Choose Compensair if
you want a lower fee on a one-off claim. At 25% versus 35%, Compensair leaves you about €60 more on a €600 payout.
Check Your Flight with Compensair
5 Tips That Make Your Claim Stronger
- Take a photo of the departures board showing the delay or cancellation.
- Ask the gate agent for the reason in writing, or screenshot the airline app.
- Keep every receipt for food, transport and hotels you had to pay for yourself.
- Be careful with vouchers. Accepting a new flight does not cancel your right to compensation, but a voucher offered instead of cash compensation can. Read anything you sign.
- Claim for everyone on the booking. Compensation is per passenger, including children with their own seat.
Traveling soon? Stay connected when plans change: see our guide to the best eSIMs for international travel.
FAQ
How late does my flight have to be?
At least 3 hours late arriving at your final destination, measured when the aircraft door opens. A 2 hour 59 minute delay does not qualify.
Does it matter what I paid for my ticket?
No. Compensation is a fixed amount based on flight distance, so a cheap fare can earn more in compensation than it cost.
Can I claim for a flight from last year?
Usually yes. Under current rules, the deadline depends on the country where you claim and is often several years. Once the EU reform applies (expected mid-2027), new EU claims will have a 9-month deadline.
My connecting flight was delayed. Does that count?
Yes, if both flights were on one booking. What matters is how late you reached your final destination.
Do US airlines pay compensation for delays?
Not under US law. But EU or UK rules can apply to flights departing from Europe or the UK, even on a US airline.
Affiliate Disclosure: The Finer Route earns a commission from some of the services linked in this article, including AirHelp and Compensair, at no extra cost to you. This is general information, not legal advice; your rights depend on the details of your flight.
