Law & Finance

Air Passenger Rights: Compensation for Delays, Cancellations & Overbooking

Was your flight delayed, cancelled or were you denied boarding? Under EU law, you are entitled to compensation. Here you will find everything you need to know.

Reading time: approx. 10 minutes · By the HolidayGenie editorial team · Updated:

How much compensation do I get for a delayed or cancelled flight?

Under EU Regulation 261/2004 you are entitled to €250, €400 or €600 per person depending on the flight distance – regardless of the ticket price. The conditions are an arrival delay of 3 hours or more, a short-notice cancellation or denied boarding, and the airline must not be able to invoke extraordinary circumstances. In Germany, claims expire 3 years after the end of the year in which the flight took place.

What does EU Air Passenger Rights Regulation 261/2004 cover?

Since 2005, EU Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 has protected air passengers in cases of delays, cancellations and denied boarding. It applies to all flights departing from the EU – regardless of the airline – as well as flights into the EU operated by a European carrier.

This means: whether it's Ryanair, Lufthansa or Emirates – if your flight departs from Frankfurt, Mallorca or Athens, the regulation applies. The passenger's nationality is irrelevant.

How much compensation are you entitled to?

The amount of compensation is based solely on the flight distance – not on the ticket price. Even if you paid just 29 euros for your ticket, you could receive 250 €.

Flight distanceCompensationExample
Short-haul (< 1,500 km)€250Berlin – Mallorca
Medium-haul (1,500–3,500 km)€400Frankfurt – Istanbul
Long-haul (> 3,500 km)€600Munich – New York

For a family of four on a long-haul flight, that's up to €2,400. Claims exist per person, including children with their own ticket.

Flug verspätet, ausgefallen oder überbucht?

Nach EU-Recht steht dir bei Flugproblemen eine Entschädigung von 250–600 € pro Person zu.* Flightright prüft deinen Anspruch kostenlos und übernimmt den gesamten Prozess – du zahlst nur im Erfolgsfall.

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*Entschädigung abzgl. Erfolgsprovision (i. d. R. 20–30 % zzgl. MwSt.). Bei Gerichtsverfahren kann ein anwaltlicher Zuschlag von 14 % anfallen. | Affiliate-Link – bei erfolgreicher Vermittlung erhalten wir eine Provision.

When are you entitled to compensation?

You are entitled to a compensation payment in these cases:

  • Flight delay of 3+ hours: Your flight arrives more than 3 hours late at the destination. The relevant time is the arrival time (when the aircraft door opens), not the departure time.
  • Flight cancellation: The airline cancelled your flight and informed you less than 14 days in advance. The shorter the notice period, the clearer the claim.
  • Overbooking (denied boarding): You were denied boarding despite having a valid ticket and having checked in on time. Airlines regularly sell more tickets than seats available.
  • Missed connecting flight: Due to a delay on your feeder flight, you missed your connection and arrive more than 3 hours late. Important: Both flights must be on the same booking.

When does the airline not have to pay compensation?

The airline can invoke 'extraordinary circumstances' if the cause was beyond its control. These include:

  • Extreme weather (storms, thunderstorms, volcanic ash)
  • Air traffic control or airport staff strikes
  • Political instability or airspace closures
  • Security risks and terror alerts
  • Bird strikes (in many cases)

The following are not considered extraordinary circumstances:

  • Airline staff strikes – compensation claims often apply here
  • Technical defects – are considered the airline's responsibility
  • Staff shortages – an organisational risk of the airline

Tip: Even in 'extraordinary circumstances', the airline has duty of care obligations: free meals, hotel accommodation for overnight delays, and re-routing.

How long can I make a claim?

In Germany, there is a limitation period of 3 years, calculated to the end of the year. A flight issue from March 2024 therefore only expires on 31 December 2027.

This means: even if your last flight was a while ago – check whether you still have claims. Many passengers leave thousands of euros on the table because they don't know their rights.

Tip: Collect boarding passes, booking confirmations and screenshots of display boards. The better your documentation, the easier the enforcement.

What care am I entitled to at the airport?

Regardless of compensation, you are entitled to immediate care services during waiting times at the airport:

  • After 2 hours waiting: Free snacks, refreshments and 2 phone calls/emails
  • Overnight delay: Hotel accommodation including transfer
  • After 5 hours waiting: Right to withdraw from the flight with full ticket refund

If the airline refuses these services, pay yourself and keep the receipts – you can claim the costs back later.

Should I claim compensation myself or use a claims service?

You can claim your compensation directly from the airline – often via an online form on the airline's website. However, airlines regularly reject claims or simply don't respond, hoping that passengers will give up.

Specialised air passenger rights portals handle the entire process for you: from the initial assessment to communication with the airline to legal enforcement. You only pay a commission on success (typically 20–30% plus VAT). In court proceedings, an additional legal surcharge of 14% may apply.

The advantage: No cost risk for you. If nothing is enforced, you pay nothing. If it is enforced, you receive the majority of the compensation.

Flug verspätet, ausgefallen oder überbucht?

Nach EU-Recht steht dir bei Flugproblemen eine Entschädigung von 250–600 € pro Person zu.* Flightright prüft deinen Anspruch kostenlos und übernimmt den gesamten Prozess – du zahlst nur im Erfolgsfall.

99 % Erfolgsquote vor GerichtKostenlose ErstprüfungAnsprüche bis 3 Jahre rückwirkend
Jetzt Anspruch prüfen

*Entschädigung abzgl. Erfolgsprovision (i. d. R. 20–30 % zzgl. MwSt.). Bei Gerichtsverfahren kann ein anwaltlicher Zuschlag von 14 % anfallen. | Affiliate-Link – bei erfolgreicher Vermittlung erhalten wir eine Provision.

How do I claim my compensation step by step?

  1. Document everything: Photos of the display board, screenshots of the delay notification in the app, keep your boarding pass
  2. Claim care services: Ask at the airline counter for meal vouchers and hotel if needed
  3. Request written confirmation: Have the reason for the delay/cancellation confirmed in writing
  4. Check your claim: Use an online check – within minutes you'll know if you're owed money
  5. Watch the deadline: You have up to 3 years, but the sooner you act, the better

Frequently asked questions

Does the regulation apply in case of a strike?

It depends on who is striking. In the case of an airline staff strike (pilots, cabin crew), you generally have a right to compensation. If air traffic control or airport staff strike, it constitutes an 'extraordinary circumstance' – compensation is not payable, but you are still entitled to care services.

Do I also get money for my budget flight?

Yes. Compensation is independent of the ticket price. Even for a 19 euro flight, you receive the full flat rate of 250, 400 or 600 € – depending on the flight distance.

What about package holidays?

The EU regulation also applies to package holidays. Your claim is against the operating airline, not the tour operator. Additionally, you can claim a travel price reduction from the operator.

Does the regulation apply to flights outside the EU?

The regulation applies to all flights departing from the EU (regardless of the airline) and to flights arriving in the EU if the airline is based in the EU. A flight from New York to Frankfurt with Lufthansa is therefore covered, but not with United Airlines.

Are children also entitled?

Yes, provided they have their own ticket (not a pure 'Infant on Lap' ticket). Every person with their own seat has the full compensation entitlement.

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