Diverted flight compensation: landed at the wrong airport
Your flight landed somewhere other than your booked destination. You may be entitled to onward transport, care and — depending on the cause and your final arrival time — compensation. Check your flight and we'll assess it.
Checked by the FlightCompensations editorial team
Last updated 1 July 2026 · Editorial & corrections policy
What do diverted flight rights say the airline owes you?
Key takeaways
- A diversion means landing at a different airport from the one you booked.
- The airline must get you to your original final destination and cover any onward surface transport.
- Your delay is measured by arrival at the booked final destination, including the onward leg — not the diverted landing time.
- Compensation of €250–€600 may apply if that final arrival was 3+ hours late for a reason within the airline's control.
- Care (meals, refreshments and accommodation where needed) applies while you are re-routed, whatever the cause.
When does diverted flight compensation apply?
May qualify for compensation
- The flight fell under EU261 or UK261 (departing the EU/EEA or UK on any airline, arriving in the EU/EEA on an EU carrier, or arriving in the UK on a UK or EU carrier).
- You had a confirmed booking and checked in on time.
- The flight landed at an airport other than your booked destination.
- You reached your booked final destination 3+ hours late for a reason within the airline's control.
Usually excluded
- Diversions caused by genuinely extraordinary circumstances the airline could not avoid, such as severe weather or a sudden airport closure.
- Cases where you still reached your booked final destination less than 3 hours late after onward transport.
- Diversions for reasons outside the airline's control, such as a medical emergency or security incident on board.
- Flights with no EU/EEA/UK connection under these regulations.
Which rules apply to your flight?
EU Regulation 261/2004 applies to flights departing any EU/EEA airport (any airline) and flights arriving in the EU/EEA on an EU/EEA carrier.
When the airline lands you at an alternative airport, it pays to get you on to the airport you booked, or to a nearby destination you agree to. It owes you care in the meantime. Compensation is assessed on the delay at your final destination and whether the cause was within the airline's control.
How much compensation can you get?
Potential EU261 / UK261 compensation by flight distance
| Flight | Amount |
|---|---|
| Up to 1,500 km | €250 |
| 1,500–3,500 km (and all intra-EU over 1,500 km) | €400 |
| Over 3,500 km | €600 |
Applies only where arrival at your booked final destination was 3+ hours late for a reason within the airline's control. Amounts are per passenger and illustrative until we verify eligibility.
What should you do after a flight diverted to another airport?
- 1Record the airport you actually landed at and the airport on your ticket.
- 2Note when you finally reached your booked final destination, including any onward transport.
- 3Keep any missed-connection details if the diversion broke a later leg of the same booking.
- 4Ask the airline, in writing, why the flight was diverted.
- 5Keep receipts for meals, accommodation and onward transport, then check your eligibility.
Which documents should you keep?
How do you claim?
- 1Enter your flight number and date to get a preliminary assessment.
- 2Tell us where the flight was diverted to and when you reached your booked destination.
- 3We assess the cause and the final-destination delay, then prepare and submit the claim.
- 4If we recover compensation, you receive the airline's award and pay our fixed €39 fee.
Frequently asked questions
My flight landed at a different airport — is that a diversion?
Yes. A diversion is when a flight lands at an airport other than the one on your ticket. The airline must arrange onward transport to your booked destination and provide care while you wait.
How is my delay measured after a diversion?
By when you actually reached your booked final destination, including any onward flight or surface transport — not by when the diverted flight landed. If that arrival was 3+ hours late for a reason within the airline's control, compensation may be due.
Who pays for the coach or train to my real destination?
The airline. When a flight is diverted, the carrier must bear the reasonable cost of getting you on to your booked destination. Keep your receipts if you had to arrange it yourself.
Does a weather diversion qualify for compensation?
Often not, because severe weather can be an extraordinary circumstance outside the airline's control. Your onward-transport and care rights still apply, and each case is reviewed on its specific facts.
Sources
- Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 — the regulation itself, in every EU language
- UK Civil Aviation Authority — passenger rights — the UK regulator's own guidance and complaint route
Does your flight qualify?
Free in about 15 seconds. You receive the airline's compensation and pay only our fixed €39 fee after success.
Check my flight