What a flight!

Delayed flight

Your flight was delayed

Three hours late at your destination is the line where fixed compensation usually begins. Here is what to do before you leave the airport, and what to do afterwards.

Do this before you leave the airport

  • Photograph the departure board showing the delay.
  • Ask staff, in writing if you can, for the reason for the delay.
  • Note the time the aircraft doors opened on arrival — that is the official arrival.
  • Keep boarding passes, the booking confirmation, and every receipt.

How much a delay is worth

€250 up to 1,500 km, €400 from 1,500 to 3,500 km and for longer intra-EU flights, and €600 beyond that. On the longest flights, a delay of three to four hours can be reduced by half. The amount is per passenger and does not depend on your ticket price.

Reasons that usually still pay out

Technical or maintenance problems, a late incoming aircraft caused by the airline's own schedule, crew sickness, crew out of legal hours, and strikes by the airline's own staff. These are treated as part of running an airline.

Reasons that usually do not

Severe weather, air traffic control restrictions or strikes, airport closures, security alerts, bird strikes and medical emergencies on board. If the airline cites one of these, it still has to show the delay could not have been avoided by reasonable measures.

Quick answer

Three hours late at your destination is the line where fixed compensation usually begins. Here is what to do before you leave the airport, and what to do afterwards.

Main rule
EU261 (EC 261/2004)
Potential compensation
€250–€600 per passenger
Delay threshold
Usually 3+ hours at final destination
Coverage
EU/EEA departures and qualifying arrivals

Common questions

My flight left late but landed on time — can I claim?
No. The clock that matters is arrival at your final destination. A late departure the crew made up in the air does not qualify.
I missed my connection because of a delay. What then?
If both legs were on a single booking, the delay is measured to your final destination, so a short first-leg delay can still produce a large claimable delay overall.
The airline gave me vouchers. Have I lost my claim?
Meal vouchers and hotels are the separate right to care. Accepting them does not waive your compensation. Be careful only with documents that explicitly settle or waive an EU261 claim.

Primary sources

Official guidance and legislation used to review this page.