How to get compensation for a delayed or cancelled flight
See the process step by step, from initial check to payout. You can handle the claim yourself or let ClaimWinger manage it on a no win, no fee basis.
What happened to your flight?
Claim up to €600 for a delayed or cancelled flight.
Choose the situation that applies to your flight:
The compensation process, step by step
Step 1: Check whether the claim qualifies
First, confirm that the route is covered by EU261 or UK261, that the delay or cancellation meets the legal threshold and that the airline cannot rely on extraordinary circumstances.
Step 2: Collect documents
Prepare the booking reference, flight number, date, route, ticket, airline messages and receipts for additional expenses if you have them.
Step 3: Submit the claim
You can use the airline's claim form, send a formal demand letter, or submit the case through ClaimWinger and let us handle the correspondence.
Step 4: React to the airline response
Airlines often refuse claims by citing extraordinary circumstances. Many refusals can be challenged if the airline does not provide evidence or relies on reasons that are part of normal airline operations.
Step 5: Enforce payment
If the airline accepts the claim, payment usually follows within a few weeks. If not, ADR or court action may be appropriate depending on the case.
Three ways to pursue compensation
Option A: Do it yourself
You keep 100% of the compensation, but you spend time researching, writing and potentially litigating.
Option B: Traditional law firm
A law firm can be useful for complex or high-value cases, but it often requires an upfront fee.
Option C: Compensation company
ClaimWinger works on a no win, no fee model. You do not pay upfront; the fee is deducted only if compensation is recovered.
| Criteria | DIY | Law firm | ClaimWinger |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | 0 | EUR 100-450 equivalent | 0 |
| Success fee | 0% | Usually fixed fee | 30% + VAT if applicable |
| Financial risk | Passenger | Passenger | ClaimWinger |
| Passenger time | 5-20 hours | 1-3 hours | About 2 minutes to submit |
| Court handling | Passenger | Yes | Yes, included |
| Foreign-language airline communication | Passenger | Law firm | ClaimWinger |
Want us to handle the process?
Send the flight details and we will assess the claim.
What ClaimWinger does when the airline refuses
- We analyse the airline's explanation and request evidence.
- We prepare follow-up letters and challenge weak arguments.
- Where justified, we escalate the case through ADR or court proceedings.
- We cover the procedural cost risk under the no win, no fee model.
What you receive after a successful case
After the airline pays compensation, ClaimWinger transfers the net amount to your bank account and sends a settlement summary. For a Polish or EU consumer where Polish VAT applies, the net examples are:
| Compensation | Net amount to passenger |
|---|---|
| 250 EUR | 157.75 EUR |
| 400 EUR | 252.40 EUR |
| 600 EUR | 378.60 EUR |
VAT treatment depends on residence and client status. The detailed rules are explained on the pricing page.
FAQ
1. How long does the compensation process take?
Simple cases can be resolved in a few weeks. If the airline refuses and ADR or court action is needed, the process can take several months. The timeline depends on the airline, documents and jurisdiction.
2. What documents do I need?
The minimum is usually the booking reference, flight number and flight date. Tickets, boarding passes, airline messages and receipts for extra costs are helpful but not always essential at the first step.
3. Can I hand over the case if I already complained myself?
Yes in most cases. You can send us your previous complaint and the airline response. We cannot take over a case that is still actively handled by another compensation company.
4. Do I pay anything if the case is lost?
No. In the no win, no fee model used by ClaimWinger, you pay only if compensation is successfully recovered.
5. What do I sign when I appoint ClaimWinger?
You sign a service agreement and a power of attorney limited to the specific flight compensation claim. It does not give access to your bank account or unrelated legal matters.