Dealing with a flight delay can be incredibly frustrating, but if you’re traveling within the EU, you have powerful rights under European law. Despite ongoing proposed changes to EU Regulation 261/2004, passengers in 2025 are still protected by comprehensive compensation rules that many travellers don’t even know exist.
If your flight is delayed by 3 hours or more, you could be entitled to up to €600 in compensation – regardless of how much you paid for your ticket. This isn’t just goodwill from airlines; it’s your legal right under EU law. Here’s everything you need to know about claiming what you’re owed.
Airlines across Europe owe passengers billions in unpaid compensation.
In 2025 alone, estimates suggest over €2.2 billion in potential compensation for delayed and cancelled flights. Much of this goes unclaimed simply because passengers don’t know their rights or find the process too complicated.
Understanding EU Regulation 261/2004: Your Foundation for Flight Rights
EU Regulation 261/2004, which has been in force since 2005, is the cornerstone of passenger protection across Europe. This regulation applies to all flights departing from EU airports (regardless of airline) and flights arriving in the EU operated by EU-based airlines.
The regulation covers three main disruption scenarios:
- Flight delays of 3+ hours at your final destination
- Flight cancellations with less than 14 days’ notice
- Denied boarding due to overbooking
Current Compensation Amounts (2025)
Your compensation depends on both flight distance and delay duration:
| Flight Distance | Delay Duration | Compensation Amount |
| Up to 1,500 km | 3+ hours | €250 |
| 1,500-3,500 km (within EU) | 3+ hours | €400 |
| 1,500-3,500 km (non-EU) | 3+ hours | €400 |
| Over 3,500 km | 3+ hours | €600 |
Important note: Compensation is calculated based on your arrival time at your final destination, not departure time. Airlines sometimes make up time during flight, so even if you depart late, you might not qualify if you arrive less than 3 hours behind schedule.
What Airlines Hope You Don’t Know: Common Tactics to Avoid Payment
Airlines have become increasingly sophisticated in avoiding compensation payouts. Here are their most common tactics:
1. The “Extraordinary Circumstances” Excuse
This is probably the most overused defence. Airlines often claim delays were caused by “extraordinary circumstances” – events supposedly outside their control. However, many situations airlines claim are extraordinary actually aren’t:
What IS extraordinary (no compensation owed):
- Severe weather conditions (storms, heavy snow, thick fog)
- Natural disasters (volcanic ash, earthquakes)
- Air traffic control strikes
- Security threats or political unrest
- Bird strikes
- Medical emergencies requiring diversion
What is NOT extraordinary (compensation still owed):
- Technical problems with the aircraft
- Crew shortages or sickness
- Airline staff strikes
- “Operational reasons”
- Minor technical delays
- Fuel shortages (except in war zones)
2. The “Technical Problem” Shell Game
Airlines love to blame technical issues, but here’s what they won’t tell you: routine technical problems are the airline’s responsibility. Only hidden manufacturing defects or sudden, unforeseeable technical failures might qualify as extraordinary circumstances.
3. The Endless Paperwork Trap
Some airlines make the claims process deliberately complex, hoping you’ll give up. They might:
- Request excessive documentation
- Claim they never received your application
- Take months to respond
- Offer vouchers instead of cash (which you can refuse)
Your Step-by-Step Guide to Claiming EU261 Compensation
Step 1: Verify Your Eligibility
Before filing a claim, confirm:
- Your flight departed from an EU airport OR arrived in the EU with an EU airline
- You arrived 3+ hours late at your final destination
- You checked in on time and had a confirmed booking
- The delay occurred within the last 2-6 years (varies by country)
Step 2: Gather Your Evidence
Collect the following documents:
- Boarding passes for all affected passengers
- Flight confirmation emails and booking references
- Written delay confirmation from the airline (request this at the airport)
- Receipts for expenses (food, accommodation, transport)
- Photos of departure boards showing delays
Pro tip: Use your smartphone to screenshot flight tracking apps and airline notifications as backup evidence.
Step 3: Submit Your Claim
Contact the airline directly first:
- Go to euflightclaims.com for free links to airline websites
- Complete their official claim form
- Reference EU Regulation 261/2004 explicitly
- Specify the exact compensation amount you’re claiming
- Attach all supporting documents
Airlines love to request a wide variety of documents to support your claim. Make sure you have all your flight details ready before making your claim.
Step 4: Don’t Accept “No” for an Answer
If the airline denies your claim:
- Challenge their reasoning – ask for specific evidence of extraordinary circumstances
- Contact your national enforcement body (like CAA in UK, Luftfahrt-Bundesamt in Germany)
- Consider professional help – specialized companies can handle complex cases
Beyond Compensation: Your Other EU261 Rights
EU261 provides more than just compensation:
Immediate Care Rights
Regardless of the delay cause, airlines must provide:
- Food and refreshments (after 2 hours for short flights, 3 hours for medium, 4 hours for long)
- Hotel accommodation if delay extends overnight
- Transport between airport and accommodation
- Two free phone calls, emails, or faxes
Right to Reroute or Refund
For delays over 5 hours, you can choose:
- Full ticket refund (if you no longer wish to travel)
- Alternative flight at the earliest opportunity
- Alternative flight at a later date of your convenience
Don’t Let Airlines Keep Your Money: Take Action
The Bottom Line: Know Your Worth
Flight delays are more than just inconveniences – they’re disruptions to your plans that European law recognizes deserve compensation. Airlines have teams of lawyers working to minimize payouts, but passengers have rights that are just as strong when properly exercised.
Whether your flight was delayed last week or last year, whether you paid €50 or €500 for your ticket, EU261 treats all passengers equally. You’ve earned this protection through EU law, and you deserve every euro you’re legally entitled to claim.
Don’t let airlines profit from delays at your expense. Know your rights, document everything, and claim what’s rightfully yours.
Ready to claim your EU flight delay compensation? Go to euflightclaims.com to get your free links to airline compensation pages.
EU Flight Claims 