Flight delay compensation: up to €600 when you land 3 hours late
Delayed flight? Under EU261 and UK261, a long delay at your final destination can entitle you to fixed compensation — separate from any refund. Check your flight and we'll assess it.
Checked by the FlightCompensations editorial team
Last updated 1 July 2026 · Editorial & corrections policy
Am I owed compensation for a delayed flight?
Key takeaways
- The 3-hour rule is measured by arrival at your final destination, not departure delay.
- Delayed flight compensation is €250, €400 or €600, set by the distance you were booked to fly.
- 'Extraordinary circumstances' (e.g. severe weather, ATC restrictions) can remove the right to compensation — but the airline must prove them.
- You keep any refund rights separately from compensation.
- You can usually claim for several years back, depending on the country.
Which situations qualify, and which usually don't?
May qualify for compensation
- The flight departed the EU/EEA or UK, arrived in the EU/EEA on an EU airline, or arrived in the UK on a UK or EU airline.
- You had a confirmed booking and checked in on time.
- You arrived at your final destination 3+ hours later than scheduled.
- The cause was within the airline's control (e.g. technical faults, crew, operational issues).
Usually excluded
- Delays caused by genuinely extraordinary circumstances the airline could not avoid.
- Arrival less than 3 hours late at the final destination.
- Flights with no EU/EEA/UK connection under these regulations.
- Situations where the airline gave sufficient advance notice of a schedule change (treated differently from delay).
Does EU261 delay compensation apply, or UK261, Swiss or US rules?
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.
Compensation of €250–€600 applies for arrival delays of 3+ hours where the cause was within the airline's control, following the Sturgeon ruling (C-402/07).
How much flight delay compensation do you get?
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 |
Long-haul delays of 3–4 hours may be reduced by 50% under Article 7(2). Amounts are per passenger and illustrative until we verify eligibility.
What should you do after a delayed flight?
- 1Note your original scheduled and actual arrival times at the final destination.
- 2Ask the airline, in writing, for the reason for the delay.
- 3Keep your boarding pass and booking confirmation.
- 4Keep receipts for meals, refreshments and accommodation.
- 5Check your eligibility and start a claim.
Which documents should you keep?
How do you claim?
- 1Enter your flight number and date to get a preliminary assessment.
- 2Add the journey details and any documents you have.
- 3We prepare and submit the claim to the airline and follow up.
- 4If we recover compensation, you receive the airline's award and pay our fixed €39 fee.
Frequently asked questions
My flight was delayed — what am I owed?
It depends on how late you arrived at your FINAL destination. Under 3 hours: no fixed compensation, but from about 2 hours of waiting the airline owes you care — meals, refreshments, and a hotel if the wait runs overnight. 3 hours or more: €250–€600 per passenger, unless the airline proves extraordinary circumstances.
My flight was delayed 3 hours — how do I claim?
Check the flight with us (free, about 15 seconds): we verify the actual arrival time against the official flight record, confirm the amount for your route, and file the claim for you. No win, no fee.
How much compensation do I get for a delayed flight?
€250 for flights up to 1,500 km, €400 for 1,500–3,500 km (and all intra-EU flights over 1,500 km), €600 beyond 3,500 km — per passenger, set by route distance, never by ticket price. Under UK261 the bands are £220, £350 and £520. Long-haul delays of 3–4 hours can be halved under Article 7(2).
How long does a flight have to be delayed for compensation?
3 hours or more, measured at arrival at your final destination — the moment the doors open, not touchdown (Germanwings v Henning, C-452/13). From about 2 hours of waiting the airline already owes you care: meals, refreshments, and a hotel if the wait runs overnight.
Can I claim compensation for a delayed flight myself?
Yes — you can always claim directly with the airline for free, and escalate to an ADR scheme or the national enforcement body if refused. Airlines reject a large share of valid first claims, though, which is where a fixed-fee service earns its keep: we verify the flight record, file, follow up and escalate, and charge €39 only if you get paid.
Is compensation for a delayed flight the same as a refund?
No — they are two different claims and you can have both. Compensation pays for the disruption itself; a refund returns the fare when you do not travel. The compensation amount follows the distance you were booked to fly, never the price you paid.
Is the 3-hour rule about departure or arrival?
Arrival at your final destination. A late departure that still arrives under 3 hours late generally doesn't qualify for compensation.
Does bad weather count?
Severe weather can be an extraordinary circumstance that removes compensation — but the airline must prove the specific weather made the delay unavoidable. Care rights can still apply.
How far back can I claim?
It depends on the limitation period where you would sue, which runs from 1 year in Poland to 6 years in the UK. Germany allows three, France five. The EU261 reform approved in July 2026 will replace these national limits with one 9-month deadline across the EU, expected from the second half of 2027; until then the national limits apply. Check sooner rather than later: evidence gets harder to obtain as the years pass.
What if I was delayed on a connection?
If it was one booking and the delay caused you to reach your final destination 3+ hours late, the whole journey may qualify.
Sources
- Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 — the regulation itself, in every EU language
- Sturgeon v Condor (C-402/07 & C-432/07) — the judgment that made a 3-hour arrival delay claimable at all
- Air France v Folkerts (C-11/11) — delay measured at the final destination, across a connection
- 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.
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