Flight Delay Compensation Calculator
Find out how much EU261 compensation you are entitled to for a delayed or cancelled flight.
Results are estimates for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial, legal, or medical advice.
EU Regulation 261/2004 entitles passengers to financial compensation when their flight is delayed by 3 hours or more at the destination, cancelled, or they are denied boarding. This calculator estimates your compensation based on the route type, delay duration, and flight distance. Note that airlines can reduce compensation by 50% if they offer re-routing that keeps your final arrival delay below 2–4 hours (depending on distance).
Since Brexit, UK passengers have their own equivalent — UK Regulation 261 (UK261) — which mirrors EU261 for flights departing UK airports. UK261 applies to all airlines on flights from UK airports, and to UK-licensed carriers on flights arriving into the UK. UK passengers can claim in GBP at approximately £220, £350 and £520 (the GBP equivalents of the EUR amounts). Both EU261 and UK261 are enforced, and claims can be submitted directly to the airline or via the national aviation authority.
Frequently Asked Questions
When am I entitled to flight delay compensation?
You are entitled to compensation under EU261/2004 if: (1) your flight departs from an EU airport (any airline); or (2) your flight arrives at an EU airport operated by an EU-based carrier — AND you arrive at your final destination with a delay of 3 hours or more (measured as actual arrival time vs scheduled arrival). Cancellations and denied boarding also qualify. Under UK261 (post-Brexit), the same rules apply for flights departing UK airports.
How much compensation can I claim?
€250 for flights up to 1,500 km; €400 for flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km; €400 for intra-EU flights over 3,500 km; €600 for non-EU flights over 3,500 km. Airlines can reduce compensation by 50% if they offer re-routing and your arrival is within 2 hours (short-haul), 3 hours (medium-haul), or 4 hours (long-haul) of the original scheduled time. Under UK261, equivalent amounts are approximately £220, £350, and £520.
What is UK261 and how does it differ from EU261?
UK261 is the UK's post-Brexit equivalent of EU Regulation 261/2004, retained in UK law after the UK left the EU. It applies to: all flights departing from a UK airport (any airline); and flights arriving at a UK airport operated by a UK-licensed carrier. The compensation amounts are the same as EU261 but quoted in GBP (approximately £220/£350/£520). If your flight departs from an EU airport and arrives in the UK, EU261 applies (not UK261). Both regulations can apply simultaneously on some UK-EU routes.
What are extraordinary circumstances?
Extraordinary circumstances exempt the airline from paying compensation. These include: severe weather (storms, heavy snow, lightning affecting aircraft); political instability or security risks at the airport; unexpected air traffic control restrictions; hidden manufacturing defects not detectable during normal maintenance; and strikes by airport staff or air traffic control (not airline staff). Crucially, technical faults with the aircraft generally do NOT qualify as extraordinary circumstances — the airline must prove the cause was genuinely outside their control.
Does EU261 apply to all flights?
EU261 applies to: all flights departing from an EU/EEA airport (any airline); and flights arriving at an EU/EEA airport operated by an EU/EEA-licensed carrier. It does NOT apply to flights outside the EU operated by non-EU airlines — e.g. an American airline flying New York to Dubai. UK261 applies to all flights departing UK airports (any airline), and to UK-licensed carriers arriving at UK airports.
How long do I have to claim flight delay compensation?
Time limits vary by country and carrier. EU261/UK261 do not specify a universal time limit — it is determined by national law. In the UK: 6 years (England & Wales), 5 years (Scotland). In France: 5 years. In Germany: 3 years. In Spain, Italy, and most EU states: 2–5 years. Some airlines have internal deadlines of 2–3 years. Always file as soon as possible after the disruption — the sooner you claim, the more evidence you have.
Can I claim for a cancelled flight?
Yes. A cancelled flight entitles you to the same compensation as a delay (€250/400/600) unless: (a) the airline informed you of the cancellation 14 days or more before departure; or (b) the cancellation was due to extraordinary circumstances. You are also entitled to choose between a full refund of your ticket or re-routing to your destination at the earliest opportunity, plus meals and refreshments if the wait exceeds 2 hours.
Does the delay need to be the airline's fault?
No — EU261/UK261 compensation is based on the passenger's experience (the delay), not on fault. The only exception is extraordinary circumstances (weather, security, etc.) which relieve the airline of the compensation obligation. However, even with extraordinary circumstances, the airline must still offer you a choice of refund or re-routing, and provide care (meals, accommodation if overnight stay is required).
How do I claim flight delay compensation?
Step 1: File a written complaint directly with the airline, citing EU Regulation 261/2004 (or UK261 for UK flights). Keep all boarding passes, booking confirmations, and evidence of actual arrival time (baggage receipts, taxi receipts, etc.). Step 2: If the airline refuses or doesn't respond within 6–8 weeks, escalate to the national aviation authority: CAA (UK), DGAC (France), Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (Germany), ENAC (Italy). Step 3: Use Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) — in the UK, the CAA's PACT scheme or CEDR. You can also use a claims management company (typically 25–35% commission on the payout).
Do I need a compensation company to claim?
No — you can claim directly from the airline at no cost. Write to the airline's customer service team, reference EU261/2004 (or UK261), and state the delay, route, and amount you're entitled to. If the airline rejects the claim, escalate to the relevant authority. Compensation companies (AirHelp, Flightright, ClaimCompass etc.) handle the process for you in exchange for 25–35% of the payout. They are useful if the airline disputes the claim or if you don't want to deal with the process yourself.