What is delayed flight compensation?
Delayed flight compensation is a fixed financial payment owed by an airline when a passenger reaches the final destination at least 3 hours late and the disruption falls within EU261 or UK261. The payment is not a refund of your ticket and does not require you to prove actual financial loss.
The right is designed to compensate passengers for lost time and inconvenience. It can apply to low-cost, charter and full-service airlines alike.
Four conditions to check first
- The flight arrived at least 3 hours late at the final destination.
- The route was covered by EU261 or UK261.
- You had a confirmed booking and arrived for check-in on time.
- The delay was not caused by extraordinary circumstances outside the airline's control.
How much compensation can I receive?
The amount depends on distance, not on the price of the ticket. You can also use the flight compensation calculator before submitting a claim.
| Flight distance | Compensation amount |
|---|---|
| Up to 1,500 km | 250 EUR |
| 1,500-3,500 km, or intra-EU flights over 1,500 km | 400 EUR |
| Over 3,500 km outside the EU | 600 EUR |
Example routes
| Route | Approx. distance | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Warsaw - Berlin | 520 km | 250 EUR |
| Krakow - London | 1,470 km | 250 EUR |
| Warsaw - Athens | 1,600 km | 400 EUR |
| Warsaw - Lisbon | 2,850 km | 400 EUR |
| Warsaw - Dubai | 4,280 km | 600 EUR |
| Warsaw - New York | 6,850 km | 600 EUR |
Want to check your route?
Use the calculator to estimate the amount before sending the claim.
When compensation is not due: extraordinary circumstances
Airlines do not have to pay compensation if they prove that the delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances and could not have been avoided even with all reasonable measures.
Examples that can be extraordinary
- Severe weather that makes the flight unsafe
- Air traffic control strike or restrictions
- Security threats
- Airport closure
- Political instability or safety restrictions
Examples that are usually not extraordinary
- Ordinary technical faults
- Airline staff shortages
- Late arrival of the previous aircraft
- Internal airline strikes in many situations
How to claim compensation for a delayed flight
Step 1: Collect basic documents
- Booking reference (PNR), flight number and flight date.
- Ticket, e-ticket or booking confirmation.
- Boarding pass if you still have it.
- Messages from the airline and receipts for extra costs.
Step 2: Send a formal claim to the airline
The claim should identify the flight, route, delay, legal basis and requested amount. If the airline refuses, ask for evidence supporting the refusal.
Step 3: Escalate if the airline refuses
Depending on the jurisdiction, escalation can mean ADR, a court claim or handing the case to a no win, no fee company such as ClaimWinger.
Prefer to hand it over?
Send the claim through the form. We will review the flight details and tell you whether it is worth pursuing.
FAQ
1. Am I entitled to compensation if my flight was delayed by 3 hours?
Yes, if you reached your final destination at least 3 hours late, the flight was covered by EU261 or UK261, and the delay was not caused by extraordinary circumstances such as severe weather, air traffic control restrictions or a security threat.
2. How much compensation can I claim for a delayed flight?
The amount depends on distance: 250 EUR for flights up to 1,500 km, 400 EUR for flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km or longer intra-EU flights, and 600 EUR for long-haul flights over 3,500 km outside the EU.
3. Does the ticket price affect the compensation amount?
No. Flight compensation under EU261 is fixed by distance. A passenger with a low-cost promotional ticket can be entitled to the same amount as a passenger who paid much more for the same flight.
4. What counts as a delay of 3 hours?
The relevant time is the delay at arrival, not departure. What matters is when you reached the final destination compared with the scheduled arrival time.
5. What if the airline refuses to pay?
You can challenge the refusal, use an ADR body where available, file a court claim or hand the case to a compensation company working on a no win, no fee basis.