Get BIG Compensation for a European Flight Delay

A delayed European flight can mean BIG compensation if the details come out right. Let me introduce you to EU Flight Compensation 261/2004. This not widely known European Union rule turned a 3+ hour flight delay in Iceland into a 2-for-1 deal on London flights for us. So sort out your details and get you compensation for a European flight delay!

What is the Rule Around EU Flight Delays

Bottom line: based on distance, if your flight is several hours late on arrival at the final destination, you may qualify for reimbursement. The amount depends on the route’s distance.

Traveling Within the EU:

• 1,500 km or less- EUR 250 (2 hour or more delay)
• over 1,500 km- EUR 400 (3 hour or more delay)

Traveling Between an EU Airport and a non-EU airport

• 1,500 km or less- EUR 250 (2 hour or more delay)
• 1,500-3,500 km- EUR 400 (3 hour or more delay)
• over 3,500 km – EUR 600 (4 hour or more delay)

Pay attention to this though: it has to be hours late based on the ARRIVAL, not departure. Many airlines are running behind on departure but push to make up time in air. For example, if your mid-distance plane left 3 hours and 10 min late but that door opened on arrival only 2 hours and 55 min late, no go.

What Won’t Qualify for a Refund

The airlines do have some reasonable limits. If you’re delayed due to “extraordinary circumstances”, you’re out of luck. These are often defined as either political unrest of severe weather.

If the airline knew in advance that there would be a delay and they offer you a comparable alternative route, you may get a 50% reduction in compensation. If the flight was canceled and you were offered a similar alternative, it’s possible you will not receive any compensation.

The airline you fly matters. It’s a myth that you have to be on a European airline’s flight to get compensation for delay. If you’re flying into an EU country from an outside country (i.e. the US to a European Union country) then you do HAVE to be flying on an EU airline. But if you are flying within the EU (i.e. Germany to Italy), it doesn’t matter which airline you fly.

For example, if your Icelandair flight from Kansas City to London is delayed more than 3 hours, then you may qualify for compensation. If your flight from United flight from Chicago to Rome is delayed, you will not because the flight is traveling between an EU and non-EU country and United is not an EU based airline. But if that United flight from Frankfurt to Rome is significantly delayed, there you go (within Europe.)

How Can I File a Claim

First step, be kind. Sending off an irate message, especially on social media, won’t get the job done. Most EU airlines will have something referencing claims in their “contact” section. Some simply say EU claim. Start with the airline.

Have your date of flight, flight number and ticket number handy. It also is a good idea to have the details on when your flight actually took off and actually landed. You can check something like Flight Aware and Flight Stats for that historical flight data. This isn’t always necessary, but remember your flight is determined late by the arrival time and you want to be authoritative on your awareness of that.

Be patient. The claims department will send you a reference number and an approximate time to hear back. It’s ok to check back in either through customer service or direct messaging if they exceed their stated time. Again, be polite.

If the airline denies your claim and you feel they’re wrong, or if the airline doesn’t have an easy route to make the claim, you can also hire a company to do the leg work and go through the challenge process for you. These companies will also do all the work from the beginning for you, but take out a chunk of the proceeds

How It Worked for Us

We flew Icelandair in late June, Kansas City to London with a layover in Iceland (Keflavik). The day before take off we learned that our segment from Iceland to London was going to be delayed at least three hours. We didn’t have enough time to make layover plans and arrived super tired, crashing on the coffeehouse benches with nothing to do.

Icelandair is an EU registered airline (Iceland). Our departure time into Heathrow was a bit over 3 hours later than scheduled. We chalked it up to stuff happens and went about our trip.

After I got home I read something about this rule and researched the details. I found the claim link on Icelandair and filled out the info. They quoted me 6 weeks or less for a resolution.

It took longer, but to their credit they did update me about the delays in the process. Whenever I reached out to check in they responded quickly confirming it was still in process. I didn’t expect much.

The the results were in. Approved!

I can’t speak for experiences with claims with other airlines, but Icelandair has been pleasant to work with.

Recap- Important Lesson:

If you have a delay over 3 hours for a European flight, make your compensation claim. The worst that will happen is you’re denied.

May the road rise to meet you, travelers, and may you always know your rights.

(We’re talking refunds here but you might just be wondering about how to afford GETTING to Europe. Never fear! Need some help getting a good deal on airfare, earning and using points, finding upgrades, finding the right hotel or scoring good hotel deals in expensive places/events? Stick with us. We got this.)