Your flight delay compensation rights: how to claim
Check how much the airline owes you. It's free and takes 2 minutes.
We help you enforce your passenger rights
Air travel isn’t always smooth. When a delay pushes your arrival 3+ hours past schedule you can often claim up to €600 under EC 261. Even on US routes you’re still entitled to refunds, hotel nights, meals, and transport after significant disruption.
Pop your flight into our checker and we’ll tell you what the airline owes you in about two minutes. We work across EU and global routes and take the negotiation stress off your shoulders.
Up to €600 in minutes
Most EU flights qualify when you land 3+ hours late. Our eligibility checker does the hard work instantly.
US routes still protected
Cash isn’t mandated, but refunds, meals, hotels, and transport kick in after major delays or cancellations.
Global reach
Flights across EU, UK, Brazil, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Montreal Convention routes are all covered.
Delay tracker
Scan. Send. Settle.
Upload a photo of your boarding pass and we’ll do the legal heavy lifting while you keep moving.
Eligibility checklist
Delayed flight claim — When are you eligible?
- You arrived at your destination more than 3 hours late.
- Your flight departed the EU (or arrived on an EU airline).
- You checked in on time with a confirmed reservation.
- It happened within the last 3 years (6 in the UK).
- The delay was not caused by extraordinary circumstances.
How much compensation should you get?
EC 261 ties payouts to flight distance and how late you finally arrived:
| Distance | < 3 hours | 3 – 4 hours | > 4 hours | Never arrived |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,500 km or less | — | €250 | €250 | €250 |
| Internal EU flights over 1,500 km | — | €400 | €400 | €400 |
| Non-internal EU flights 1,500–3,500 km | — | €400 | €400 | €400 |
| Non-internal EU flights > 3,500 km | — | €300 | €600 | €600 |
Gate arrival time = when the aircraft door opens. Staff strikes are compensable; extreme weather isn’t. Cash must be paid in money (not forced vouchers), and the passenger keeps the payout even on company trips.
Missed a connection because of the delay? If you land 3+ hours late at your final destination, you can still claim €600 for the whole itinerary.
Step-by-step
How to get flight delay compensation
What to do when delayed
- Capture proof: boarding pass, delay notifications, photos of departure boards.
- Ask staff for the official reason and insist on written confirmation.
- Keep receipts for meals, transport, and hotels you had to arrange.
- If the delay exceeds 5 hours you can refuse the trip and demand a refund.
Claim with Indemsy
- Run your flight through our checker to confirm eligibility.
- Upload any documents—we guide you on what each airline needs.
- We negotiate directly with the airline and go legal if needed (no win, no fee).
Documents to keep
Boarding pass, booking confirmation, expense receipts, proof of delay. Upload whatever you have—our team fills the gaps.
Flight delays: What else does the law cover?
Communication
Free calls, emails, or messaging while you wait.
Meals & drinks
After 2h (<1,500 km), 3h (1,500–3,500 km), or 4h (>3,500 km).
Accommodation
Hotel + transport if you’re stranded overnight.
Refund or re-routing
Pick a full refund or a new itinerary when delays exceed 5 hours.
Upgrade & downgrade rules
No extra charge for upgrades; 30–75% refund if downgraded.
Right to information
Airlines must display EC 261 notices at check-in desks.
More flight delay regulations
| Itinerary | EU airline | Non-EU airline |
|---|---|---|
| Inside EU → Inside EU | ✔ Covered | ✔ Covered |
| Inside EU → Outside EU | ✔ Covered | ✔ Covered |
| Outside EU → Inside EU | ✔ Covered | ✖ Not covered |
| Outside EU → Outside EU | ✖ Not covered | ✖ Not covered |
Extraordinary circumstances
Severe weather, medical emergencies, ATC restrictions, political unrest, or security risks pause compensation obligations.
Staff strikes count
Court rulings say airline staff strikes are not extraordinary. You can still receive up to €600.
Montreal Convention
140+ countries (including the US) cover provable disruption costs on international routes.
United States: there’s no blanket cash rule, but airlines must provide information, water, and refunds when schedules change significantly and you decline the rebooking.
Montreal Convention: over 140 countries cover tangible disruption costs (hotel, transport, essentials) on international tickets—perfect for global itineraries.
Still curious?