Flight compensation for delayed flights - when and how to claim?
If you had a flight delayed in the last six years you could be entitled to flight compensation up to 600 EUR per passenger! Read on to know when and how to claim your flight compensation!
Points to remember
The EU261 covers passengers flying through the European Union and protects them in cases of flight delays, cancellations, and other disruptions
The amount you are entitled to can range between €250 and €600 per passenger, depending on the distance of your flight
The delay must have been caused by the airline in order for you to be eligible for compensation
You have up to 6 years to claim compensation for a delayed flight!
So your flight was delayed, and now you are not sure what to do? Here is everything you need to know about flight delays, your eligibility for flight compensation, and when and how to claim:
Introduction to delayed flight compensation: Your rights in the EU
The current law is known as the EU 261. It came into force in 2005 and protects air passenger rights around the world, specifically those travelling to and from EU member countries. This document outlines the cases in which passengers are entitled to compensation from airlines due to delayed, cancelled, or otherwise disturbed flights. In cases of delays, which are the most common issue, you are entitled to a monetary compensation between 250 and 600 euros per person if:
- Your flight is delayed by at least 3 hours upon arrival at your destination
- The cause of the delay can be attributed directly to the airline
Keep in mind that there are some more nuances, however. Read below for more detailed information.
Frequently asked questions in cases of delayed flights
1. Is my flight delayed?
Checking the status of your flight before you go to the airport is always the best practice. The best way to find out the exact status of your flight is to check the official airport website of your departure and destination. If your flight has already been announced as delayed, there is a good chance you will find it in our table of recently disrupted flights below.
Znajdź swój lot i uzyskaj odszkodowanie
| Linia lotnicza | Trasa lotu | Numer lotu | Data | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ups... Wygląda na to, że nie mamy jeszcze informacji na temat Twojego lotu. Nie martw się jednak, wciąż możesz mieć szansę na odszkodowanie! |
If you do not see your flight, but you know it is delayed, it is possible that our table is pending an update. In this case, check your flight by filling out our short form:
2. Why was my flight delayed?
Step one when your flight is delayed should always be to ask an employee what the reason for your delay is. This is important because it could be the deciding factor when determining your eligibility for flight compensation later on.
(Hot tip: Try to get as much information on paper as possible; ask them to send you email confirmations or record the conversations on your phone. This way, you will have all the facts on your side when you go claim your compensation. )
The common reasons for flight delays include:
- Bad weather (strong winds, storms, hail, rain, etc.)
- Aircraft technical issues
- Airline operational issues
- Crew strikes
- Bird collisions
- Unstable political climate of country of departure or arrival
- Ill or unmannered passengers
In many of these cases, the delay can be linked to an issue that could have been prevented by the airline. That would mean that you qualify for compensation for delays due to aircraft technical issues, airline operational issues, crew strikes and more; whereas for things like bad weather or bird collisions where the airline cannot be named responsible, then you would not be entitled.
To be sure of whether you qualify or not, check your flight for free in just a few clicks!
How long does my flight have to be delayed for in order to be eligible for compensation?
The general rule is that your flight has to be delayed by at least 3 hours in order to qualify for compensation. That means that airlines are not forced to compensate you for ‘minor’ delays (for example 30 minutes, or even an hour).
Moreover, there are 3 important things to know:
- If your flight is delayed by at least 2 hours, regardless of reason, the airline is legally obliged to provide you with meals, drinks, and reimburse you for any reasonable expenses.
- The delay must be of at least 3 hours upon arrival and the airlines’ fault in order for you to be eligible for flight compensation
- If you arrive at your destination with less than 4 hours delay, the airline has the right to half the amount of your flight compensation.
How much money can I get for a delayed flight?
There are three compensation brackets that determine the amount of compensation you are entitled to, and these depend on the distance of your flight, as follows:
- Flights shorter than 1,500 KM : £220
- Flights between 1,501 and 3,500 KM : £350
- Flights over 3,500 KM: £520
It does not matter how much your ticket cost or where you booked it. What is important when determining how much money you qualify for in the even of a delayed flight is how far you were flying -> and what counts is the total distance of your itinerary, adding up the distances of your connecting flights when applicable!
How long do I have to claim compensation for a delayed flight?
When claiming flight compensation for a delayed flight, the legislation taken into account are
- The legislation of your country of departure
- The legislation of your country of arrival and
- The legislation of the country your airline is based in
Often, these range between 2 and 6 years, but when claiming with Lot-Opóźniony.pl, our legal experts make sure that we always use the regulations that have the most benefits for your exact case — so it’s probably worth the deep dive into your emails!
Think you qualify for flight compensation? Check your flight below in just a few minutes and claim your compensation with the help of legal experts at Lot-Opóźniony.pl! With 15 years of experience in the field, Lot-Opóźniony.pl is your safest bet at claiming back what airlines lawfully owe you.