Passenger rights for flight delays apply under the EU regulations in the following scenarios:

• flight within the EU and operated either by an EU or a non-EU airline
• flight arriving in the EU from outside the EU and operated by an EU airline
• flight departing from the EU to a non-EU country operated by both an EU or a non-EU airline

and

• if the passenger has not already received benefits (compensation, re-routing, assistance from the airline) for flight-related problems for this journey under the relevant law of a non-EU country.

EU rules also apply to flights to and from Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.

From 1 January 2021, EU rules on air passenger rights do not apply to cases of delays to flights from the UK to the EU if the flight was operated by a UK or non-EU airline, even if the flight was booked before this date. 

EU rules continue to apply from 1 January 2021 if the flight from the UK to the EU was operated by an EU airline, unless the passenger has already received compensation for airline delays or other benefits under UK law.

However, UK rules on air passenger rights (UK 261) are mostly similar to EU 261 and apply:

• to passengers departing from a UK airport
• to passengers departing from outside the UK to an airport situated in:
  • the UK if the operating airline is either an EU/EEA airline or a UK airline
  • the EU/EEA if the operating airline is a UK airline.

One of the major differences is the replacement of the Euro value of the compensation with Sterling amounts.

A flight delay can happen at departure and/or at arrival. The extent of passenger rights differs depending on delay time and type. 

For the flights delayed at departure, passengers have the right to assistance, refund, and a return flight, depending on delay duration and flight distance.

In case the flight is delayed at least 5 hours at departure, the airline must reimburse the ticket and, if a passenger has a connecting flight, offer a return to the airport of departure at the earliest opportunity.

A delay of over 3 hours upon arrival at the final destination entitles passengers to compensation unless the delay is due to extraordinary circumstances.

Passengers on delayed flights are entitled to complimentary assistance at the airport, which may include the following, depending on the length of the delay and the flight distance:

- Refreshments
- Food
- Accommodation (if rebooked to travel the next day)
- Transport to and from the accommodation
- Two telephone calls, telex, fax messages, or emails

If the airline does not provide assistance and passengers pay for their own meals and refreshments, the airline should reimburse the necessary and appropriate expenses. It is important for passengers to keep all receipts for reimbursement purposes.

When a passenger reaches their final destination with a delay of 3 or more hours, they are entitled to compensation. The amount of compensation depends on the flight distance:

The deadline to claim late flight compensation depends on the airline and usually is 3-6 years after the flight date.

If the airline has offered a passenger a re-routing and they reached the final destination with a delay of 2, 3, or 4 hours, the compensation may be reduced by 50%.

Compensation is not due if the airline proves that the delay is caused by extraordinary circumstances which could not have been avoided. Examples of such events are:

• air traffic management decisions
• political instability
• adverse weather conditions
• security risks
• strikes external to an airline

However, if the airline states that the flight was delayed due to bad weather, but the other flights at the same time departed, it is better to double-check. You can easily do this using our compensation calculator.

Canadian flight delay compensation applies to all flights to, from, and within Canada. Airlines are required to inform passengers of the reasons for delays, as well as the compensation and treatment standards. If passengers are notified of the delay less than 12 hours before departure, standard treatment must be provided. For delays of 3 hours or more, passengers are entitled to alternate travel arrangements or refunds. If the delay notification is given within 14 days of the delay, the minimum compensation ranges from $125 to $1,000 CAD, depending on the duration of the delay and the size of the airline.

How long does a flight have to be delayed to qualify for compensation?

For flights covered by EU and Canadian legislation, passengers are entitled to compensation if the flight is delayed by at least 3 hours.

What is the amount of compensation for a flight delay?

The compensation amount varies based on factors such as the length of the delay, flight distance, and applicable legislation. It can range from €250 to approximately €670 (equivalent to 1000 CAD).

Flight delay. How do I claim compensation?

Claiming compensation for flight delays with Travelcompensation is simple. Just complete a brief online form, upload the required documents, and monitor emails or your profile for application updates. Filing an application is free; Our  service fee is only due when compensation is received by the passenger.