Flight Cancelled?
Claim up to
If your flight was cancelled and the airline is responsible, EU and UK law may entitle you to compensation — in addition to a refund or alternative flight.
Connecting you with our trusted claims partner · No win, no fee
Compensation depends on flight distance and cancellation circumstances.
Do I qualify for flight cancellation compensation?
Less than 14 days notice
If the airline informed you of the cancellation less than 14 days before departure, you may be entitled to compensation.
Airline responsibility
You may qualify if the cancellation was not caused by extraordinary circumstances beyond the airline's control.
Applicable routes
EU261 / UK261 generally applies to:
- Flights departing from the EU/EEA/UK
- Flights arriving in the EU/EEA/UK with an EU/UK carrier
Even if the airline offered you a replacement flight, you may still qualify for compensation if it caused a significant delay compared to your original arrival time.
How much compensation can I get?
Your compensation under EU Regulation EC 261/2004 depends on your flight distance. Compensation is calculated per passenger, not per booking.
Compensation amounts:
Short-haul flights
Under 1,500 km
Medium-haul flights
1,500 – 3,500 km
Long-haul flights
Over 3,500 km
Distance is calculated using the "great circle" method — the shortest path between two airports on Earth's surface. We cover 230+ airports worldwide.
Don't know your flight distance?
Select your airports to calculate
How to claim compensation
Option 1: Claim with FlightDelays.eu
Why use us:
- Simple online process — submit in under 3 minutes
- We handle all airline communication on your behalf
- Legal escalation if required — at no extra cost to you
- No win, no fee — you only pay if we succeed
- Expert team with 98% success rate on valid claims
Process:
- 1Submit your flight details
- 2Upload documents (if needed)
- 3Sign digital authorization
- 4We handle the rest — you get paid when we win
Option 2: Claim directly from the airline
Pros
- Direct contact with the airline
- No service fee if successful
- Full control over the process
Cons
- Long response times (often 2-4 months or more)
- Complex legal wording and airline jargon
- High rejection rates — airlines often deny valid claims
- No legal support if airline refuses to pay
- Time-consuming follow-ups required
Required documents:
- Booking confirmation / boarding pass
- Flight details (flight number, date, route)
- Proof of cancellation notification
- Personal ID and bank details
Typical timeline:
- Initial response: 4-8 weeks
- Resolution: 2-6 months (if not rejected)
- Legal escalation: 6-12+ months (if needed)
How long does it take to claim compensation?
The timeline depends on airline cooperation and whether legal action is needed.
Simple cases
2-8 weeks
Airlines cooperate quickly. Direct settlement without disputes.
Disputed cases
1-3 months
Airline initially rejects claim. Requires follow-up negotiation.
Legal escalation
6-12+ months
Court proceedings required. We handle this at no extra cost.
When compensation may NOT apply
Airlines are not required to pay if the cancellation was due to "extraordinary circumstances" — but they often misuse this excuse.
Usually not eligible
True extraordinary circumstances
- Severe weather — storms, volcanic ash, heavy snow
- ATC restrictions — air traffic control strikes or closures
- Security risks — terrorism, political instability, airport closures
- Medical emergencies — passenger health crises onboard
Often still eligible
Airlines wrongly claim exemption
- Technical issues — mechanical failures, part malfunctions
- Crew problems — staff sickness, scheduling errors
- Operational issues — overbooking, late aircraft arrival
- IT failures — booking system crashes, check-in errors
Important: Airlines often wrongly label technical problems, crew shortages, or operational issues as extraordinary circumstances. In many cases, cancelled flights caused by these reasons are still eligible for compensation.
Your rights while waiting for a new flight
When a flight is cancelled, airlines must provide care and assistance — regardless of the reason for cancellation.
Meals & Drinks
Free refreshments proportionate to waiting time
Communication
Two free phone calls, emails, or faxes
Accommodation
Hotel for overnight stays with transport included
Transport
Free transfer between airport and hotel
Tip: If the airline fails to provide this assistance and you pay out of pocket, keep all receipts. You may claim reimbursement on top of your compensation.
Your options after a flight cancellation
After a cancellation, you have the right to choose one of these options — regardless of whether compensation applies.
Full refund
Get a complete refund of your unused ticket within 7 days. This includes any connected flights that became pointless due to the cancellation.
Re-routing at earliest opportunity
The airline must get you to your destination as soon as possible — even if that means booking you on a competitor's flight.
Re-routing at later date
Choose to travel on a different date that suits you better, subject to seat availability on your preferred flight.
Remember: These rights apply even when compensation is not payable. Refund and re-routing rights are separate from your compensation entitlement.
What documents do I need?
Gathering the right documents helps speed up your claim. Here's what to prepare.
Required documents
- Booking confirmation
Email confirmation or e-ticket works too
- Flight details
Flight number, date, departure and arrival airports
Helpful but optional
- Cancellation notification from the airline
- Receipts for expenses (meals, transport, hotel)
- Photos of departure boards or notifications
- Email correspondence with airline
Compensation amounts shown are the maximum payable under EU Regulation EC 261/2004. Actual amounts depend on flight distance and circumstances.
Don't let airlines keep your money
Was your flight
You could be owed up to €600 under EU Regulation EC 261/2004
Join 50,000+ passengers who successfully claimed compensation for flight disruptions
Connecting you with our trusted claims partner · No win, no fee
This website provides general information and does not constitute individual legal advice. Eligibility depends on specific flight circumstances.