Advisory
Flight Delayed or Cancelled? How to Claim
Under EU 261, UK 261 and US DOT rules you may be owed up to 600 euros for a delayed or cancelled flight. How the rules work and how to claim.
Published January 10, 2026 · AI-assisted editorial
A delayed or cancelled flight is frustrating — but depending on where you flew and why, the airline may owe you cash compensation on top of rebooking or a refund. Most travelers never claim it, simply because they do not know the rules.
When you are owed compensation
- EU 261 / UK 261: for flights departing the EU/UK (or arriving on an EU/UK airline), a delay of 3+ hours or a cancellation within 14 days can entitle you to up to 600 euros — unless the cause was genuinely "extraordinary" (severe weather, air-traffic strikes).
- US DOT: rules focus on refunds for cancellations and significant delays, plus compensation for involuntary bumping from an oversold flight.
The amount depends on the distance and the length of the delay, not on what you paid for the ticket.
How to claim
You can file directly with the airline, but the process is slow and airlines often reject valid claims first time. Specialist services handle the paperwork and chase the airline for you on a no-win, no-fee basis:
- AirHelp and Compensair check eligibility free and pursue the claim for a cut of the payout.
- AirAdvisor handles EU claims, with a US-focused option too.
Keep your boarding pass, booking confirmation, and any delay notification — they are the evidence.
Do not forget your time at the airport
A long delay is more bearable from a lounge than a packed gate. And you can compare your flight options and the compensation rules for your route in one place.
What we are watching
Enforcement of passenger-rights rules is tightening in Europe, and claim services are making it easier than ever to collect what you are owed. If you have flown in the last few years and hit a long delay, it is worth checking — claims can often be filed retroactively.