How long does a flight compensation claim take?

A simple, clear-cut claim where the airline accepts liability can be paid within a few weeks of your written request. A contested claim, where the airline disputes the cause or ignores you, can drag on for several months, especially if you escalate to a national enforcement body, an ADR scheme or court. Setting a firm four-to-six-week deadline helps keep things moving.

Is claiming flight compensation free?

Yes. You can claim directly from the airline for free and keep 100 percent of the payout. Escalating to a National Enforcement Body, the UK CAA or an approved ADR scheme is also free. A no-win-no-fee claim service is optional and keeps roughly 25 to 35 percent, which only makes sense when the airline refuses to cooperate.

Departure or arrival delay, which one counts?

Arrival delay is what matters for compensation. The clock is measured by how late you reached your final destination, defined as the moment the aircraft door opens, not when you took off. A flight can leave very late but make up time in the air, so always check the actual arrival time using a flight-tracker record before you claim.

Can the airline make me take a voucher instead of cash?

No. Under EU261 and UK261 you are entitled to cash compensation paid by bank transfer or a similar method. Airlines often push travel vouchers or air miles, sometimes at a higher face value, but you can decline and insist on money. Accepting a voucher may be treated as settling for less, so do not feel pressured to take one.

How far back can I claim for an old flight?

Time limits depend on the country whose courts would handle the case, and they vary widely, from around two years up to six years in some places. Even if a flight was a while ago, it is worth checking, because many passengers leave money unclaimed. Gather your booking reference and submit the claim as soon as you can.

What if my flight was cancelled, not delayed?

If your flight was cancelled with less than 14 days' notice, you may be owed the same 250 to 600 euro compensation, unless the airline offered a suitable alternative flight within set time windows or the cause was extraordinary. You are also entitled to a full refund or re-routing. See our delayed-flight guide for how the cancellation rules interact with rebooking.

How to Claim Flight Compensation: A Step-by-Step Guide

Updated June 2026 · Based on Regulation (EC) 261/2004, its UK equivalent and CJEU case law

Quick answer

To claim flight compensation, first confirm you are eligible: a three-hour-plus arrival delay, a cancellation with under 14 days' notice, or denied boarding under EU261 or UK261. Then gather your booking reference and boarding passes, work out the amount by distance, and send a written claim to the airline. If it refuses, escalate free to the national enforcement body or an ADR scheme. Claiming directly costs nothing.

When a flight is delayed or cancelled, the airline rarely volunteers the cash you may be owed. Under EU261 (Regulation 261/2004) and the UK's mirror rules (UK261), eligible passengers can claim fixed compensation of 250 to 600 euros, or 220 to 520 pounds, per person. The process is yours to drive.

This 2026 guide walks you through the whole thing as a clear numbered process, from checking eligibility to writing the claim and escalating if the airline ignores you. The most important point up front: claiming directly is completely free, so you keep every penny.

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Step 1: Confirm you are eligible

Compensation is owed in three core situations under EU261 and UK261: your flight arrived at the destination three or more hours late, it was cancelled with less than 14 days' notice, or you were denied boarding because the flight was overbooked. The rules cover all flights departing an EU or UK airport, and flights into the EU or UK on an EU or UK carrier.

There is one big exception. If the disruption was caused by extraordinary circumstances outside the airline's control, such as severe weather, air traffic control strikes or political instability, no compensation is due. Routine technical faults and staffing problems usually do not count as extraordinary, so do not take a refusal at face value.

Step 2: Gather your evidence

A documented claim is a strong claim. Pull together everything that proves you were on the flight and that it was disrupted. The airline already has this data, but having it yourself stops them brushing you off.

Pay special attention to the actual arrival time, since compensation depends on the delay at arrival, not departure. Arrival is measured when the aircraft door opens, so a flight-tracker record is useful evidence.

Your booking reference and ticket or e-ticket
Boarding passes for every passenger on the booking
The reason the airline gave for the disruption, in writing if possible
Screenshots of cancellation texts, emails or app notifications
A flight-tracker record of the actual arrival time

Step 3: Work out the amount

Compensation is fixed by flight distance, not by your ticket price. Knowing the figure before you write means the airline cannot lowball you. Use the calculator on this site to confirm your exact entitlement in seconds.

The bands under EU261 are straightforward, with broadly equivalent figures under UK261 in pounds.

Up to 1,500 km: 250 euros (UK261: 220 pounds)
1,500 to 3,500 km, and all flights over 1,500 km within the EU: 400 euros (UK261: 350 pounds)
Over 3,500 km between an EU and non-EU airport: 600 euros (UK261: 520 pounds)
For some longer flights delayed three to four hours, the airline may halve the top amount

Step 4: Find the airline's claim channel

Go straight to the airline. Most carriers have an official online compensation form or an EU261 / passenger-rights page, which is the fastest route and creates a dated record. If there is no form, use the customer-relations email address rather than a general booking line.

Avoid claiming through phone calls alone, because you want everything in writing. If you do call, follow up with an email summarising what was said so there is a paper trail you can rely on later.

Step 5: Write the claim

Keep your claim short, factual and firm. State the legal basis, the flight details, the delay at arrival and the exact amount you are demanding, and name every passenger on the booking so each person is covered. Here is a template you can adapt:

"I am writing to claim compensation under Regulation (EC) 261/2004 (or UK261) for flight [number] from [origin] to [destination] on [date], which arrived [X hours] late at its destination. Under this regulation I and the passengers named below are each entitled to [amount]. The passengers are: [full names]. Please confirm payment by bank transfer within 28 days. Booking reference: [reference]." Attach your boarding passes and any evidence.

Step 6: Set a deadline and refuse vouchers

Give the airline a clear, reasonable deadline of four to six weeks to respond. A firm date signals you know your rights and intend to follow through, and it starts the clock if you later need to escalate.

Airlines often offer travel vouchers or air miles instead of cash, sometimes worth more on paper. You are legally entitled to cash compensation, so you can decline the voucher and insist on a bank transfer. Accepting a voucher can be treated as settling for less, so do not feel pressured.

Step 7: Escalate for free if they refuse or ignore you

If the airline rejects your claim with a weak excuse, or simply goes silent past your deadline, you do not have to give up or pay anyone. Several free escalation routes exist depending on where you flew.

Each EU country has a National Enforcement Body that handles EU261 complaints. In the UK, you complain to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) or to an approved Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) scheme the airline belongs to. These bodies are free to use and can review the airline's decision independently.

EU flights: the National Enforcement Body of the relevant country
UK flights: the Civil Aviation Authority or an approved ADR scheme
All of these escalation routes are free of charge
Keep copies of every message and decision for your file

Step 8: When to use a no-win-no-fee service

If the airline stonewalls completely, disputes the cause of the disruption, or the case looks headed for court, a no-win-no-fee claim service can take it off your hands. These firms handle the paperwork and legal pressure and only charge if they win, typically keeping around 25 to 35 percent of the payout.

That fee is the trade-off for convenience and persistence. For a simple, clear-cut delay where the airline is cooperative, claiming directly keeps 100 percent of the money. For a contested or ignored claim you would otherwise abandon, a service that takes a cut of something still beats keeping all of nothing. See our claim-service-versus-DIY comparison to decide.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does a flight compensation claim take?: A simple, clear-cut claim where the airline accepts liability can be paid within a few weeks of your written request. A contested claim, where the airline disputes the cause or ignores you, can drag on for several months, especially if you escalate to a national enforcement body, an ADR scheme or court. Setting a firm four-to-six-week deadline helps keep things moving.
Is claiming flight compensation free?: Yes. You can claim directly from the airline for free and keep 100 percent of the payout. Escalating to a National Enforcement Body, the UK CAA or an approved ADR scheme is also free. A no-win-no-fee claim service is optional and keeps roughly 25 to 35 percent, which only makes sense when the airline refuses to cooperate.
Departure or arrival delay, which one counts?: Arrival delay is what matters for compensation. The clock is measured by how late you reached your final destination, defined as the moment the aircraft door opens, not when you took off. A flight can leave very late but make up time in the air, so always check the actual arrival time using a flight-tracker record before you claim.
Can the airline make me take a voucher instead of cash?: No. Under EU261 and UK261 you are entitled to cash compensation paid by bank transfer or a similar method. Airlines often push travel vouchers or air miles, sometimes at a higher face value, but you can decline and insist on money. Accepting a voucher may be treated as settling for less, so do not feel pressured to take one.
How far back can I claim for an old flight?: Time limits depend on the country whose courts would handle the case, and they vary widely, from around two years up to six years in some places. Even if a flight was a while ago, it is worth checking, because many passengers leave money unclaimed. Gather your booking reference and submit the claim as soon as you can.
What if my flight was cancelled, not delayed?: If your flight was cancelled with less than 14 days' notice, you may be owed the same 250 to 600 euro compensation, unless the airline offered a suitable alternative flight within set time windows or the cause was extraordinary. You are also entitled to a full refund or re-routing. See our delayed-flight guide for how the cancellation rules interact with rebooking.

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