Understanding Flight Cancellation Claims: Your Rights and Regulations

Raindrops cover an airplane window, through which a parked airplane with visible engines and a partially obscured emblem on the tail is seen on the wet tarmac. Ground handling equipment and a person in high-visibility clothing are visible near the aircraft.
Raindrops cover an airplane window, through which a parked airplane with visible engines and a partially obscured emblem on the tail is seen on the wet tarmac. Ground handling equipment and a person in high-visibility clothing are visible near the aircraft.

Europe: Understanding Regulation EC 261

Regulation EC 261/2004 is a European law that offers protections to air passengers. It ensures airlines are held financially responsible when travel disruptions occur, provided the issue wasn’t caused by extraordinary circumstances beyond the airline’s control.

As one of the most comprehensive passenger rights laws worldwide, EC 261 outlines the care airlines must provide and specifies the compensation amounts passengers are entitled to — ranging from €250 to €600. Compensation applies in situations such as:

  • Delayed flights exceeding 3 hours.

  • Flight cancellations with less than 14 days’ notice.

  • Cases of denied boarding due to overbooking or other reasons within the airline’s control.

Passengers departing from any EU airport are protected under EC 261. In some cases, flights arriving in the EU from non-EU countries may also be eligible for coverage.

Compensation Amounts Under EC 261

  • €250: For flights under 1,500 km.

  • €400: For flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km.

  • €600: For flights over 3,500 km and some long-distance flights within the EU exceeding 1,500 km.

Claims Air Help

Learn about flight claim regulations and rules.

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