Flight Compensation in France
Updated June 2026 · EU261 · France
Quick answer
Flights departing France are covered by EU261, so a delay of 3+ hours, a short-notice cancellation or denied boarding can be worth €250–€600 per passenger. In France you generally have five years to bring a claim, and the enforcement body is the Direction générale de l'aviation civile (DGAC).
Claiming in France
France applies EU261, the air passenger rights regime that gives you fixed cash compensation for long delays, cancellations and denied boarding. You claim directly with the airline first; if it refuses a valid claim, the Direction générale de l'aviation civile (DGAC) is the body that oversees enforcement, and an ADR scheme or the small-claims court is the next step. All of that is free.
The practical thing to watch is the deadline: in France you generally have five years to bring a claim. Treat that as indicative — it depends on the forum — but don't assume an older flight is too late without checking.
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Get your money back
Claim services typically keep 25–35% of your payout as commission. Claiming directly with the airline yourself is free.
Start your claim — no win, no feeFlight compensation in France: FAQ
- How long do I have to claim flight compensation in France?
- In France the limitation period is generally five years. These periods are indicative and depend on which court would hear the claim, so confirm before filing an older claim — but flights from the last couple of years are usually still claimable in 2026.
- Who enforces air passenger rights in France?
- The national enforcement body is the Direction générale de l'aviation civile (DGAC). If the airline rejects or ignores a valid EU261 claim, you can escalate to them or to an approved alternative dispute resolution (ADR) scheme — for free — before considering court.
- How much can I claim for a flight from France?
- Compensation is fixed by distance: €250 (£220) up to 1,500 km, €400 (£350) for 1,500–3,500 km, and €600 (£520) over 3,500 km, halved on long-haul when you arrive 3–4 hours late. The ticket price doesn't matter.
- Is claiming in France free?
- Yes — you can claim directly with the airline at no cost, and escalate to the Direction générale de l'aviation civile (DGAC) for free if needed. A no-win-no-fee service keeps roughly 25–35% of the payout and is worth it mainly when the airline stonewalls or court is needed.
France airlines
Free eligibility check · service fee 25–35% only if you win · claiming directly yourself is free