Air passengers travelling under EU passenger rights rules may be entitled to compensation of up to €600 per passenger when a flight is cancelled, significantly delayed or a missed connection results in a substantial delay at the final destination.
The amount of compensation depends primarily on the flight distance:
- Up to 1,500 km: up to €250 per passenger
- More than 1,500 km within the EU: up to €400 per passenger
- More than 1,500 km and all other flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km: up to €400 per passenger
- More than 3,500 km: up to €600 per passenger
Passengers may qualify for compensation when they arrive at their final destination three hours or more late, subject to the specific circumstances and the reason for the disruption.
Similar rights can apply when a disruption causes passengers to miss a connecting flight, provided the flights fall within the scope of EU passenger protection rules and the booking meets the relevant conditions.
The compensation is not based on the price of the ticket. As a result, passengers who paid a relatively low fare may still be entitled to the same statutory compensation as other passengers travelling on the same route.
However, airlines are generally not required to pay compensation when a cancellation or delay is caused by extraordinary circumstances that could not reasonably have been avoided, such as certain severe weather conditions or air-traffic-control restrictions.
Passengers affected by a cancelled or delayed flight should keep their booking confirmation, boarding passes and details of the disruption when assessing whether they may have a claim.
