Flight Delayed or Cancelled in Europe or the UK? How to Claim Up to €600 Compensation (2026 Guide)
Your flight is three hours late, or cancelled the night before. In Europe and the UK, that can mean a cash payment of up to €600 (or £520) per passenger, on top of a refund or a new flight. Many travellers never claim because they do not know the rules or assume the airline will tell them. This guide explains the EU and UK passenger rights rules in plain language, when they apply, how much you can get and how to claim.
Quick answer: Under EU Regulation 261/2004 (EU261) and its UK version (UK261), you can usually claim €250–€600 (£220–£520) if you arrive at your final destination three or more hours late, your flight is cancelled less than 14 days before departure, or you are denied boarding because of overbooking. The airline does not have to pay if the disruption was caused by “extraordinary circumstances” such as severe weather or air traffic control strikes.
1. Which flights are covered?
| Your flight | EU261 applies? | UK261 applies? |
|---|---|---|
| Departing from an EU airport, any airline | Yes | No |
| Arriving in the EU on an EU airline | Yes | No |
| Arriving in the EU on a non-EU airline | No | No |
| Departing from a UK airport, any airline | No | Yes |
| Arriving in the UK on a UK or EU airline | Depends on airline | Yes, for UK airlines |
The rules also generally cover Iceland, Norway and Switzerland. Nationality does not matter: an Indian, American or Australian passenger on a covered flight has the same rights as a European.
2. How much compensation can you get?
| Flight distance | EU261 | UK261 |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 1,500 km | €250 | £220 |
| 1,500–3,500 km, or any intra-EU flight over 1,500 km | €400 | £350 |
| Over 3,500 km | €600 | £520 |
The amount is per passenger, including children with their own seat. It does not depend on what you paid for the ticket. On long-haul flights, the airline can reduce the payment by 50% if it rebooks you and you arrive between three and four hours late.
3. When you can claim
Delays
What counts is your arrival time at your final destination, measured roughly when the aircraft doors open. If you arrive three hours or more after your scheduled arrival, you can usually claim. On a connecting journey booked as one ticket, a short delay on the first leg that makes you miss your connection counts if you reach your final destination three or more hours late.
Cancellations
- 14 days’ notice or more: no compensation, but you are still entitled to a refund or rerouting.
- 7–14 days’ notice: compensation may be due unless the replacement flight closely matches your original times.
- Less than 7 days’ notice: compensation is usually due unless the new flight leaves and arrives within tight time limits of the original.
Denied boarding
If the airline overbooks and refuses to let you board against your will, you are entitled to compensation immediately, plus a refund or alternative flight.
4. When airlines do not have to pay
Airlines can refuse compensation if the problem was caused by extraordinary circumstances that could not have been avoided even with all reasonable measures. Common examples:
- Severe weather
- Air traffic control restrictions or strikes
- Airport closures and security alerts
- Bird strikes and political instability
Ordinary technical faults and the airline’s own staff strikes are usually not extraordinary, according to European court rulings. If an airline blames “operational reasons”, ask exactly what happened and in writing.
5. Your rights at the airport (care and assistance)
Even when no compensation is due, the airline must look after you during long waits:
- Meals and refreshments in reasonable relation to the waiting time
- Two phone calls, emails or messages
- Hotel accommodation and transport if you need to stay overnight
If the airline gives you nothing, keep receipts for reasonable costs and claim them back.
6. Refund or rerouting
When a flight is cancelled, or delayed by five hours or more and you choose not to travel, you can choose between a full refund (within seven days) and rerouting to your destination at the earliest opportunity. Do not accept a voucher if you want cash; vouchers are optional.
7. How to claim, step by step
- Collect evidence: boarding pass, booking confirmation, photos of departure boards and any messages from the airline.
- Note your actual arrival time.
- Claim directly with the airline using its online compensation or “EU261” form. It is free.
- Wait for a reply, usually several weeks.
- If refused or ignored, escalate to the national enforcement body in the country where the flight departed, an approved alternative dispute resolution scheme, or the UK Civil Aviation Authority for UK flights.
Claims companies will do this for you but typically keep 25–35% plus fees. Most straightforward claims can be made yourself.
Time limits
You usually have years, not days, to claim, but the limit depends on the country: around six years in England and Wales, and shorter in some EU countries. Claim as soon as possible while evidence is fresh.
8. Changes coming to EU261
In July 2026 the European Parliament and Council approved a reform of EU261. According to published summaries, the three-hour threshold and the €250–€600 amounts stay the same, while airlines will face new duties on rerouting, communication and protection for families and passengers with reduced mobility. The new rules are expected to apply from the second half of 2027 (SkyRefund summary). Until then, the current rules apply.
9. Flying in the US instead?
The US has no fixed cash compensation for delays, but it does have strong refund rules for cancellations and major schedule changes. See our guide to US flight refund rules.
Before your next trip, it is also worth checking whether your travel insurance covers delays, missed connections and extra hotel costs.
Frequently asked questions
Do I get compensation if my flight is delayed by two hours?
Not cash compensation, but you may be entitled to meals and refreshments depending on the flight distance.
Does EU261 apply to an Air India or Emirates flight from London or Paris?
Yes. Any flight departing from an EU airport is covered by EU261, and any flight departing from the UK is covered by UK261, whatever the airline.
Is compensation paid per booking or per person?
Per person, including children who had their own seat.
Can I get both a refund and compensation?
Yes, for qualifying cancellations. The refund covers your ticket; compensation is a separate payment for the disruption.
Do I need a claims company?
No. You can claim directly and for free. Claims companies can help with difficult cases but take a significant share.