Earnly/Passenger rights/EU261 flight compensation: eligibility and amounts
European Union passenger rights

EU261 flight compensation: eligibility and amounts

Check whether EU261 covers the route, which disruption test applies and whether the facts support fixed compensation, care, rerouting or a refund.

Reviewed 2026-08-04 · Source-backed overview, not legal advice

Does EU261 cover your flight?

Current EU261 rules can cover flights departing an EU airport on any airline and certain flights arriving in the EU when operated by an EU airline. A qualifying final-arrival delay of at least three hours, short-notice cancellation or involuntary denied boarding may produce fixed compensation. Extraordinary circumstances can remove compensation, but they do not automatically remove every care, rerouting or ticket-refund right.

Choose your next step

Start with the guide that matches your route or problem, then keep the evidence a later claim may need.

Flight delayedCheck the delay factsRecord the final-arrival delay, operating carrier and airline’s stated cause.Flight cancelledChoose refund or reroutingSeparate the immediate travel choice from any later compensation claim.Denied boardingCheck bumping rightsDistinguish an involuntary denial from a volunteer arrangement.Prepare a claimSave the right evidenceKeep the booking, notices, final arrival time, explanation and receipts in one file.

Possible compensation

Current compensation bands are €250 for flights of 1,500 km or less, €400 for intra-EU flights over 1,500 km and other flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km, and €600 for other longer flights. Long-flight compensation may be reduced in some rerouting situations. These figures are fixed by distance rather than ticket price.

Delay, cancellation and denied boarding are separate tests

A delay claim generally focuses on final-destination arrival. Cancellation compensation depends on notice, replacement timing and cause. Involuntary denied boarding requires the passenger to have presented on time with a valid reservation and documents, and not to have volunteered. Refund, rerouting and care can apply alongside or instead of compensation depending on the event.

The 2026 EU update is adopted but not yet in force

The Council gave final clearance to updated passenger-rights legislation on 13 July 2026. The Council states that the new framework will enter into force 12 months and 20 days after publication in the Official Journal. Until that effective date, this page describes the current EU261 framework rather than treating the new rules as already operative.

Claim and escalation

Claim from the operating airline first. Include the booking, flight, route, final arrival time, cancellation notice or denied-boarding record, and the remedy requested. If the airline does not resolve the matter, the appropriate national enforcement body depends on where the incident occurred and the route.

Common questions

How much EU261 compensation could apply?

Current EU261 bands are €250, €400 or €600, depending primarily on flight distance. The amount is not based on ticket price, and the facts still need to meet the rule for the particular disruption.

Does EU261 apply to every delayed flight?

No. It can cover flights departing an EU airport on any airline and certain arrivals into the EU on an EU airline. A qualifying final-arrival delay, the route and extraordinary circumstances all matter.

Can I claim care as well as compensation?

Care, rerouting, refunds and fixed compensation are separate questions. Extraordinary circumstances can remove fixed compensation without automatically removing every care or ticket right.

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Official sources

  1. Air passenger rightsYour Europe, European Union · Reviewed 2026-07-18
  2. Regulation (EC) No 261/2004EUR-Lex, European Union · Reviewed 2026-07-18
  3. Council gives final clearance for stronger air passenger rightsCouncil of the European Union · Reviewed 2026-07-18
  4. National enforcement bodies for air transportEuropean Commission · Reviewed 2026-07-18
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