Cancelled flight compensation: how can you get the best one?

A flight canceled by airline, is eligible for up to 600€ compensation from the airline according to the European flight cancellation compensation rules. This also applies for leading to a more than 3 hours delay at final destination,


EU flight cancellation compensation

A  flight canceled   by airline, is eligible for up to 600€ compensation from the airline according to the European flight cancellation compensation rules. This also applies for leading to a more than 3 hours delay at final destination,

According to European Commission Regulation 261/2004 and Turkish Regulation On Air Passenger Rights, for a flight canceled, the passenger is eligible for compensation. The flight must satisfy some conditions listed below.

Airline cancellation compensation

The compensation for a delayed or a cancelled flight, or even  denied boarding   ranges from €125 to €600. It depends on flight distance and delay duration, detailed information can be found below.

The condition are the following:

  • Your flight is cancelled,
  • You were  denied boarding   because of lack of vacant seats (overbooking).

Other conditions that might lead to a compensation :

  • The flight is delayed for more than 3 hours,
  • The flight is delayed for less than 3 hours, but a connecting flight has been missed and arrival to final destination was more than 3 hours late.

These conditions must also be respected :

  • The flight must not be delayed due to weather or other extraordinary conditions independant on the airline,
  • The flight must have been started no later than 6 years ago.

EU regulations cancelled flight

The flight route and airline should comply to one of the following possibilities :

  • Route from outside EU to EU, by an airline from EU,
  • Route from EU to outside EU, any airline,
  • Route from EU to EU country, with any airline.

Routes from outside EU to outside EU are not valid for European compensation claim according to the flight cancellation rights.

Flight cancellation rights

Unrelated to the compensation that will be given later, if necessary by using the help of claim companies such as CompensAir, the following must be provided to the passengers :

  • refreshments,
  • meals corresponding to the delay,
  • hotel accomodation when the passenger has to spend the night,
  • hotel transfer if a hotel night is necessary,
  • two complimentary phone calls, faxes or emails.

Please notice that the compensation doesn't have to be given if an alternative flight has been given, or if the cancellation was notified more than 14 days in advance.

For a flight cancellation due to extraordinary circumstances, the airline must give a ticket refund, an alternative transport to the destination, or a rebooking.

For connecting flights, all flights must be under the same booking code.

EU flight cancellation compensation

Flight of 1500km or less, arrival at destination less than 2 hours later : 125€.

Flight of 1500km or less, arrival at destination more than 2 hours later : 250€.

Flights between 1500 and 3500km, or inside EU more than 1500km, must be compensated 200€ for less than 3 hours delay at destination, or 400€ for more than 3 hours delay.

Flights with arrival or departure outside EU, longer than 3500km, must be compensated 300€ for a less than 4 hours delay at final destination, and 600€ for a 4 hours or more delayed arrival at destination.

Claim for cancelled flight

Use our compensation calculator to check your compensation right, or fill a claim directly on our partner  CompensAir   website.

Flight cancellation compensation letter

Your Name.

Your Address.

Name and address of Airline.

Assertion of compensation claims according to Art. 7 Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004.

Dear Sir/Madam,

I hereby claim compensation according to Art. 7 of Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004 for:

1. Your Name and address,

2. Name of other Passengers (for example your Wife/Husband or Children).

I claim compensation relating to flight [flight number] which I booked from [departure airport] to [arrival airport] on [booking date].

The flight was canceled.

The problem was not based on exceptional circumstances or act of God.

Due to the cancelation I have the right to be compensated by [XY Euros] for each passenger.

I am writing this letter to request you to pay an amount of [XY Euros] / Passenger for each passenger, which comes to a total amount of [XY Euros] immediately, but not later than 2 weeks from the date of this letter.

My bank account is [Bank / IBAN / SWIFT-BIC].

If I do not receive a response from you within the aforementioned deadline, I will seek immediate legal assistance.

With best regards,

Your Name, Date and your signature.

EU flight cancellation compensation letter

To claim for compensation, simply copy the EU flight cancellation  compensation letter   above in a new text document, adapt it to your needs, by adding your own personal and flight details, and send it to the airline customer service, if possible sending also a copy to a local consumers association.

Once the airline will have received your EU flight cancellation compensation letter, they are supposed to apply your rights and send you an answer accompanied if eligible by the right compensation for your flight canceled.

If that is not the case, meaning the airline refuses to give you compensation for your  flight canceled   even after you have sent them an EU flight cancellation compensation letter, then do not hesitate to contact a professional website such as  CompensAir   which will manage the  flight canceled   claim on your behalf, eventually taking the airline to court if necessary.

EU flight cancellation compensation letter model
European Commission Regulation 261/2004

Frequently Asked Questions

What factors determine the amount of compensation for a cancelled flight, and how can passengers ensure they receive the maximum compensation?
Compensation amount depends on the flight distance and the reason for cancellation. Passengers should understand their rights, file a compensation claim promptly with the necessary documentation, and negotiate with the airline if necessary.

Michel Pinson
About the author - Michel Pinson
Michel Pinson is a Travel enthusiast and Content Creator. Merging passion for education and exploration, he iscommitted to sharing knowledge and inspiring others through captivating educational content. Bringing the world closer together by empowering individuals with global expertise and a sense of wanderlust.



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