Delays wreck plans at Heathrow or Charles de Gaulle. You miss connections, lose prepaid nights, and waste time at the gate. This guide explains EU261 compensation rules in simple language so you can turn disruption into money in your account and practical help on the day. You will see when EU261 compensation rules apply, how much you can claim, what airlines must provide while you wait, and how to file and escalate cleanly.
The goal is confidence: with EU261 compensation rules, you know your options for cancellations, long delays, and denied boarding. Keep this page handy, and you will be ready the next time your flight goes sideways.
What EU261 covers in plain English
EU261 compensation rules are the passenger rights set by Regulation 261/2004. They cover cancellations, long delays, missed connections, and denied boarding. If a flight departs from the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, EU261 compensation rules apply no matter the airline. If a flight arrives in the EU and is operated by an EU, EEA, or Swiss carrier, EU261 compensation rules apply there too. The regulation standardizes cash compensation, refunds or rerouting, and care while you wait. You do not need a lawyer to use EU261 compensation rules; you only need the facts of your trip and a short, documented claim.
If you also travel on tight budgets, ideas in On a Budget help you plan thrifty trips while EU261 compensation rules stand ready as your backstop: On a Budget.
A fast three-question jurisdiction check
Ask three things to confirm EU261 compensation rules:
- Where did the flight depart
- Where did it arrive and who operated it
- What went wrong
If it departed the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, EU261 compensation rules cover it. If it arrived in the EU and the operating carrier is EU, EEA, or Swiss, EU261 compensation rules cover it. Treat each leg as a separate flight when checking coverage. Codeshares can confuse service responsibilities, but coverage under EU261 compensation rules follows those points.
If you travel as a remote worker, planning guides in Digital Nomad help you build flexible itineraries so EU261 compensation rules stay as a safety net rather than the main plan: Digital Nomad.
Compensable causes versus extraordinary circumstances
EU261 compensation rules pay cash for disruptions within the airline’s control. Common covered causes include crew mismanagement, rotation delays, most technical faults, late incoming aircraft, and scheduling mistakes. Extraordinary circumstances can remove cash liability: major weather events, large air traffic control restrictions not initiated by the airline, runway closures, and serious security incidents. If an airline claims an extraordinary circumstance, ask for details and proof; EU261 compensation rules put the burden of proof on the airline.
For day-to-day tactics that reduce chaos when things slip, quick checklists in Travel Hacks pair well with EU261 compensation rules: Travel Hacks.
Cash amounts and distance bands
EU261 compensation rules set fixed cash amounts by distance:
• Up to 1,500 km: €250
• 1,500–3,500 km, and all intra-EU over 1,500 km: €400
• Over 3,500 km: €600, which can be reduced to €300 if you accept rerouting and arrive 3–4 hours late
These are per passenger. Children with tickets qualify. Vouchers can be declined; EU261 compensation rules allow you to insist on cash. Compensation is separate from care and from refunds or rerouting, so a single disruption can produce both cash and services under EU261 compensation rules.
Trip inspiration that rewards buffers and good timing lives in Epic Destinations, and pairs well with EU261 compensation rules when a dream trip faces real-world delays: Epic Destinations.
Cancellations and your three choices
When a flight is canceled, EU261 compensation rules give you three options:
- Rerouting at the earliest opportunity
- Rerouting at a later date at your convenience
- A full refund of unused parts, and sometimes of flown parts if the trip no longer serves its purpose
Cash compensation may still be due unless you were informed far enough in advance, or your rebooking keeps arrival within strict limits. If the cause was within airline control, EU261 compensation rules usually entitle you to the cash amount plus care.
Denied boarding and overbooking
If you are bumped involuntarily, EU261 compensation rules guarantee care, your choice of refund or rerouting, and cash compensation by distance. If the airline asks for volunteers, get the offer in writing and avoid waiving rights you still want. Even volunteers can negotiate meals, hotel, or extra vouchers. EU261 compensation rules remain your baseline when a gate area gets hectic.
Care and assistance while you wait
Care is separate from cash. Under EU261 compensation rules, airlines must provide meals and drinks after certain waits, two free communications, and hotel plus transport if an overnight is required. If care is not provided, buy reasonable options and keep receipts to claim later. EU261 compensation rules also cover passengers with special assistance needs; communicate these early and document every interaction.
Build the paper trail that wins
A tidy file speeds approvals. Collect:
• Booking confirmation and boarding pass
• Photos of gate screens and app alerts
• Written explanation from staff or airline channels
• Proof of actual arrival time at the final destination
• Receipts for meals, transport, hotel
• Names or badge numbers of staff you spoke with
This reduces back-and-forth and supports escalation if needed.
File your claim in seven short steps
Confirm jurisdiction and cause
Calculate the distance band and the correct euro amount
Draft a one-page claim with flights, times, and the compensation band
Submit via the airline portal or email and reference the regulation by name
Attach your evidence and specify a bank transfer for payout
Track dates and follow up after a couple of weeks
Escalate using official channels if the airline refuses or ignores you
If your trip involves the United Kingdom, the UK regime is similar but separate. When your flights are EU-covered, you still cite EU261 compensation rules; for UK-only routes, follow the UK process.
Escalation paths that actually move cases
If your claim stalls, EU261 compensation rules allow escalation to the National Enforcement Body for the country of departure or arrival in the EU. Some carriers use certified alternative dispute resolution. Small-claims court can be an option after administrative routes. A formal escalation with clean evidence and precise timing language often triggers movement under EU261 compensation rules.
Missed connections and split tickets
If all legs sit under one ticket, EU261 compensation rules look at the delay at the final destination. A late first leg that pushes you past a three-hour arrival delay can qualify. With split tickets, each contract is one trip in the eyes of the rules; coverage shrinks. Keep complex itineraries on one ticket so EU261 compensation rules protect the full journey.
Overnight delays, hotels, and ground transport
If your delay runs overnight, the airline must provide a hotel, meals, and transport between airport and hotel. If they cannot arrange it quickly, book a reasonable option and save receipts. EU261 compensation rules support reimbursement for reasonable costs; choose mid-range solutions unless only higher options exist.
Rerouting rights you can request
When stranded, ask for rerouting on partners or competitors that arrive earlier. You are not limited to the original airline if viable alternatives exist. Consider nearby airports and surface transfers. Get every commitment in writing. If you must self-rescue because reasonable reroutes are refused, keep all receipts and screenshots so you can claim later.
Refunds and partial refunds without confusion
A refund ends the contract. You can request a refund of unused parts and, in some cases, of flown parts if the trip no longer serves its purpose. If you accept a later reroute, you still keep care rights while waiting. Cash compensation can sit alongside refunds and care when the disruption qualifies.
Distance calculations that match the regulation
Compensation bands depend on the great-circle distance of the disrupted journey, not the sum of segments. Use a free distance tool, take a screenshot, and submit it with the claim. Since euro amounts are tied to distance, that proof shortens arguments about the correct band.
Deadlines, records, and persistence
Limitation periods vary by country. Mark a calendar on the day of disruption, keep a folder with all messages and attachments, and log every follow-up. Clean records and polite persistence often unlock approvals, especially after a precise follow-up or the start of a formal escalation.
Three scenarios to copy
Short-haul delay with a technical issue
Madrid to Paris arrives 3 hours 20 minutes late due to a technical fault. You can claim €250 plus care.
Long-haul cancellation from a crew shortage
Frankfurt to Toronto is canceled the same day for crew mismanagement; the reroute arrives 26 hours late. You can claim €600 plus hotel and meals.
Missed connection on one ticket
Lisbon to Berlin via Zurich arrives 4 hours late because the first leg was late. The final arrival delay is the trigger for compensation.
Do it yourself or hire an agency
A complete self-filed claim can take under an hour. Use a one-page structure, attach evidence, and reference EU261 compensation rules clearly. Agencies can help if time is tight, but they take a percentage. Either way, facts, screenshots, and the fixed structure of EU261 compensation rules do the heavy lifting.
Prevent problems before they start
You cannot control weather, but you can reduce risk. Book longer connections in winter, pick first departures, and track inbound aircraft on your app. Carry a slim delay kit with snacks and a power bank. Save a summary of EU261 compensation rules on your phone so you can quote the right line in minutes. Smart preparation trims chaos, and EU261 compensation rules cover the rest.
When you want more travel ideas that reward buffer-friendly routing, browse the main site and branch into the topics that match your style: Viral Voyage.
