Flight delayed or cancelled? Your compensation under EU law (2026)
When you are entitled, how much you can get, your rights at the airport and how services like AirHelp or Flightright help — your guide to air passenger compensation.
When you are entitled at all
The EU air passenger rights regulation protects you in case of long delay, cancellation and denied boarding (e.g. due to overbooking). It applies to all flights departing in the EU and to flights into the EU on an EU airline.
A compensation claim typically arises with an arrival delay of at least three hours at the final destination — or if your flight was cancelled at short notice.
The key is that the airline is responsible for the cause. With “extraordinary circumstances” such as severe weather or third-party strikes, compensation does not apply — but care services remain.
How much you can get
Compensation is fixed by law and depends on the flight distance, not the ticket price. There are set tiers — from a lower amount for short-haul to a higher one for long-haul.
This claim is independent of whether you had a cheap or expensive ticket. Even with a budget flight you can receive the full flat compensation.
Compensation comes on top of a refund or re-routing — it is a payment for lost time and disruption, not a refund of the ticket price.
Your rights at the airport
Even during the wait you have care rights: for longer delays the airline must provide meals and drinks, accommodation if needed and transfers.
If your flight is cancelled, you can choose between re-routing at the earliest opportunity and a full refund of the ticket price.
Try to get the delay or cancellation confirmed and keep receipts for extra expenses — they support your claims later.
Securing evidence — the most important step
Your claim stands or falls with documentation. Keep boarding passes, the booking confirmation and all airline notifications.
Photograph the display board with the delay or cancellation info and note the actual arrival time at the final destination — that time decides the three-hour threshold.
Keep receipts for food, hotel or transport. Even though the compensation is flat, extra costs may be separately reimbursable.
Claim yourself or use a service?
You can claim directly with the airline — free, but often a tough exchange of letters and rejections. Do not be discouraged by an initial refusal.
Alternatively, specialised services like AirHelp or Flightright take on the case for you. They bear the litigation risk and keep a commission from the compensation if successful; if unsuccessful you usually pay nothing.
This is worth it especially if the airline stonewalls or you want to avoid the effort. You then get somewhat less, but without your own risk and paperwork.
Practical tips
- Note the actual arrival time at the final destination — it decides the three-hour threshold.
- Keep your boarding pass, booking and all airline messages.
- Photograph the display board with the delay/cancellation info.
- Claim meals and, if needed, a hotel at the airport.
- Do not be discouraged by an initial airline rejection.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming a cheap ticket has no compensation claim.
- Throwing away boarding passes and receipts.
- Not recording the actual arrival time at the final destination.
- Giving up after the airline’s first rejection.
- Forgetting the care rights during “extraordinary circumstances”.
Checklist before you compare
- Checked whether the flight falls under EU air passenger rights.
- Arrival delay at the final destination (from 3 hours) established.
- Boarding pass, booking and airline messages secured.
- Display board and receipts for extra costs photographed.
- Claim asserted with the airline in writing.
- Decided: claim yourself or use a service like AirHelp/Flightright.
Frequently asked questions
When am I entitled to compensation?
Typically from a three-hour arrival delay at the final destination or with short-notice cancellation — provided the airline is responsible for the cause.
How much is the compensation?
It is fixed by law and depends on the flight distance, not the ticket price — with set tiers from short- to long-haul.
Do I get money even on a budget flight?
Yes. The claim is independent of the ticket price. Even with a cheap ticket you are entitled to the full flat amount.
What does “extraordinary circumstances” mean?
Events beyond the airline’s control such as severe weather or third-party strikes. Compensation then does not apply, but care rights remain.
Should I use AirHelp or Flightright?
They take on effort and risk and keep a commission if successful. It is worth it if the airline refuses or you want to avoid the paperwork.
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