EU261 Compensation Amounts at a Glance
| Flight Distance | Compensation | Example Routes |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 1,500 km | €250 | Warsaw–Berlin, London–Paris, Amsterdam–Rome |
| 1,500–3,500 km | €400 | London–Cairo, Warsaw–Tel Aviv, Frankfurt–Nairobi |
| Over 3,500 km | €600 | Warsaw–New York, London–Bangkok, Paris–Tokyo |
Source: EU Regulation 261/2004, Article 7. Distance is measured as the great-circle distance between the departure airport and the final destination.
When Do You Qualify for Compensation?
EU Regulation 261/2004 entitles you to compensation when all three of the following conditions are met:
Flight departs from an EU airport, OR is operated by an EU airline arriving in the EU
Any flight departing from any EU member state airport qualifies, regardless of the airline's nationality. Non-EU airlines (e.g., Emirates, United) only qualify when the flight departs from the EU.
You arrived at your final destination 3+ hours late
The delay is measured at the final destination arrival time, not at the departure airport. A 5-hour departure delay that results in only a 2-hour arrival delay does not qualify.
The delay was not caused by extraordinary circumstances
Airlines are not required to pay if they can prove the delay was caused by events they could not have avoided — such as severe weather, air traffic control strikes, or political instability. The burden of proof is on the airline.
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Free eligibility check. You only pay if your claim is successful — 30% commission (+ VAT for Polish residents; VAT 0% for other EU/non-EU passengers as export of services).
Check Your Claim FreeThe 50% Reduction Rule
EU261 contains one situation where the airline can reduce your compensation by 50%:
When does the 50% reduction apply?
When the airline offers you re-routing and you still arrive within:
- 2 hours of the original arrival time for flights ≤ 1,500 km
- 3 hours for intra-EU flights over 1,500 km
- 4 hours for all other flights over 3,500 km
In practice: if you were booked Warsaw–New York (€600 route) and the airline put you on a different flight that arrived only 3 hours late, it can pay €300 instead of €600.
What the €250/€400/€600 Does NOT Cover
The EU261 lump sum is separate from other rights. You are also entitled to:
Right of Care
For delays over 2 hours (short haul) or 3 hours (long haul): meals, refreshments, and 2 free phone calls or emails — at the airport, at the airline's expense.
Hotel & Transfer
If the delay forces an overnight stay, the airline must provide hotel accommodation and transport between the airport and hotel.
Full Refund
If the delay exceeds 5 hours and you decide not to travel, you are entitled to a full ticket refund plus a return flight to the point of departure if needed.
Consequential Losses
Additional expenses (missed hotel, car hire, connecting transport) may be claimed separately under the Montreal Convention — independent of EU261.
Extraordinary Circumstances: When Airlines Don't Have to Pay
Airlines frequently claim extraordinary circumstances to avoid paying. Not all excuses are valid. Here is a quick reference:
Tip: When an airline rejects your claim citing extraordinary circumstances, always ask for evidence. They must prove the circumstance was both unavoidable and that all reasonable measures were taken. Many rejections are overturned on appeal.
How to Claim Your €250–€600
Gather your documents
Keep your boarding pass, booking confirmation, and any evidence of the actual arrival time (airport screen photos, airline SMS updates).
Contact the airline directly
Submit a formal written claim citing EU Regulation 261/2004, Article 7. Mention the exact flight number, date, and how many hours late you arrived. Give the airline 8 weeks to respond.
Escalate to a National Enforcement Body
If the airline refuses or ignores you: in the UK use the CAA or an approved ADR scheme (CEDR, AviationADR); in Germany the LBA; in Poland the ULC; in France the DGAC; in Ireland the IAA.
Use a claim management company
Companies like ClaimWinger handle the entire process on a no-win, no-fee basis. Their fee is 30% of the recovered amount (+ 23% VAT for Polish residents; VAT 0% for other passengers — export of services).
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much compensation can I get for a delayed flight in Europe?
Under EU Regulation 261/2004, you can receive €250 for flights up to 1,500 km, €400 for flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km, and €600 for flights over 3,500 km. The compensation applies when your flight arrives more than 3 hours late.
Does the price of my ticket affect the EU261 compensation amount?
No. EU261 compensation is a fixed statutory amount based entirely on flight distance. Whether you paid €50 or €500 for your ticket makes no difference to the compensation you are entitled to.
Is the compensation reduced for short delays?
Yes — but only in one specific case. For flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km within the EU, if the airline re-routes you and you arrive within 3 hours of the original time, the compensation is reduced by 50% to €200. For all other situations, you receive the full amount.
What delay qualifies for EU261 compensation?
You need to arrive at your final destination at least 3 hours later than the scheduled arrival time. Departure delay alone is not enough — it's the arrival delay that counts.
Do I get compensation if the delay is the airline's fault vs extraordinary circumstances?
No compensation is payable if the airline proves the delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances — events outside its control, such as severe weather, air traffic control strikes, or security threats. Technical faults discovered during routine maintenance are generally NOT considered extraordinary.
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