Flight compensation in Europe for delays and cancellations

If your flight to or from Europe encounters delays, cancellations, or denied boarding, you may be entitled to compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004, which provides comprehensive protection for air passengers. This regulation ensures that travelers are not left out of pocket or stranded due to disruptions caused by airlines. EU Regulation 261/2004 protects air passengers flying to or from Europe, regardless of their nationality. However, there are some nuances to consider for US passengers traveling with a US airline versus a European airline.

US passengers on US carriers

US passengers traveling on a US airline are only protected by EU Regulation 261/2004 when flying from Europe back to the US. The regulation does not apply to US carriers flying from the US to the EU. This means that if a US passenger’s flight from the US to Europe is delayed, canceled or results in denied boarding, they are not entitled to compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004.

US passengers on European airlines

US passengers flying with a European airline, regardless of the origin or destination of the flight, are fully protected by EU Regulation 261/2004. This means that if a US passenger’s flight with a European airline experiences any of the covered disruptions, they could be entitled to compensation under the regulation.

In what situations does EU 261 apply?

Under Regulation 261/2004, passengers are eligible for compensation if their flight experiences an arrival delay of three hours or more, is canceled with less than 14 days’ notice of scheduled departure, or if they are denied boarding due to overbooking. The amount of compensation varies depending on the length of the delay, with higher payouts for longer disruptions.

Flight destinations within the EU

€250 (~$270) compensation for a flight up to 932 miles
€400 (~$435) compensation for a flight between 932 and 2,175 miles

Flight destinations outside the EU

€400 (~$435) compensation for a flight between 932 and 2,175 miles
€600 (~$653) compensation for a flight more than 2,175 miles
€300 (~$326) compensation for a flight more than 2,175 miles and with an arrival delay of less than three hours

There are some exceptions to the compensation rules. For example, the disruption must not be caused by extraordinary circumstances. Extraordinary circumstances such as weather conditions, political instability, or air traffic control strikes, are not considered the airline’s fault and may not be grounds for compensation.

In case of a delay of two hours or more, the airline is obligated to provide you with care such as refreshments and meals. If the flight disruption necessitates an overnight stay, the airline must arrange for hotel accommodation and transportation.

To facilitate reimbursement of these expenses, ensure you retain all receipts.

How to claim compensation and expenses

If you believe you are entitled to compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004, you can contact the airline directly. Most EU airlines have a dedicated process for handling complaints and processing compensation claims.

This is different for US airlines. Most don’t even have a dedicated webpage explaining passenger rights.

If you are not satisfied with the airline’s response or you don’t want to be bothered with contacting the carrier, you can seek legal assistance. EUclaim is a service specialized in helping passengers claim compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004.