Compensation for a delayed flight is straightforward with Delayed!

Flight delays happen frequently and are unavoidable, much to the frustration of thousands of air passengers who face them. If you find yourself in such a situation, know that, under air passenger rights, you can file a compensation claim for a delayed flight. Depending on your flight circumstances, you could receive a financial compensation of up to €600.

If you wish to claim compensation for your delayed flight without dealing with the administrative hassle, Delayed can assist you by handling the entire process. Here are some preliminary details regarding compensation for a delayed flight.

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Which delayed flights are covered by Regulation (EC) No 261/2004?

Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 covers all delayed flights departing from an airport located in one of the 28 EU countries, as well as from airports in Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, or the "outermost regions" (French Guiana, Martinique, Mayotte, Guadeloupe, Réunion Island, Saint Martin, Madeira, the Azores, and the Canary Islands). Additionally, EC 261 applies to passengers on flights departing from a non-EU country to an EU country if the airline operating the delayed flight is European.

Types of delayed flights eligible for compensation:

DistanceEU-based airlineNon-EU airline
Flight EU -> EU
Flight EU -> non-EU
Flight non-EU -> EU
Flight non-EU

Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 covers flights delayed by more than 3 hours, based on the actual arrival time when the aircraft doors open at the gate.

Regulation EC 261 covers delayed flights under certain specific conditions, such as technical issues or operational circumstances for which the airline is responsible. However, extraordinary circumstances are not considered sufficient grounds to hold the airline accountable for a delayed flight, as these are disruptions beyond the airline's control.

plane taking off on a delayed flight eligible for compensation

What compensation for a delayed flight? Find out your compensation amount with our solution.

If your flight was delayed by more than 3 hours and falls under the flights covered by Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, you are entitled to claim financial compensation for your delayed flight.

The amount granted for delayed flight compensation is calculated based on several factors: 

  • The duration of the flight delay
  • The distance between the departure and arrival locations of the flight

The calculation of your compensation amount also considers the airspace used during the flight, whether it was within or outside the European Union.

Based on these different criteria, you may be eligible for compensation ranging from €250 to €600. This compensation applies to each passenger affected by a delayed flight. If you are travelling with someone, your travel partner will also be entitled to compensation for their delayed flight if they make a claim.

Compensation per passenger for a delayed flight:

Distance- 3hBetween 3 and 4 h+ 4h
Less than 1500km250 €250 €
EU and more than 1500km400 €400 €
Non-EU between 1500 and 3500km400 €400 €
Non-EU more than 3500 km300 €600 €

 Compensation for a delayed flight: under what conditions?

The conditions for granting financial compensation to a passenger following a delayed flight are defined by Regulation (EC) No 261/2004. Compensation claims for a delayed flight are only valid if they meet the specific conditions established by Regulation (EC) No 261/2004.

You may be eligible for financial compensation if your flight never arrived, or if it arrived at the destination more than 3 hours later than the scheduled departure time.

You are also entitled to claim compensation for your delayed flight if the airline is held responsible for the delay. According to Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, an airline may be deemed responsible for a flight delay for the following reasons:

  • The flight in question either departed from an airport located in the EU, regardless of the airline, or landed in the EU, provided the airline operating the flight is based in the EU.
  • The flight you took was delayed by more than 3 hours compared to the scheduled arrival time.
  •  The airline was responsible for the delay (the flight was delayed due to technical issues or exceptional circumstances that the airline could have avoided.)
  •  You checked in for your flight on time, usually at least 45 minutes before departure.
  •  The claim you submit concerns a flight that took place within the last 3 years.

Good to know:

Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 on delayed flights also applies retroactively to any flights you may have taken in the past 3 years. Therefore, if you have kept evidence of a delayed flight that occurred less than 3 years ago, you are legally entitled to file a claim with the airline concerned to seek financial compensation for your delayed flight.

Plane ticket with passport for a eligible for compensation delayed flight

Delayed flight: what to do to get compensated?

To maximise your chances of being compensated for a delayed flight, make sure you can provide certain information about your flight and the delay you experienced, as these will serve as evidence to support your compensation claim.

Be sure to keep your boarding pass or any other travel document proving you were indeed a passenger on the delayed flight.

Also keep receipts for any additional expenses incurred due to your delayed flight.

Other elements that can support your compensation claim include the reason for the flight delay, direct evidence of the delay (such as information from the airline confirming the delay), or the exact arrival time at your destination.

  •  Keep your boarding pass and any other travel documents proving you were a passenger on the flight.
  •  Gather all evidence of the delay, such as photos of the airport departure board or messages from the airline confirming the disruption.
  •  Ask for the reason for the flight delay.
  •  It's important not to sign anything or accept any offer that could compromise your rights.
  •  Ask the airline to cover your meal and drink expenses.
  •  Keep receipts for all additional expenses resulting from the flight delay.
  •  If your flight delay exceeds 5 hours, you can either wait for your flight to depart or cancel your flight and request a refund.
  •  If your flight is postponed to the next day, it's advisable to ask the airline to provide you with a hotel room for the night.
  •  Note the arrival time at your final destination.

Delayed flight: what to do in case of a missed connection?

If the delay caused by your flight made you miss your connection, even by a small margin, it is the responsibility of the airline to find you, at their expense, an alternative flight to your destination. If you arrive at your destination more than 3 hours late, you are entitled, under European law, to claim compensation for your delayed flight, which could be up to €600.

In which situations can a delayed flight not be subject to a compensation claim?

Flights delayed due to an "extraordinary" circumstance are not covered by Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, as these are situations beyond the control of airlines, and therefore they cannot be held responsible.

List of exceptional circumstances for a delayed flight and their eligibility for compensation:

  •  Technical problem with the aircraft
  •  Strike by airline staff
  • Adverse weather conditions
  • External strike (airport staff, baggage handlers, air traffic controllers, etc.)
  •  Air traffic control restrictions
  •  Malfunction of airport equipment (radar, etc.)
  •  Medical emergency
  •  Political unrest
  •  Act of terrorism
plane delayed due to weather

Choose Delayed to claim your compensation

At Delayed, we understand how lengthy and stressful it can be to obtain compensation for a delayed flight, so we invite you to submit your claim through our services, so we can help you succeed against the airline concerned.

Why file your compensation claim with Delayed in case of a delayed flight?

With our services, you won't have to do anything in case of a delayed flight. Whether it's filling out the compensation form or verifying the supporting documents, we will handle all the necessary procedures so you can wait for your delayed flight compensation with peace of mind.

By choosing our services, you will receive an immediate response regarding the validity of your compensation claim, and you will be immediately informed of whether you can receive compensation for your delayed flight.

Because we prioritise simplicity and peace of mind, the entire compensation claim process is conducted directly on Delayed, from the application to submitting your attachments. You will only need a maximum of 5 minutes to file your compensation claim, and we will contact the airline responsible for your delayed flight. A dedicated advisor will also be available to listen to you and keep you informed in real-time about the progress of your claim.

To ensure zero financial risk in your compensation claim, we cover all legal fees for the claim. We will only charge our service fees if you succeed. We will then deduct a 25% commission from your compensation. If the compensation claim is unsuccessful, no fees will be applied.

  • Fully automated and simplified claim submission
  •  We provide an immediate and reliable response on the validity of your claim with our intelligent verification system
  •  We handle all the steps and procedures for you
  •  No fees to pay if you do not receive your compensation

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Straightforward answers to help you understand your rights and prepare your claim.

How is compensation calculated for a delayed flight?

Flat-rate compensation depends on the flight distance and the delay at your final destination, not on the ticket price.

  • €250 for flights of up to 1,500 km delayed by at least 3 hours;
  • €400 for flights over 1,500 km within the European Union and for all other flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km delayed by at least 3 hours;
  • €300 for other flights over 3,500 km delayed between 3 and 4 hours, rising to €600 from 4 hours.

These amounts are not automatic: EU rules must apply, and the airline may be exempt if it proves that extraordinary circumstances could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken. A ticket refund, re-routing and care while you wait are separate rights.

Read Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 on EUR-Lex.

How many hours must my flight be delayed before I can claim compensation?

There is no single time limit: it depends on the right you want to use.

  • Flat-rate compensation: generally a delay of at least three hours on arrival at your final destination, provided EU rules apply and the airline cannot prove exempting extraordinary circumstances.
  • Ticket refund: a departure delay of at least five hours, if you decide not to travel.
  • Care: meals and refreshments after a departure wait of two, three or four hours, depending on the flight distance; hotel accommodation and transport if the new departure is the following day.

EU rules notably cover flights departing from the European Union. They also cover flights arriving in the EU from a non-EU country when they are operated by an EU airline.

Check air passenger rights on the European Union’s official portal.

How can I prove that my flight was delayed?

Keep anything that connects your booking with both the scheduled and actual flight times.

  • your booking confirmation, e-ticket and boarding pass, if you have it;
  • texts, emails or app notifications sent by the airline;
  • a photo of the departure board or a delay certificate, when one is available;
  • receipts for meals, transport or accommodation you paid for while waiting.

It also helps to note the arrival time and, if possible, when at least one aircraft door was opened. You do not need every item on this list before contacting the airline, but the documents make your journey and any expenses much easier to check.

Can I choose not to travel and get a refund if the delay is too long?

Yes. Once the departure delay reaches five hours, you may give up the journey and ask for a ticket refund instead of waiting for the flight.

The refund covers the part of the journey you did not make. It may also cover a part already completed if continuing the trip no longer serves the purpose of your original travel plan. If you are stranded during a connection, the airline must also offer a return flight to your first point of departure at the earliest opportunity when needed.

This choice replaces re-routing to your final destination. Before accepting it, ask the airline to confirm in writing which option and flight segments are being refunded.

How do I claim compensation under Regulation EC 261/2004?

Start by sending a written claim to the airline that actually operated the flight, even if you bought the ticket through an agency. Include your booking reference, flight number and date, route, delay at the final destination and the passengers concerned. Attach the documents you have, such as the booking confirmation, boarding pass and messages from the airline.

Clearly request compensation under Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 and keep a dated copy of your claim. If it is refused, check the reason before following up or contacting the relevant enforcement or dispute-resolution body. At Delayed, we check the route, actual arrival time and cause of the delay before handling correspondence with the airline. Only send sensitive documents through a secure service.

Do I need insurance to receive compensation for a flight delay?

No. Compensation under EU rules is a right you exercise against the airline. It does not depend on travel insurance or on the bank card used to buy the ticket. You may submit the claim yourself or authorise a service to do it for you.

Insurance may separately cover costs or losses that fall outside the regulation, depending on your policy. Do not seek reimbursement twice for the same expense, and keep every receipt. Even when extraordinary circumstances rule out flat-rate compensation, your rights to care or a ticket refund may still apply.

What are my rights if my flight is rescheduled?

First compare the old and new times: a flight described as “rescheduled” may legally be a delay or a cancellation.

If the original flight is abandoned and you are moved to another flight, cancellation rules may apply. The same is true when departure is brought forward by more than one hour. You may then be able to choose between a refund and re-routing, receive care while you wait and, depending on the notice, the replacement schedule and the cause of the disruption, claim flat-rate compensation.

If the same flight simply leaves later, delay rules are more likely to apply. Keep the notification showing both schedules before confirming your choice.