- Under EU Regulation 261/2004, you may get €250–€600 compensation if you arrive 3+ hours late and the delay was within the airline's control.
- It applies to flights departing from the EU on any airline, and flights arriving in the EU on an EU airline.
- After a delay of 2+ hours (depending on distance), the airline must provide meals and refreshments; overnight, also a hotel.
- Keep boarding passes and receipts, and ask the airline for the reason for the delay in writing.
What to do first when your flight is delayed
- Check the airline app and airport screens for the new departure time and gate.
- Ask about your connection if you have one — the airline may rebook you automatically.
- Ask for meal vouchers if the delay is long enough (see below).
- Keep all documents: booking confirmation, boarding pass, receipts and any messages from the airline.
- Find somewhere comfortable to wait — especially if the delay is several hours.
Does EU261 apply to your flight?
| Flight | Covered by EU261? |
|---|---|
| Departing from an EU airport, any airline | Yes |
| Arriving in the EU on an EU airline | Yes |
| Arriving in the EU on a non-EU airline | No |
| Outside the EU on a non-EU airline | No |
The rules also apply in Iceland, Norway and Switzerland. The UK has its own equivalent rules (UK261).
How much compensation can you get?
If you reach your final destination three hours or more late, compensation depends on the flight distance:
| Flight distance | Compensation |
|---|---|
| Up to 1,500 km | €250 |
| Within the EU over 1,500 km, or 1,500–3,500 km | €400 |
| Over 3,500 km (outside the EU) | €600 |
Compensation can be reduced by 50% in some rerouting situations, and it is not payable when the delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances — for example severe weather, air traffic control restrictions or security risks.
Your right to care: meals, calls and hotels
Regardless of the cause of the delay, airlines must look after you once the delay reaches:
- 2 hours for flights up to 1,500 km
- 3 hours for flights within the EU over 1,500 km and other flights of 1,500–3,500 km
- 4 hours for longer flights
Care includes meals and refreshments appropriate to the waiting time, access to communication and — if you have to stay overnight — hotel accommodation and transport to it. If the delay reaches 5 hours, you can choose not to travel and get a refund.
How to claim compensation
- Ask the airline at the airport for the official reason for the delay.
- Note your actual arrival time (when the aircraft door opened).
- Submit a claim directly to the airline, usually through its website.
- If the airline refuses or does not reply, contact the national enforcement body in the country where the incident happened.
How to make a long delay more comfortable
If you face several hours of delay, a lounge can make a big difference: seating, food, drinks, Wi-Fi and charging, sometimes showers and quiet areas. Meal vouchers from the airline usually cover a basic meal in the terminal, while a lounge gives you a more comfortable place to wait for the full delay.
Check the lounge's maximum stay and whether it is open late enough if your flight is pushed into the evening.
Lounge facilities, opening hours, prices and access rules vary by location and can change. Always check the specific lounge before you travel.