Does the delay length change the amount?

Only at the top band, where landing 3–4 hours late can halve €600 to €300. Otherwise three hours late pays the same as ten.

I paid with miles. Same amount?

Yes. The payout is set by distance, not by what the ticket cost.

Can I claim expenses on top?

You can claim meals and hotel receipts the airline should have covered, and on international journeys, provable losses under the Montreal Convention.

Value

How much is my flight delay worth?

Three numbers cover almost every case in Europe: €250, €400 and €600 per passenger. Which one you get depends on distance, not on your fare or how much the delay cost you.

Short answer

Under 1,500 km and 3+ hours late: €250.
1,500–3,500 km and 3+ hours late: €400.
Over 3,500 km outside the EU and 4+ hours late: €600 (€300 if you landed 3–4 hours late).

What can take it to zero

An extraordinary circumstance — severe weather, an air traffic control strike, a security alert, a bird strike, a hidden manufacturing defect. Routine technical faults, crew problems and the airline's own strikes do not count, whatever the airline's first reply says.

What you get even then

Meals and refreshments for long waits, two calls or emails, a hotel and transfers overnight, and a choice between a refund and a replacement flight if the flight was cancelled. Those rights have no extraordinary-circumstances exception.

Multiply by passengers

The figure is per person. Four passengers on a delayed long-haul flight are owed €2,400 between them, on one booking, for one claim letter.

Quick answer

Three numbers cover almost every case in Europe: €250, €400 and €600 per passenger. Which one you get depends on distance, not on your fare or how much the delay cost you.

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

Does the delay length change the amount?: Only at the top band, where landing 3–4 hours late can halve €600 to €300. Otherwise three hours late pays the same as ten.
I paid with miles. Same amount?: Yes. The payout is set by distance, not by what the ticket cost.
Can I claim expenses on top?: You can claim meals and hotel receipts the airline should have covered, and on international journeys, provable losses under the Montreal Convention.

Primary sources

Official guidance and legislation used to review this page.

Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 — EUR-Lex
Air passenger rights in the EU — European Commission