Regulation guide
EU Regulation 261/2004
Your rights when flights are delayed, cancelled, or overbooked — and how to claim up to €600 in compensation.
What is EU261?
EU Regulation 261/2004 is a European Union law that grants air passengers the right to compensation and assistance when their flight is significantly delayed, cancelled at short notice, or when they are denied boarding due to overbooking.
It applies to flights departing from any EU airport, as well as flights arriving at an EU airport if operated by an EU-based carrier.
Which flights are covered?
- ✓Any flight departing from an airport in the EU (regardless of airline)
- ✓Flights arriving in the EU operated by an EU-based carrier
- ✓Includes Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland (EEA)
- ✓Applies to both economy and business class passengers
- ✓Applies to flights booked directly or through a travel agent
Qualifying disruptions
Delay (Art. 7)
You are entitled to compensation if your flight arrives at the final destination 3 or more hours late. The delay is measured at the time the aircraft door opens at the destination — not departure time.
Cancellation (Art. 5)
You are entitled to compensation if your flight is cancelled with less than 14 days’ notice before the scheduled departure. If the airline offers a rerouting that departs within 1 hour and arrives within 2 hours of the original time, compensation may be reduced by 50%.
Denied boarding (Art. 4)
If you are bumped from a flight due to overbooking (and have not voluntarily given up your seat), you are entitled to compensation at the same rates as a cancellation.
Compensation amounts
The amount depends on the flight distance (great-circle distance between departure and final destination airports):
| Flight distance | Example routes | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Under 1,500 km | London–Amsterdam, Paris–Madrid | €250 |
| 1,500–3,500 km | London–Cairo, Berlin–Reykjavik | €400 |
| Over 3,500 km | London–New York, Frankfurt–Seoul | €600 |
Right to care (Art. 9)
Regardless of compensation eligibility, if your flight is delayed by 2+ hours, the airline must provide:
- ✓Meals and refreshments proportional to the waiting time
- ✓Two free phone calls, emails, or faxes
- ✓Hotel accommodation if an overnight stay is required
- ✓Transport between the airport and hotel
If the airline fails to provide these, keep your receipts — you can claim reasonable costs back separately.
Extraordinary circumstances
Airlines are exempt from paying compensation if the disruption was caused by “extraordinary circumstances” that could not have been avoided even with all reasonable measures. Common examples include:
- ✕Severe weather (genuine air traffic control closure, not light rain)
- ✕Political instability or security threats
- ✕Air traffic control strikes (not airline staff strikes)
- ✕Bird strikes or hidden manufacturing defects
Technical problems with the aircraft are not extraordinary circumstances unless caused by a hidden defect discovered during the flight.
Claim time limits
Time limits vary by country. As a general guide:
- ✓Most EU countries: 2–6 years from the date of the flight
- ✓France: 5 years
- ✓Germany: 3 years
- ✓Ireland / UK: 6 years
File as soon as possible — airlines are harder to negotiate with as time passes and records may no longer be available.
How to claim
Step 1: Write to the airline directly (by email or their online form) citing EU Regulation 261/2004 and stating the compensation amount you are entitled to.
Step 2: If the airline does not respond within 14 days or rejects your claim, escalate to the National Enforcement Body (NEB) or Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) body in the country where the disruption occurred.
Step 3: If ADR fails, small claims court is an option in most EU countries with low filing fees.
Check if your flight qualifies
Enter your flight number for an instant EU261 eligibility check.
UK-based flight? Read our UK261 guide