Flight Delayed or Cancelled? You Could Be Owed Up to €600 ✈️
Your Flight Was Delayed.
The Airline Owes You Money.
Most passengers never claim it — not because they can't, but because they don't know it exists. Here's everything you need to know.
Check If I'm Owed Compensation →No win, no fee · Rated 4.6/5 · Trusted by 600,000 passengers
The money airlines hope you never claim
Picture this: you're at the gate, boarding pass in hand, watching the departure board flip from "On Time" to "Delayed." An hour passes. Then two. A gate agent offers a £5 voucher for a sandwich and a shrug. You eventually land four hours late — exhausted, with a missed connection, a lost hotel night, and a meeting you couldn't reschedule.
The airline, meanwhile, is legally obligated to pay you up to $4,700 in compensation. And statistically, there's a very good chance you never claimed it.
You're not alone. The vast majority of eligible passengers either don't know their rights, assume the process is too complicated, or simply let it go. Airlines know this — and they count on it.
"Passengers are entitled to compensation in most delay and cancellation scenarios. The problem is that airlines make the process opaque on purpose."
This guide covers exactly what you're owed, when you can claim, and the fastest way to actually get money back in your pocket — without spending days arguing with airline customer service.
When are you actually entitled to compensation?
Passenger protection laws are broader than most people realise. Under EU Regulation 261/2004 (EU261), UK261, US DOT rules, the Montreal Convention, and equivalent laws in Canada, Australia, and beyond, compensation can be triggered by:
- Your flight arrived at its destination more than 3 hours late
- Your flight was cancelled with less than 14 days' notice
- You were denied boarding because the airline oversold the flight
- Your baggage was delayed for more than 24 hours after you landed
- Your luggage was lost or arrived damaged
- You incurred out-of-pocket costs (hotel, meals, transport) because of a disruption
Importantly, these rules apply to flights departing from covered territories, or flights arriving into them on a covered carrier — which means a wide range of international routes qualify, not just domestic European or American flights.
How much compensation could you receive?
The exact amount depends on flight distance and the specific regulation that applies. Here's a quick reference:
| Flight Distance | Delay Threshold | Compensation (EU/UK261) |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 1,500 km | 3+ hours late | €250 (~$270) |
| 1,500 – 3,500 km | 3+ hours late | €400 (~$430) |
| Over 3,500 km (long-haul) | 4+ hours late | €600 (~$650) |
| Any distance (US DOT / Montreal) | Varies by carrier | Up to $4,700 |
On top of the standard amount, passengers may also be able to claim back expenses — receipts for airport meals, last-minute hotel stays, rebooked transport, and essential items bought when bags didn't arrive. Many passengers leave this money on the table entirely.
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What is AirAdvisor — and why does it matter?
Filing a compensation claim directly with an airline sounds simple. In practice, it often means weeks of automated responses, requests for documentation you weren't told to keep, and eventual rejection letters written in legalese designed to make you give up.
AirAdvisor is a specialist passenger rights service that handles claims on your behalf — combining automated technology with an in-house team of aviation law experts. They know how to navigate the system, when to push back, and how to escalate when airlines delay or reject valid claims.
Founded in 2017, AirAdvisor has now helped over 600,000 passengers across dozens of countries and airlines. Their no-win, no-fee model means there's genuinely no downside to checking — if they can't win your case, you don't pay anything.
Legal expertise, included
In-house aviation lawyers handle disputes and escalations without any extra charge to you.
Global route coverage
Supports claims under EU261, UK261, US DOT, Montreal Convention, and more — not just European routes.
No win, no fee
You pay nothing upfront. AirAdvisor only takes a commission when your claim is successfully paid.
Baggage claims too
Lost, damaged, or delayed bags? AirAdvisor handles reimbursement claims for these as well.
How the claims process works, step by step
Most people expect this to be complicated. It isn't — at least not when you use the right service.
Enter your flight details
Flight number, date, and route. Takes about two minutes on AirAdvisor's tool — no documents needed at this stage.
Get a free eligibility check
AirAdvisor's system checks the regulations that apply to your route and tells you instantly whether you have a valid case and what it's worth.
AirAdvisor files on your behalf
If you decide to proceed, their team handles all communication with the airline — including pushback, escalation, and legal action if needed.
You get paid
When the claim is approved, your compensation is transferred directly to you. AirAdvisor takes a commission only at this point — nothing if the claim fails.
Don't overlook your baggage rights
Baggage problems are one of the most under-claimed categories in travel compensation. If your bags arrived late, were damaged on the carousel, or never showed up at all — you likely have a valid claim you've never pursued.
Under the Montreal Convention, airlines are liable for losses caused by delayed or damaged baggage up to approximately 1,131 SDRs (roughly $1,500). That includes the cost of emergency essentials you had to buy — toiletries, a change of clothes, medication — while waiting for your luggage.
Keep your receipts. Even old ones. AirAdvisor handles baggage reimbursement claims alongside flight disruption cases, which means you can often pursue both at the same time for the same trip.
Common questions about flight compensation
Does it matter how long ago my flight was delayed?
In most cases, no — not immediately. Under EU261 and UK261, claims can typically be filed up to 6 years after the incident (3 years in some countries). If you've had a disrupted flight in the past few years, it's worth checking even if it feels like old news.
What if the airline blames "extraordinary circumstances"?
Airlines frequently cite extraordinary circumstances — bad weather, air traffic control strikes — to avoid paying out. However, this defence is narrower than most passengers assume. Mechanical failures, staff shortages, and many operational problems do not qualify. AirAdvisor's legal team knows how to challenge these rejections.
Can I claim if I already accepted a voucher from the airline?
Possibly. Accepting a food voucher or a small in-airport gesture doesn't automatically waive your right to statutory compensation. If you signed a written waiver specifically forfeiting your EU261/UK261 rights, the situation is more complex — but in many cases, partial acceptance doesn't close off a full claim.
What does AirAdvisor charge?
Nothing upfront. AirAdvisor operates on a no-win, no-fee basis, meaning you only pay a service commission if and when your claim is paid out. If they can't win your case, the check costs you nothing.
Does this work for US domestic flights too?
Yes. The US DOT has its own passenger protection rules, and the Montreal Convention applies to international flights to or from the US. The amounts and triggers differ from EU261, but compensation — particularly for baggage — can be very significant on US routes.
Your flight disruption could be worth real money
A two-minute check costs you nothing. If you have a valid claim, AirAdvisor handles everything — from filing to fighting — with no upfront payment required.
Start My Free Claim Now →Trusted by 600,000+ passengers · No win, no fee · Rated 4.6/5
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