Flight delay compensation

Flight delays do happen. Sometimes they happen because of technical problems, other times weather gets really bad and it’s just not safe to fly anymore. What’s important, though, is that whenever that happens and it’s the airline’s fault, you may be entitled to flight delay compensation of up to €600 per passenger.

Here is all you need to know about flight delay compensations

Am I entitled to compensation for a delayed flight?

First, let’s answer the question - can I claim compensation for a delayed flight?

The rules are as following:

• If you are flying to or from Europe* and your flight is delayed for more than 3 hours, then chances are you are entitled to compensation of up to €600 per passenger.

What else:

• If you are flying from a country outside the European Union your flight must be with a European airline.
• You don’t have to be a citizen of the European Union to be entitled to European flight delay compensation.

It does include all situations when flight disruption is the airline’s fault.

Situations such as extreme weather conditions and airport staff strikes are exempt from compensation.

How do I know how long was my flight delayed?

When did you arrive to your destination?

What matters here isn’t the time of departure, but the time of arrival to your destination. And more exactly when do the doors of the airplane are being opened. If they are opened 3 or more hours after the original arrival time, then you may be entitled to flight compensation.

If you are still unsure whether you are eligible for compensation or not, fill in our claim form, upload your boarding pass or ticket, and we'll take it from there.

Don’t worry, if we find out that you aren’t eligible for compensation, it will cost you nothing.

To learn more about the topic, you can read EU flight compensation regulation 261/2004 (EC 261). But be prepared that it’s gonna be a long read. And not an easy one.

* In this case, Europe means all EU Member States, Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion, Mayotte, Saint Martin (French Antilles), the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.

EU flight delay compensation: Basics

The exact amount of flight delay compensation varies.

It's based on the distance of your flight and occasionally some other factors. However, it’s not affected by the price of the flight or airline you are flying with. Which means that your Ryanair flight delay compensation is going to be the same as someone’s British Airways flight delay compensation.

That’s assuming that you’re flying on the same route, your flights are being delayed for the same as long and because of the same reason. All thanks to Europe's Flight Compensation Regulation 261/2004 (EC 261).

How much compensation am I entitled to for a delayed flight?

So how much exactly is your claim worth?

Mostly the answer will be one of these: €250, €400 or €600.

Here is how you can calculate it.

When your destination is within the European Union:

• €250 - if the distance of your flight is up to 1500 kilometres (usually 1-2 hour long flights);
• €400 - if the distance of your flight is more than 1500 kilometres.

When your destination is outside the European Union:

• €250 - if the distance of your flight is up to 1500 kilometres;
• €400 - if the distance of your flight is between 1500 - 3500 kilometres;
• €600 - if the distance of your flight is more than 3500 kilometres.

Exception. In case when the distance of your flight is 3500 kilometres or more and you reach your destination with a delay between 3 - 4 hours, you are entitled to compensation of €300.

How to claim compensation for a delayed flight?

One of the options is to contact the airline directly.

In a perfect world you would send an email to your airline and receive compensation soon afterwards. Unfourtunately mostly it's way more difficult. And you never know how long is it going to take. It may anything between a few weeks to six months or more.

Another option - to seek legal representation.

To put it simply, ask someone more experienced (e.g. Refundor) to do it on your behalf.

Sounds difficult and expensive? It isn't.

When working with us, here is all you will have to do:

1. Go to this page;
2. Fill in the details about yourself and your flight delay;
3. Upload your boarding pass;
4. Sign the claim online.

And that’s it. We’ll take it from there.

When we are done we’ll ask you to provide your bank account details, so we can send you your funds by bank transfer. As easy as that.

Why work with Refundor

Because it makes things just so much easier. Here is how:

1. It will save your time. In most of the situations all you have to do is to submit your information once and… wait for the money. That’s it.
2. It will save your money. Would you sooner or later decide to search for legal advice or help to make a claim against the airline, you’ll have to cover all the related expanses yourself. How much that’s gonna cost you? It depends on a variety of things. But with us you pay only €25 + 25% of the amount of the compensation. No administration fees or tax expenses. No upfront fees.
3. Zero risk. It will cost you nothing, if we're unable to collect your compensation for some rea-son. No win, no fees.

Let’s work together! Click here, enter all the information asked, all of what you can find on your boarding pass and flight ticket. And we’ll get the ball rolling. When we finish the job, you’ll just have to tell us your bank account details and we’ll make the money transfer. Deal?

Claiming compensation for a delayed flight: Frequently asked questions

How long does it take?

It may take a while, in some cases even around 3 months.

But you can rest assured, because we do finish every case we start, and whenever there will be any news regarding your claim we will let you know.

Why does it take so long?

A short answer would be - because no one has told airlines how quickly they should respond to such a claim. So, yes, it may take a while. Depending on what time of year it is, which airline you're claiming compensation from and, of course, the number of other people doing the same at the same time.

Speaking of the factors we can control, to achieve the best and fastest results at Refundor we use computer system that allows us to automate one big part of the process. Meaning that your claim can be sent to the airline much faster than if the whole process would be done by a human.

How much does it cost?

We pursue your compensation for a €25 + 25% fee.

No hidden administration fees or tax expenses. No upfront fees.

For example, if we will win a 400 EUR compensation for you, we will transfer you 275 EUR and keep 125 EUR for our services.

At the same time it will cost you nothing, if we're unable to collect your compensation for some reason. No win, no fees. Sounds fair?

What if you can’t get my compensation?

It’s a possibility.

As already mentioned, it will cost you nothing. No matter the reason.

How far back can I claim flight compensation?

There is no one answer to the question how far back can you claim for flight delays. It varies from country to country. Mostly it’s at least 2-3 years.

Step by step: What to do if your flight is delayed?

So you have arrived at the airport. You’re looking at the flight information display and it says that your flight has been delayed. What should you do next?

1. Don’t stress over it. Flight delays happen every day.
2. Do you have a next flight that you can’t miss? If it’s a connecting flight (note that two or more separately booked flights doesn’t mean “connecting flight” here) and because of this flight delay you are going to miss the next flight, don’t worry, because the airline will take care of that and most probably will put you on another flight for free. If, however, you have a very strict schedule, look for an alternative flight or flights to your destination. And if you decide so book a new flight.
3. Check-in for your flight. If the check-in has already started and you aren’t going to book another flight, proceed as usual. Head over to the check-in counter if you have to or go straight to your gate.
4. Follow the information regarding your flight. Check the flight information display every 20 - 30 minutes or so, there’s no need to do it more frequently, and be ready that there might be an announcement.
5. After 3 hours. If your flight has been delayed for more than 3 hours the airline must provide you with free meal and drink plus two free phone calls, two e-mails or faxes.
6. An overnight delay. In case of an overnight delay the airline must provide you with free hotel accomodation and transport to and from it.
7. You may be offered to take another flight at some point.
8. Know your rights. If you have arrived to your final destination 3 or more hours after the origi-nal arrival time you may be eligible to compensation of up to €600 per person.

How to get a free meal and drink? What about free hotel if it’s going to be an overnight delay? Wait for the announcement from your airline or head over to their information booth at the airport and they will help you. They should help you.

Be ready, that your flight may also get cancelled.

Read more: What to do if your flight is delayed?

Submit your claim for flight delay compensation now.

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Here you can learn more about flight cancellations & what to do if your flight ever gets cancelled.

In short - in event of this as well you can get both a new flight (if necessary), which can be another flight operated by your airline or you may be offered to fly with another airline at no extra cost to you, and you can also claim for compensation. That’s if in the end you reach your final destination 2 or in some cases 4 or more hours later than initially planned.

Has something like this happened to you recently or during the last years?

Submit your claim for airline compensation now.