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A delayed flight can quickly turn a pleasant trip into a real source of stress. Missed connections, unexpected hotel stays, lost workdays, extra expenses… The consequences are often far greater than you might imagine.
However, what many travellers don’t know is that they can claim compensation for delayed flights of up to €600 per passenger. Every year, millions of euros in compensation for delayed flights go unclaimed. This is either because passengers are unaware of their rights or because they mistakenly believe they are not eligible.
If your flight arrived three hours late or more, you may be affected. And checking your status only takes a few seconds.
Check in seconds what the company owes you with our form.
Before getting into the legal details, the simplest thing to do is to immediately check if you are entitled to compensation for a delayed flight.
To do this, simply indicate:
- The departure airport
- The arrival airport
In just a few moments, you will know:
- If you are eligible for compensation
- The exact amount you can claim (€250, €400 or €600)
- The steps to follow to obtain your compensation
European regulations strongly protect air passengers, but every situation is different. Rather than trying to interpret the rules yourself, a quick check will give you a clear and personalized answer.
In what cases can the company refuse compensation?
Even though the law strictly regulates passenger rights, not all situations automatically entitle passengers to compensation for delayed flights. The airline may refuse to pay compensation if the delay is due to what are known as extraordinary circumstances.
This may include:
- Extreme weather conditions (storm, heavy fog, exceptional snow)
- An air traffic controllers’ strike
- Political instability or a security risk
- The unexpected closure of the airspace
In these specific cases, the company is generally not required to pay financial compensation.
However, some of the reasons given are often questionable. For example:
- A common technical problem
- A delayed rotation of an apparatus
- An internal strike by company staff
These situations are not always considered extraordinary circumstances. That’s why it’s important to check your eligibility, even if the airline has already told you that you’re not entitled to anything. Many travelers discover, after checking, that they can still claim compensation for a delayed flight.
How long do you have to claim compensation?
Another essential piece of information: you are not obliged to act immediately.
The time limit for claiming compensation for a delayed flight depends on the country where you file your claim. In some cases, you may have up to five years to submit your claim. This means that even if your flight was several months—or even years—older, you could still receive compensation.
Many passengers think it’s “too late” and give up. However, as long as the legal deadline hasn’t passed, your rights remain valid. Therefore, it’s strongly recommended that you check your previous flights if you’ve already experienced a significant delay.
Conclusion: Knowing your rights changes everything!
As you now understand, a significant delay isn’t just an inconvenience; it can entitle you to compensation for a substantial flight delay. Yet, many passengers give up without even checking their eligibility.
In a context where flight delays remain frequent, knowing your rights is a real advantage for travelling more peacefully. Today, a few simple details are all it takes to find out if you are entitled to compensation for a delayed flight.
Before your next trip — or even for a past flight — taking the time to check your situation can make all the difference.