Cancelled Flight Rights
When your flight is cancelled with less than 14 days notice, EU law gives you a choice: refund or rerouting — plus up to €600 in compensation.
Check Your Compensation Free →When does EC 261/2004 apply?
The regulation covers specific disruption types. Knowing the difference between qualifying and non-qualifying events is the first step to a successful claim.
Qualifying events
You are entitled to fixed compensation if any of the following apply:
- ✓Flight cancelled less than 14 days before scheduled departure
- ✓Alternative flight offered arrives 2+ hours later than original
- ✓Cancellation due to airline operational reasons (crew, aircraft, commercial decision)
- ✓Last-minute schedule change that effectively cancels your original flight
Extraordinary circumstances
Airlines may be exempt from paying compensation if the disruption was caused by:
- ✗Cancellation announced more than 14 days before departure
- ✗Alternative offered arrives within 2 hours of original schedule
- ✗Extreme weather making the flight impossible (not minor disruptions)
- ✗Airport closure due to volcanic ash, security threat, or ATC strike
How much can you claim?
EC 261/2004 sets fixed compensation amounts based on flight distance. There is no discretion — if you qualify, you are owed these amounts by law.
| Flight distance | Minimum delay | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Under 1,500 kme.g. London → Paris | 3 hours+ | €250 |
| 1,500 – 3,500 kme.g. London → Cairo | 3 hours+ | €400 |
| Over 3,500 kme.g. Frankfurt → New York | 3–4 hours | €300 |
| Over 3,500 kme.g. Frankfurt → New York | 4 hours+ | €600Maximum |
How to claim compensation
The process is straightforward. AirHelp handles the legal complexity so you don't have to chase airlines or understand EU law.
Enter your flight number and travel date. EC 261/2004 applies to flights departing from EU airports, or arriving in the EU on an EU-based carrier.
Locate your boarding pass, booking confirmation, and any communication from the airline about the disruption. AirHelp will guide you through exactly what's needed.
Submit once through AirHelp's platform. Their legal team handles all correspondence, escalation, and court proceedings — no follow-up needed from you.
Compensation lands directly in your bank account. AirHelp charges a 35% service fee only when your claim succeeds — zero upfront cost.
Frequently asked questions
Everything passengers ask before filing their first claim.
You are entitled to a full refund OR rerouting at the airline's cost, PLUS €250-€600 in compensation depending on flight distance. The airline must offer you the choice — they cannot force vouchers on you.
It depends on timing and reason. Government travel bans may qualify as extraordinary circumstances, but general low demand does not. If the airline cancelled because the flight wasn't commercially viable, you are entitled to compensation.
Yes. Under EC 261/2004, the airline must provide meals, refreshments, two phone calls/emails, and hotel accommodation plus transport if an overnight stay is required. These are in ADDITION to compensation.
Absolutely. EC 261/2004 applies equally to all airlines — Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air, Vueling, and every other carrier. Budget airlines have no exemption from EU passenger rights.
No. You have a legal right to a cash refund within 7 days. Airlines often push vouchers because it's cheaper for them, but you are not obligated to accept them. Insist on a cash refund if that's what you want.
Yes, if the flights were booked on a single reservation. Your compensation is based on the distance to your final destination and the delay in reaching it. Separate bookings are treated as independent flights.
Check if your flight
owes you up to €600
Takes 3 minutes. No win, no fee. AirHelp has helped 10M+ passengers recover over €1.2 billion in compensation.
Check Your Compensation Free →Protected by EU law · Regulated · GDPR compliant