Airline Compensation: How to Claim What You're Owed
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Has your flight been delayed, cancelled, or were you bumped? In these cases, you may be entitled to compensation from the airline. Flights from (and in many cases to) Europe are protected by EU regulation EC 261/2004.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through discovering your passenger rights and the situations where the airline must compensate you — and how to claim.
Key points about airline compensation
- Under EC 261, you may be entitled to up to €600 for delays, cancellations, and overbooking.
- If you miss a connecting flight due to a delay/cancellation and arrive 3+ hours late, you may be entitled to compensation under EC 261.
- For baggage issues, compensation may be available under the Montreal Convention.
- In the event of a disruption or baggage issue, you typically must file a claim with the airline. Indemsy can help you receive what you’re entitled to.
Your passenger rights under EC 261
EC 261 provides that, under certain circumstances, airlines must compensate passengers in case of delayed, cancelled, or overbooked flights.
EC 261 applies to all passengers on flights covered by the regulation, regardless of nationality.
| Itinerary | EU Air Carrier | Non-EU Air Carrier |
|---|---|---|
| From inside the EU to inside the EU | ✔️ Covered | ✔️ Covered |
| From inside the EU to outside the EU | ✔️ Covered | ✔️ Covered |
| From outside the EU to inside the EU | ✔️ Covered | ❌ Not Covered |
| From outside the EU to outside the EU | ❌ Not Covered | ❌ Not Covered |
Compensation calculator
Typical EC 261 compensation amounts by distance:
Airline delay compensation
You can claim under EC 261 if:
- You arrived at your destination more than 3 hours late
- The delay was within the airline's control (not extraordinary circumstances)
- Your flight took off in the EU (some flights arriving in the EU may also qualify)
- You checked in on time
If these conditions apply, you could be entitled to up to €600. The amount depends on distance and delay length:
| Flight distance | Delay | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| All flights under 1,500 km | 3+ hours | Up to €250 per person |
| Internal EU flights over 1,500 km | 3+ hours | Up to €400 per person |
| Non-internal EU flights 1,500 - 3,500 km | 3+ hours | Up to €400 per person |
| Non-internal EU flights over 3,500 km | 4+ hours | Up to €600 per person |
Airline compensation for cancelled flights
Under EC 261, you could be entitled if:
- You were notified less than 14 days before departure
- The flight departs from an EU airport or is operated by an EU-based airline arriving at an EU destination
- Your replacement flight arrives over 3 hours later than your original booking
- The cancellation was within the airline's control (e.g. operational circumstances, technical difficulties, staff strikes)
- It was not caused by extraordinary circumstances (extreme weather, security issues, external strikes)
Get compensation for delays and cancellations — No win, no fee.
Overbooking compensation
If your flight is covered by EC 261 and you are denied boarding due to overbooking, you may be owed up to €600 if:
- You did not volunteer to surrender your seat for vouchers/benefits
- You were not denied boarding for a reason under your control (late at gate, missing documents, etc.)
Airline compensation for missed connections
If one leg is delayed/canceled and you arrive at your final destination at least 3 hours late, you may be entitled to compensation. Your right depends on the total delay of your journey, not individual legs.
Airline strike compensation
Under EC 261, you could be eligible if:
- Your flight was disrupted by an airline staff strike
- Delayed 3+ hours or canceled less than 14 days before departure
- Departed from an EU airport, or landed at an EU airport on a European airline
- You had a confirmed flight reservation
- If re-routed, your new arrival time was significantly different
Airline staff strikes are generally within the airline’s control, while airport/third-party strikes are usually extraordinary circumstances.
Airline compensation for lost or delayed baggage
If your luggage is delayed, lost, or damaged, you could be owed compensation. For international flights, the Montreal Convention typically applies.
You could get up to around €1,900 (1,519 SDR). Airlines may pay more at their option.
The Warsaw Convention may apply in rare cases where international flights are not covered by the Montreal Convention.
AirHelp Score: the best airlines worldwide
We evaluate airlines based on:
- On-time performance
- Customer service
- Claim processing
Highest-rated airlines worldwide (AirHelp Score 2025):
| Airline | Country | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Brussels Airlines | Belgium | 8.12/10 |
| 2. Qatar Airways | Qatar | 8.11/10 |
| 3. United Airlines | United States | 8.04/10 |
How to claim airline compensation
You can claim by contacting the airline, consulting a lawyer, or relying on specialists. Here’s a simple checklist:
- Hold onto your boarding pass and travel documents.
- Gather proof (e.g. photos of departure boards or emails from the airline).
- Check eligibility.
- File your claim.
We’ll handle communication with the airline. No win, no fee.