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How much compensation can I get for a delayed or cancelled flight from Europe?
You may be entitled to compensation for delayed flights in Europe if your flight was delayed for more than 3 hours or cancelled less than 14 days before departure! The compensation amount is calculated based on the distance of the flight and is provided per passenger.
| Distance of your flight | Compensation according to UK261/EU261 |
|---|---|
| Flights shorter than 1,500 km | £220 per passenger |
| Flight between 1,500 and 3,500 km | £350 per passenger |
| Flights of over 3,500 kilometres within the EU | £350 per passenger |
| Flights of over 3,500 kilometres outside of the EU | £520 per passenger |
Am I also entitled to flight compensation for delayed flights in Europe if my flight to Europe was delayed or cancelled?
The requirements to claim compensation for delayed flights in Europe or a refund for your delayed or cancelled flight to Europe differ slightly depending on the specifics of the inbound flight.
You can receive compensation for delayed flights in Europe if:
- You were flying with an airline headquartered in the UK or the EU
- You were flying with an airline that took off from the UK or the EU
More extensive information is provided in the table below:
| Type of flight | Example | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Flying with a British carrier | Tokyo to London with British Airways | Yes |
| Flying with a EU carrier | Amsterdam to London with KLM | Yes |
| Flying with a non-UK/non-EU carrier from the UK | London to Tokyo with Japan Airlines | Yes |
| Flying with a non-UK/non-EU carrier to the UK | Tokyo to London with Japan Airlines | No |
Did your flight to or from Europe get delayed?
What are the compensation and refund policies for cancelled flights from Europe?
If your flight out of Europe was cancelled, you may be — according to the EU and UK regulations — entitled to up to £520 in flight compensation, a full monetary refund, or both. Continue reading for more information on when you might be legally liable for these advantages.
When can I claim flight compensation for my cancelled flight from Europe?
According to the British and EU regulations, if your flight from Europe was cancelled, you might receive up to £520 in Europe flight cancellation compensation per passenger. In order to be eligible, your situation must meet the following two criteria:
- Your flight was cancelled less than 14 days before departure, AND,
- The airline was responsible for the cancellation (for more information on when the airline has legal grounds to refuse passenger compensation, see this page's "Extraordinary Circumstances" section).
| Cancellation notice | Alternative flight | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer than 7 days in advance | Departs 1h+ earlier or arrived 2h+ later | Yes |
| 7-14 days in advance | Departs 2h+ earlier or arrived 4h+ later | Yes |
| Fewer than 14 days in advance | No alternative flight offered | Yes + refund |
Did you fly with a European airline?
Flight Delayed UK can assist you with securing your compensation for delayed flights in Europe!
What do I do if I was offered a voucher for my cancelled flight from Europe?
Instead of a monetary refund, the airline may issue you a travel voucher. Here are some of the reasons why we don't recommend accepting travel vouchers (and opt for a refund instead):
- If you accept a travel voucher, you have to fly with the same airline in the future. Furthermore, the airline will almost certainly set a time limit for redeeming the voucher.
- If the airline goes bankrupt, you may encounter problems getting your money back.
Extraordinary circumstances disrupted my Europe flight — can the airline really deny my claim?
Even if a flight was cancelled or delayed by more than 3 hours, the airline can lawfully refuse to compensate customers in certain scenarios. These extraordinary circumstances usually happen when a third party or an unforeseen incident, instead of the airline, is to blame for the delay or cancellation.
The following list contains some examples of the most common extraordinary circumstances:
- Bad weather conditions (eg. dense fog, strong winds, or heavy rain)
- A strike caused by workers within the aviation industry not related to the airline (eg. baggage handlers). However, keep in mind that a strike caused by workers within the airline (eg. pilots, flight attendants) is NOT considered an extraordinary circumstance and you can claim compensation for a flight disrupted by such a strike!
- Natural disasters, such as earthquakes, wildfires, and volcanic eruptions
- A delay or cancellation caused by an ill or unruly passenger.
Rest assured, there's no need for you to investigate the cause of your delayed or cancelled flight to Europe. Our team of experts will take care of this for you, conducting a thorough analysis of both internal and external aviation data to ensure you receive your compensation for the Europe flight.
How long do I have to claim for my delayed or cancelled flight from Europe?
Three different laws each set a specific deadline for submitting a claim:
- The country of origin's law system
- The law of the country where you are travelling
- The country's law system of the airline’s headquarters
You have 6 years to file a claim for a flight refund and compensation if your flight originated in the United Kingdom.
Different time frames may apply when flying from another country; for instance, if you took a flight out of Paris, you would be qualified to file a claim under French law, which gives you 5 years to do so.
How long before I receive flight compensation for my Europe flight?
Passengers who register a claim for flight compensation with Flight Delayed UK typically receive their compensation or refund within a few weeks or months, contingent on how attentive the airline is.
If the airline is unresponsive or refuses our initial request, we will have to take legal action. Due to this legal phase, the claim procedure could take several months to several years longer.
Regardless of how long it takes, our experts will keep you updated on any adjustments to your claim and will be available to answer any of your questions!
How can I claim for a Europe flight cancelled or delayed?
Claim online now — Flight Delayed UK makes the claiming process simple and quick!
Once you submit a claim to Flight Delayed UK, a claim specialist will be allocated to your case. Following that, they will review your claim, compile the required paperwork, communicate directly with the airline, and, if necessary, initiate a lawsuit to safeguard your rights!
Why claim with Flight-Delayed
1m passengers helped
9 legal teams in 9 countries
98% of court cases won
About flying in Europe
With about two-thirds of all foreign visitor arrivals occurring in Europe, the continent leads the globe in international tourism. There are approximately 347 airports in Europe that have strong international connections. Heathrow Airport, Charles De Gaulle Airport in Paris, Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, and Istanbul Ataturk Airport are among Europe’s busiest and most popular for travellers.
105 airlines now operate scheduled flights in Europe, ranging from domestic to international routes. There are a few smaller airlines, bringing the total to roughly 150. Seven major full-service airlines, including British Airways, seven major low-cost airlines, including Ryanair, and more than 15 regional companies fly in Europe. The nation with the most airlines is Russia, followed by France and Spain.
There are countless incentives for visiting Europe. The cuisine, the people, and the abundance of sights and wonders would be more than enough to satisfy many tourists, as if its history, culture, and natural beauty weren't enough to lure you in. France, Spain, Italy, Greece, Switzerland, Germany, Ireland, Scotland, and the United Kingdom are among the top tourist destinations in Europe. However, some of the less visited nations, including Belgium, Portugal, Sweden, Russia, and Turkey, possess great historical and ecological resources that should not be ignored. Thanks to the proximity of all European countries, it makes it easy for travellers to explore as much of Europe as possible in one go!
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