EC delay statistics
2.2% of the EC flights we observed in September 2026 reached the compensation threshold, against 1.5% across all airlines.
Updated 2026-10-02 · CSV · Markdown · Press: support@flightcompensations.com
In September 2026, 2.2% of the 13,072 EC flights we observed reached the compensation threshold: three hours late or more at arrival, or cancelled. Among 167 airlines with 200 or more flights, EC ranked 23rd from the top. The average was 1.5%. These EC delay statistics come from our own monitoring.
How often was EC delayed or cancelled, month by month?
Each row is one frozen monthly release, so the figures will not change. The rank compares EC with the other airlines that had 200 or more observed flights that month; 1 is the highest rate.
| Month | Flights | Qualifying | Cancelled | Rate | Rank | All airlines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 2026 | 13,072 | 286 | 236 | 2.2% | 23 of 167 | 1.5% |
| August 2026 | 281 | 17 | 15 | 6.0% | 1 of 49 | 1.6% |
Against August 2026, the rate moved −3.9 pts.
How does EC compare with similar airlines in September 2026?
The airlines ranked just above and below EC that month.
| Airline | Flights | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| CS | 317 | 2.2% |
| easyJet | 37,599 | 2.2% |
| EC | 13,072 | 2.2% |
| Qatar Airways | 19,702 | 2.2% |
| American Airlines | 15,804 | 2.1% |
The full ranking is in the airline delay rankings.
What are passengers owed when a EC qualifies?
Under Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, a delay of three hours or more at arrival, or a late cancellation, can mean €250, €400 or €600 per passenger, by distance. EC compensation follows the same rules as any other airline's. The airline can still refuse for extraordinary circumstances, such as a storm. EC cancellations count from the day the airline cancels; the notice it gave decides each claim.
- Check one flight with the compensation calculator.
- Read the EU261 guide in plain language.
- Start a claim if your own flight was one of them.
The rules will change. The European Parliament approved a reform of EU261 on 7 July 2026, expected to apply from the second half of 2027. Until then the current rules stand.
How were these EC figures made?
We record the scheduled and actual times of passenger flights at a panel of monitored airports. A flight qualifies when it arrived three hours or more late, or was cancelled. Qualifying is not the same as owed. The panel is a sample, so every count is a floor, not the whole market. A codeshare counts once, under the airline that operates it. The monthly release explains the method in full.
How can you cite these EC delay statistics?
Quote any figure freely. Attribute it to FlightCompensations, link to https://flightcompensations.com/data/airlines/ec, and name the month. The data is also available as CSV and Markdown. For comment, Jaacov Sonenblick is available; write to support@flightcompensations.com.
Questions about these figures
How often is EC delayed?
In September 2026, 2.2% of the 13,072 EC flights we observed arrived three hours or more late or were cancelled. Across all airlines we watched, the rate was 1.5%. The figures come from our own monitoring of a panel of airports, so they are a sample.
Does a EC delay mean I am owed compensation?
Not always. Under EU261 a delay of three hours or more at arrival, or a late cancellation, can mean €250 to €600 per passenger. The airline can still refuse for extraordinary circumstances, such as a storm. Our calculator checks one flight in a minute, using the same rules.
How often are these EC figures updated?
Once a month. Each month is frozen after it closes and its flights finalise, and the page adds it as a new row. Published months only change by a correction, which the monthly release lists with the old figures beside it.
Sources
- Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 — the regulation itself, in every EU language