Your flight was delayed seven hours. You missed your connecting flight, your important meeting, and spent $300 on hotel rooms and meals that the airline should have covered. Three months later, you’re still waiting for the compensation check that never arrives.
Meanwhile, the airline pocketed your money—again.
Here’s what they’re not telling you: Airlines owe billions in unpaid flight delay compensation every single year. The money sitting in their accounts right now? It belongs to passengers like you who either didn’t know they could claim it or got stonewalled when they tried.
But here’s the game-changer: you don’t have to be one of those passengers anymore. Armed with the right knowledge and tactics, you can force airlines to pay the compensation they legally owe you. We’re talking up to €600 (about $700 USD), plus reimbursement for every expense they caused.
This isn’t about begging for favors. This is about taking what’s already yours.
Why Airlines Fight So Hard to Keep Your Money
Before we dive into how to get paid, you need to understand the economics working against you.
Airlines save billions by rejecting valid claims. According to industry data, 52% of eligible flight delay compensation claims are wrongfully rejected at first. That’s not accidental—it’s calculated.
Think about it from their perspective: if they can convince even half of the eligible passengers to give up after one rejection, they save hundreds of millions of dollars annually. Over a quarter of compensation claims are simply ignored—just radio silence.
Here’s the brutal truth: airlines count on you not knowing your rights. They bank on rejection letters wearing you down. They profit every single time you decide fighting them isn’t worth the hassle.
But here’s where it gets interesting: once you know the system, once you understand exactly which laws protect you and which pressure points make airlines fold, the power dynamic completely flips.
Suddenly, you’re not begging—you’re demanding what the law guarantees you.
Flight Delay Compensation Laws That Force Airlines to Pay
The EU261 Rule: Your $700 Golden Ticket
If your flight touches Europe in any way, EU Regulation 261/2004 might be your strongest weapon. This law requires compensation of €250 to €600, depending on the flight distance, for delays of at least three hours, cancellations, or being denied boarding due to overbooking.
Here’s exactly when EU261 applies:
Scenario 1: Flying FROM Europe Any flight departing from an EU airport (plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, UK) triggers EU261 protection—regardless of which airline operates the flight. Doesn’t matter if it’s American Airlines, Delta, United, or a European carrier. If you depart from Frankfurt, Paris, London, Rome, or any European airport, you’re covered.
Scenario 2: Flying TO Europe on an EU Airline Flying from New York to Paris on Air France? Covered. Los Angeles to London on British Airways? Covered. The key is that the operating airline must be EU-based.
What disqualifies you: Flying from JFK to London on American Airlines doesn’t qualify—non-EU airline departing from outside Europe.
EU261 Compensation Amounts: Here’s What You’re Owed
The requirements for an entitlement to compensation and the specific amount owed depend on the length of a flight:
€250 ($275): Flights under 1,500 kilometers (932 miles)
- Examples: London to Paris, Rome to Milan, Amsterdam to Brussels
€400 ($440):
- EU flights between 1,500-3,500 km (932-2,174 miles)
- OR any flight between 1,500-3,500 km
- Examples: London to Athens, Paris to Morocco, Madrid to Istanbul
€600 ($700):
- Flights over 3,500 kilometers (2,174+ miles)
- Examples: London to New York, Paris to Dubai, Frankfurt to Tokyo
Critical detail: Flight delay is based on the scheduled arrival time, defined as when the doors are opened on the plane and not when it lands. If your plane touches down at the gate 2 hours and 50 minutes late but sits on the tarmac for 15 minutes before the doors open, you’ve crossed the 3-hour threshold.
US Compensation: Limited But Still Valuable
Let’s be clear: The United States has no federal law requiring airlines to pay cash compensation for delayed or canceled flights. This puts American travelers at a massive disadvantage compared to Europeans.
However, you still have rights—and ways to get paid.
What US Law DOES Guarantee:
1. Automatic Refunds for Significant Delays A consumer is entitled to a refund if the airline significantly delays a flight and the consumer chooses not to travel or accept travel credits, vouchers, or other forms of compensation offered by the airline.
“Significant” means:
- Domestic flights: 3+ hours delayed
- International flights: 6+ hours delayed
2. Involuntary Denied Boarding Compensation If you’re bumped from an oversold flight involuntarily, the airline must pay you involuntary denied boarding compensation, with the minimum amount depending on the price of the traveler’s ticket and the length of the delay.
Amounts range from $775 to $1,550, depending on how late you arrive.
3. Airline Customer Service Commitments The ten large U.S. airlines and their regional operating partners commit to providing certain amenities for controllable flight cancellations or delays.
These commitments include:
- Free rebooking on the same airline
- Meals or meal vouchers (delays 3+ hours)
- Hotel accommodations for overnight delays
- Ground transportation to/from hotels
The catch? Airlines decide what counts as “controllable,” and they won’t volunteer these benefits. You must demand them.
Canada, the UK, and Other Tier-One Countries
United Kingdom: Post-Brexit, the UK maintains its own version of EU261 called UK261. Same compensation amounts, same rules apply to flights departing the UK or arriving in the UK on UK carriers.
Canada: The Air Passenger Protection Regulations require compensation for:
- Delays 3-6 hours: CAD $400
- Delays 6-9 hours: CAD $700
- Delays 9+ hours: CAD $1,000
Brazil: ANAC 400 provides denied boarding compensation and allows claims for “moral damages” from airline-caused stress.
Australia: No compensation requirement, but strong refund protections.
The Airline Rejection Playbook (And How to Beat It)
Airlines use a predictable playbook to deny legitimate claims. Once you recognize these tactics, you can shut them down immediately.
Tactic 1: The “Extraordinary Circumstances” Catch-All
Airlines will say there were thunderstorms or icy runways… but data often shows there wasn’t a cloud in sight.
How they use it: “Extraordinary circumstances beyond our control caused your delay, so we’re not liable for compensation.”
Why it’s often BS: Airlines claim “extraordinary circumstances” for routine technical issues. A worn-out engine part that needs replacing? That’s not extraordinary—that’s normal wear and tear the airline should anticipate.
Your counter-move:
- Request specific documentation: “Please provide the official weather report, ATC delay notice, or technical log proving extraordinary circumstances.”
- Check weather records yourself: FlightAware, FlightRadar24, and airport weather archives
- Point out: “Technical issues due to normal wear and tear do not constitute extraordinary circumstances under EU261.”
Tactic 2: Radio Silence
At the top of the list, over a quarter of claims were simply ignored.
Airlines literally ignore your claim, hoping you’ll give up. No response. No acknowledgment. Nothing.
Your counter-move:
- Send a formal follow-up every 2 weeks
- Escalate to regulatory authorities after 30 days
- Use the exact phrase: “Your failure to respond within a reasonable timeframe violates passenger protection regulations. I will file a complaint with [regulatory body] if I don’t receive a response within 7 days.”
Tactic 3: Bureaucratic Burial
Airlines will sometimes reject valid documents or ask passengers for unreasonable extras.
They’ll claim your boarding pass isn’t good enough. They’ll demand impossible documentation. They’ll reject forms over minor inconsistencies.
Your counter-move: Submit a complete compensation package upfront:
- Boarding pass (digital or physical)
- Booking confirmation
- Delay/cancellation notification emails
- Photos of departure boards showing a delay
- Receipts for expenses
- Written timeline of events
Tactic 4: Lowball Settlement Offers
Airlines offer vouchers worth less than your legal entitlement, hoping you’ll take quick money over fighting for full compensation.
One passenger was offered $225 in cash (or a $400 voucher) to settle a $1,483 claim.
Your counter-move: Respond with: “I appreciate the offer, but my legal entitlement under [regulation] is [amount]. I expect full payment in cash, not vouchers, within 14 days.”
The Exact Process to Force Payment (Step-by-Step)
Phase 1: Document Everything IMMEDIATELY
The moment you realize your flight is delayed or cancelled:
At the airport:
- Photograph departure/arrival boards showing delay
- Save all airline communications (texts, emails, app notifications)
- Keep your boarding pass
- Get written confirmation of the delay reason from the airline staff
- Collect receipts for every expense: meals, transport, hotel, phone calls
Within 24 hours:
- Screenshot your booking confirmation
- Note exact arrival time (when doors opened, not wheels down)
- Write down the names of the airline staff you spoke with
- Check weather and ATC reports for your route
- Calculate your exact delay time
Phase 2: File Your Claim Like a Pro
Timing matters: You typically have 2-6 years to file, depending on jurisdiction:
- EU261: 6 years (UK), 5 years (Ireland), 3 years (most EU countries)
- US claims: 2 years underthe Montreal Convention
- Canadian claims: 1 year
Where to file:
- Directly with the airline (free but slower)
- Through compensation services like AirHelp, Flightright, and EU claim (they take 25-30% commission)
Your claim letter must include:
Subject: FORMAL FLIGHT DELAY COMPENSATION CLAIM – EU261/UK261/DOT
Dear [Airline] Customer Relations,
I am formally claiming flight delay compensation under [relevant regulation] for the following disrupted flight:
Flight Details:
- Flight number: [XX000]
- Date: [Date]
- Route: [Origin] to [Destination]
- Booking reference: [ABC123]
- Scheduled departure: [Time]
- Actual departure: [Time]
- Scheduled arrival: [Time]
- Actual arrival: [Time] (doors opened)
- Total delay: [X hours X minutes]
Passengers: [List all names as on bookings]
Compensation Calculation: Under [regulation], I am entitled to €[amount] per passenger. Total compensation owed: €[amount]
Supporting Documentation: Attached: boarding passes, booking confirmation, delay evidence, expense receipts
I request payment within 14 days via bank transfer to: [Bank details]
If I do not receive payment or a valid explanation for denial within 14 days, I will escalate this matter to [relevant enforcement body] and pursue legal action.
Sincerely, [Your name] [Contact information]
Pro tip: Use the exact phrase “FORMAL FLIGHT DELAY COMPENSATION CLAIM” in your subject line. It triggers different handling in airline systems.
Phase 3: When They Reject You (Because They Will)
Expect rejection. Plan for it. Here’s your escalation roadmap:
Week 1-2: Initial claim filed. Week 3-4: Follow up if no response. Week 5-6: First rejection arrives
Your immediate response to rejection:
Within 48 hours, send this:
Subject: APPEAL OF COMPENSATION CLAIM DENIAL – [Claim Reference]
Your rejection of my compensation claim [reference number] is not supported by the facts or applicable law.
Your stated reason for denial: [Quote their exact words]
Why this is incorrect: [Specific rebuttal with evidence]
For example:
- You claimed “extraordinary circumstances” but provided no supporting documentation
- Weather records show clear conditions at both origin and destination airports
- Technical issues due to normal wear are specifically excluded from extraordinary circumstances under [case law]
I am entitled to compensation under [regulation] and expect payment within 7 days. Failure to comply will result in:
- Formal complaint to [CAA/DOT/other authority]
- Small claims court action
- Public record of non-compliance
[Include all original documentation again]
Phase 4: Nuclear Option – Regulatory Complaints and Legal Action
If they still don’t pay, escalate to enforcement bodies:
EU/UK Flights:
- UK: Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)
- Germany: Luftfahrt-Bundesamt
- France: DGAC
- Netherlands: ILT
US Flights:
- US Department of Transportation (DOT) Aviation Consumer Protection Division
- File online: https://secure.dot.gov/air-travel-complaint
Canadian Flights:
- Canadian Transportation Agency
Your complaint should state: “[Airline] has violated passenger protection regulations by refusing to pay legally owed compensation. I have attempted a resolution directly with the airline without success. I request investigation and enforcement action.”
Small claims court: For EU261 claims, many passengers successfully sue in small claims court:
- No lawyer needed
- Filing fees typically €30-100
- Airlines often settle once sued
- The court process takes 3-6 months
Special Situations That Trigger Higher Payouts
Missed Connections
If you miss a connecting flight and arrive at your final destination with a delay of more than 3 hours, you are entitled to compensation.
Key: It’s your total delay to the final destination that counts, not just the delayed leg.
Example: Flight 1 delayed 1 hour → miss connection → arrive at final destination 5 hours late → full compensation owed.
Downgrade to Lower Class
If the airline moves you from business to economy: You may request reimbursement of 30% of the ticket price for flights of 1,500km or less; 50% of the ticket price for flights within the EU of more than 1,500 km, and all other flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km.
This is ON TOP of any delay compensation you’re owed.
Overbooking and Denied Boarding
Bumped involuntarily? In the EU, you get:
- Compensation (€250-€600 based on distance)
- Choice of refund or re-routing
- Care and assistance while you wait
In the US: $775-$1,550 depending on arrival delay.
Maximize Your Payout: Expense Reimbursement Tactics
Compensation is just the start. Airlines also owe you for actual expenses during delays.
What You Can Claim
Meals and refreshments: EU261 entitles you to meals in proportion to the wait time, plus two free phone calls, emails or faxes for delays exceeding:
- 2 hours (short flights under 1,500km)
- 3 hours (medium flights 1,500-3,500km)
- 4 hours (long flights over 3,500km)
Hotel accommodation: If your new departure time is scheduled at least the day after your originally scheduled flight, you are entitled to transportation to and from the airport and complimentary hotel accommodations.
Ground transportation: Taxis or shuttle to/from hotel
Phone calls: To notify family, employers, and hotels about delays
How to Get Maximum Reimbursement
The strategy: Pay out of pocket, keep receipts, file for reimbursement.
Airlines won’t volunteer to pay. They’ll make you wait without food, hoping you don’t realize they owe you meals. Don’t wait—buy what you need and bill them.
Receipt requirements:
- Original receipts (photos are fine)
- Date and time stamps
- Location matching airport/delay location
- Reasonable amounts (a €30 meal is fine, a €200 bottle of wine is not)
Filing for reimbursement: Include expense claims in your initial compensation demand:
“In addition to the €600 flight delay compensation owed, I incurred the following expenses directly caused by the airline-controlled delay:
- Meals: €87 (receipts attached)
- Hotel: €140 (receipt attached)
- Ground transport: €35 (receipts attached) Total expenses: €262
Total amount owed: €862.“
Credit Card and Travel Insurance: Your Backup Plans
Premium Credit Card Benefits
Many premium travel credit cards provide delay coverage:
Chase Sapphire Reserve/Preferred:
- Delay over 6 hours → up to $500 per ticket for meals and hotels
American Express Platinum:
- Delay over 6 hours → up to $500 per passenger
Capital One Venture X:
- Delay over 3 hours → up to $500 per passenger for expenses
How to claim:
- File an airline compensation claim first
- If the airline denies or delays, file a claim with your credit card
- You can pursue both simultaneously
- Credit card pays faster (30-60 days vs months with airlines)
Travel Insurance Delay Coverage
Check your policy for “trip delay” coverage. Typical benefits:
- Delay 6-12 hours → $500-$1,500 per person
- Covers meals, hotels, and essential purchases
Pro tip: You can double-dip—get airline compensation PLUS credit card/insurance reimbursement for expenses.
Common Mistakes That Kill Your Claim
Mistake 1: Accepting Travel Vouchers
Airlines love vouchers because:
- They cost the airline less than cash
- Many vouchers expire unused
- Vouchers lock you into that airline
What to do instead: Demand cash. It’s your right under EU261 and most regulations.
If pressured: “I do not accept travel vouchers. I am entitled to cash compensation under [regulation] and expect payment via bank transfer.”
Mistake 2: Not Claiming Expenses Separately
Many passengers claim compensation but forget to bill the airline for:
- The meals they bought during the delay
- Hotel rooms, they paid for
- Taxis to/from hotels
- Phone calls
- Replacement tickets had to be bought
Always submit: Compensation claim + Expense reimbursement claim
Mistake 3: Giving Up After First Rejection
One final point: don’t give up! Even if your flight delay was months ago, you can probably still claim compensation for it.
Airlines count on rejection wearing you down. That’s the entire strategy.
The reality: Passengers who appeal rejections have dramatically higher success rates. Push back. Escalate. Don’t quit.
Mistake 4: Missing Tight Connection Deadlines
You are not entitled to compensation if you miss your connecting flight due to delays at security checks or if you did not respect the boarding time of your flight at the airport of transfer.
If you had a legal connection time but spent too long at the duty-free and missed your flight, the airline owes you nothing.
Mistake 5: Failing to Document the Delay
Without documentation, you have no case. Photograph everything:
- Departure boards
- Gate agents’ written notices
- Delay notification texts
- Timestamp when the plane doors finally opened
Real Cases: How Passengers Forced Airlines to Pay
Case 1: The $4,200 Family Payout
A passenger calculated that his family would each receive 600 euros ($700) in EU261 compensation after Azores Airlines canceled their flight from Portugal to Boston. Initially, the airline ignored the claim for six months with auto-generated responses.
The breakthrough: Filing a formal complaint with the relevant aviation authority and sending a legal demand letter.
Result: Full compensation for all six family members = $4,200
Case 2: The Reimbursement Victory
A family flying American Airlines from Dallas to Mexico City experienced a controllable delay. The airline committed to helping passengers with meals during controllable delays, but they failed to offer the family this assistance. The passengers had to spend $305.11 on food, transport, and other essentials while stranded.
Action: Submitted receipts with detailed delay documentation.
Result: Full $305.11 reimbursement recovered.
When Compensation Services Make Sense
Flight compensation companies like AirHelp, Flightright, and EUclaim handle claims for you—but take 25-30% of your payout.
Use them when:
- Your claim was rejected, and you need legal expertise
- You don’t want to deal with airline bureaucracy
- The compensation amount justifies losing 30% (i.e., €600 claim = €420 after fees)
- You’re pursuing multiple claims
Handle it yourself when:
- Your claim is straightforward
- You have time to fight
- The amount is smaller (€250 claims become €175 after fees)
- You want 100% of your money
The middle ground: File your first claim yourself. If rejected, use a compensation service for the appeal and potential court action.
Your Action Plan Starting Today
You now have everything you need to force airlines to pay. Here’s your immediate action plan:
If you have a recent delay (within 90 days):
- Gather all documentation today
- File your formal claim this week
- Set calendar reminders to follow up every 14 days
- Prepare for rejection and have your appeal ready
If you have an old delay (within the statute of limitations):
- Check if you’re still within the filing deadline for your jurisdiction
- Gather whatever documentation you can recover
- File immediately—don’t wait
- Even old claims can succeed
For future flights:
- Save this article
- Document delays in real-time
- Know your rights before you fly
- Never accept “no” as a final answer
The Bottom Line: Stop Leaving Money on the Table
Every year, airlines keep billions in unpaid compensation from passengers who either don’t know their rights or give up too easily. That money belongs to you.
The system is designed to discourage you. Rejections are calculated. Silence is strategic. Complexity is intentional.
But armed with knowledge of EU261, US DOT regulations, and the exact tactics airlines use to avoid payment, you’re no longer at their mercy.
You’re a passenger who knows the law. Who documents everything? Who doesn’t accept BS rejections? Who escalates to authorities? Who takes them to court if necessary?
And suddenly, airlines discover it’s cheaper and easier to just pay you the $700 they owed from the start.
The question isn’t whether you CAN force airlines to pay flight delay compensation. The question is: will you?
Don’t let airlines keep your money for one more day.
Frequently Asked Questions About Flight Delay Compensation
1. How long do I have to claim flight delay compensation?
The deadline varies by jurisdiction:
European Union & UK: Between 2-6 years, depending on the country where you file:
- UK: 6 years
- Ireland: 6 years
- Germany: 3 years
- France: 5 years
- Spain: 5 years
- Italy: 2 years
- Netherlands: 2 years
The clock typically starts from the date of the disrupted flight, not when you file the claim.
United States: 2 years under the Montreal Convention for international flights. For domestic US flights, it depends on the airline’s contract of carriage, but it is typically 1-2 years.
Canada: 1 year from the date of the flight disruption to file with the Canadian Transportation Agency.
Pro tip: Don’t wait. File as soon as possible. Airlines have an easier time claiming they don’t have records from years ago, and documentation becomes harder to gather over time.
2. Can I still claim compensation if the airline gave me a hotel and meals during the delay?
Yes, absolutely. This is a crucial misunderstanding that airlines exploit.
Providing care and assistance (meals, hotel, transport) during a delay is a separate legal obligation from paying compensation. These are two different things:
Care obligation: Airlines must provide meals, accommodation, and transport during delays regardless of who’s at fault.
Compensation obligation: Airlines must pay €250-€600 cash compensation if the delay was within their control.
Getting a hotel voucher does NOT cancel your right to compensation. The airline owes you both.
Example: Your flight is delayed 8 hours due to a technical issue. The airline provides a hotel room and meal vouchers. You’re still owed:
- The hotel and meals (which they provided)
- PLUS €400-€600 in cash compensation (which you must claim)
Airlines intentionally conflate these obligations, hoping you’ll think the hotel “covers it.” It doesn’t.
3. What if the airline claims “extraordinary circumstances”—how do I prove they’re lying?
This is the single most abused loophole. Airlines claim “extraordinary circumstances” for delays they absolutely could have prevented.
How to investigate and prove they’re wrong:
Step 1: Get specific details. Demand exact documentation: “Please provide the official incident report, ATC notification, weather report, or technical log documenting the extraordinary circumstance you’re citing.”
Most airlines will refuse or provide vague responses. Their refusal itself weakens their case.
Step 2: Check independent sources
- Weather: FlightAware.com, FlightRadar24.com, and airport weather archives (METAR reports)
- Air Traffic Control: If they blame ATC, request the official ATC delay notification number
- Technical issues: Ask for the aircraft’s technical log entry and what component failed
Step 3: Understand what is and isn’t extraordinary
TRUE extraordinary circumstances:
- Severe weather making flying unsafe (hurricane, volcanic ash, extreme ice)
- Security threats (bomb threats, security breaches)
- Political instability (wars, embassy closures)
- Unexpected safety defects discovered across a fleet
NOT extraordinary circumstances:
- Normal technical problems (worn parts, routine maintenance needs)
- “Bird strike” (unless the bird actually damaged the aircraft, requiring repair)
- Crew scheduling problems
- Previous flight delays are creating a domino effect
- Computer system failures
- Fuel supply issues at airports
Step 4: Cite case law EU courts have repeatedly ruled that technical problems due to wear and tear are NOT extraordinary. Reference these cases in your appeal:
“The Court of Justice of the European Union established in Wallentin-Hermann v. Alitalia (Case C-549/07) that technical problems stemming from normal maintenance obligations do not constitute extraordinary circumstances.”
4. The airline offered me a voucher instead of cash—should I accept it?
No. Demand cash. This is another airline tactic to reduce their actual payout.
Here’s why vouchers are a trap:
They expire: Most airline vouchers expire within 12 months. If you don’t use it, you lose it.
They lock you in: You’re forced to fly that airline again, even if they just screwed you over.
They’re worth less: A €400 voucher is worth less than €400 cash because of restrictions on usage, blackout dates, and limited routes.
You’re legally entitled to cash: Under EU261 and most passenger protection regulations, compensation can be paid in cash, by electronic bank transfer, bank draft, or cheque. With the signed agreement of a passenger, they may also be paid in travel vouchers or other services.
The key phrase: “with the signed agreement of a passenger.” They need your permission. Don’t give it.
How to respond:
“I do not accept travel vouchers as compensation. Under [EU261/UK261], I am entitled to a cash payment via bank transfer. Please process my compensation in cash within 7 days.”
Exception: If the airline offers MORE in vouchers (like €600 cash vs. €800 voucher) AND you regularly fly that airline AND you’re confident you’ll use it before expiry, it might be worth considering. But for most people, cash is better.
5. Can I claim compensation if I booked through a third-party website like Expedia or Kayak?
Yes, but you claim directly from the airline, not the booking site.
This confuses many passengers. Here’s how it works:
Who owes you compensation: The operating airline (the one whose plane you actually flew on, or were supposed to fly on).
Who doesn’t owe you compensation: The booking website (Expedia, Kayak, Booking.com, Priceline, etc.)
The process:
- Identify the operating airline from your booking confirmation
- File your claim directly with that airline, not through the third-party website
- Reference your airline booking reference (PNR), which should be on your confirmation
- The airline may initially direct you back to the third party—push back
The response when airlines deflect:
“Under [EU261/UK261/DOT regulations], the operating air carrier is responsible for passenger compensation regardless of how the ticket was purchased. My booking agent [Expedia/etc] was merely the seller. The compensation obligation rests with [Airline Name] as the operating carrier. I expect payment within 14 days.”
Documentation tip: Your third-party booking confirmation contains your airline PNR/booking reference. That’s all you need to prove you were on that flight.
One exception: If your trip involved multiple airlines on a single booking and you missed a connection, compensation claims can get complex. In this case, claim against the airline operating the delayed flight that caused your missed connection.
Simple rule: Always claim from the airline whose plane was delayed, cancelled, or overbooked—not from whoever sold you the ticket.
FAQs
1. Can I still claim flight delay compensation if my flight happened months ago?
Yes. In many regions, including the EU and UK, passengers typically have up to 3–6 years (depending on the country) to file a flight delay compensation claim. The sooner you apply, the easier it is to gather boarding passes and delay proof.
2. How much flight delay compensation can I legally receive?
Under major air passenger protection laws such as EU261, compensation can reach up to $700 (€600) depending on the delay length and flight distance.
3. How do travel authorization requirements like ETIAS affect flight delay compensation eligibility and passenger rights?
This question connects the flight delay compensation topic with your ETIAS requirements 2026 article at
https://infovelly.com/stop-etias-requirements-2026-failures/
4. Do I need a lawyer to claim flight delay compensation?
No. Many travelers successfully file claims directly with the airline or through regulated claim platforms. Legal help is usually only necessary if an airline rejects a valid request.
5. How long does it take to receive flight delay compensation?
Some airlines process claims within a few weeks, but disputed cases can take 2–3 months or longer. Filing quickly and submitting accurate documents often speeds up the process.
6. Can airlines refuse to pay flight delay compensation?
Airlines may deny claims if the delay resulted from factors outside their control, such as air traffic restrictions or extreme weather. However, passengers can challenge unfair rejections through aviation authorities.
7. Is flight delay compensation available for international flights?
Yes — many international routes qualify, especially if the flight departs from the EU/UK or is operated by a European airline. Always check which passenger rights law applies to your journey.