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How to Claim Flight Delay Compensation (EU261 & UK261)

EU261 and UK261 rules can pay you up to €600 when flights are delayed three hours or more – here’s when you qualify and how to claim.

Presented by Sienna · researched by the Roaminger team · updated September 2026

7.5/10

Free is worth the effort; services earn their fee when airlines resist

Claim direct first, escalate if stonewalled

Filing your own EU261 claim costs nothing and works when the airline plays fair. If they deny a valid claim or ignore you for weeks, a service like AirHelp will chase them down for a percentage. Start DIY, escalate if needed.

Check your eligibility →

At a glance

OptionVerdictFrom

AAirHelp Best serviceTakes 25 % + VAT but chases airlines hard~25 % feeCheck claim →

DClaim direct (airline website) No feeFree; requires your own paperwork and patienceFreeNo commission

FFlight-Right Competitor service; no Roaminger partnership~20–30 %No commission

NNational enforcement body Free official route; slow and no legal muscleFreeNo commission

Why some rows earn us nothing. We have one commercial link (AirHelp). The other three rows are genuine no-fee alternatives: claiming direct from the airline, using a competitor we don’t partner with, and filing with your country’s aviation authority. All are valid; direct filing costs nothing but demands persistence.

Compensation amounts and service fees checked September 2026; always confirm current terms before filing.

How it works

Step 1Check if your flight qualifiesEU261 and UK261 cover flights departing the EU or UK on any airline, or arriving in the EU/UK on an EU/UK carrier. The delay at final destination must be three hours or longer, and the airline must be at fault. Extraordinary circumstances—severe weather, security threats, ATC strikes—let the airline off. Check your booking confirmation and arrival time.

Step 2Gather your evidenceYou need your booking reference, boarding passes, and proof of the actual arrival time—a photo of the airport board or the airline app screenshot works. If the airline provided meals or a hotel, keep those receipts; they prove the delay. Write down what the gate agent or pilot said about the cause, if you remember.

Step 3File your claim (direct or via service)For a DIY claim, find the airline’s EU261 form on their website, fill it out, and attach your documents. Set a reminder to follow up in 30 days. If you prefer to outsource, enter your flight details into a compensation service; they check eligibility, handle the claim, and take a cut only if they win. Most offer no-win-no-fee terms.

The picks, in short

AirHelp

Service

★★★★☆

Handles the entire claim and any legal pushbackNo upfront cost; fee only on successTracks cases in an online dashboard25 % + VAT fee cuts into your payoutClaims can still take months if the airline fights

Check eligibility →

Direct airline claim

DIY

★★★★☆

Zero fees; you keep the full compensationFaster when the airline admits fault quicklySimple online forms on most carrier sitesYou do all the admin and follow-upAirlines may deny or ignore valid claims

No commission

National enforcement body

Official

★★★☆☆

Free official route with regulatory backingAirline must respond to the authorityVery slow—often six months or moreBody can’t force payment; you may still need small-claims court

No commission

Frequently asked

How much compensation will I get?

EU261 and UK261 set fixed amounts by distance: €250 for flights under 1,500 km, €400 for intra-EU flights over 1,500 km or other flights 1,500–3,500 km, and €600 for flights over 3,500 km. The delay must be at least three hours at your final destination.

What if the airline blames weather or air-traffic control?

Severe weather and ATC strikes are extraordinary circumstances, so the airline does not owe compensation. But if the delay grew because the airline had no spare crew or aircraft, that part is their fault. Ask the airline to prove the cause in writing; compensation services will challenge weak excuses.

How long do I have to file a claim?

Time limits vary by country—typically two to six years from the flight date. UK law allows six years; many EU states give two or three. Check your local statute of limitations. Claim soon; evidence gets harder to gather over time and airlines are slower to respond to old cases.

Free comparison

See all claim routes side by side

Our full comparison table shows DIY steps, service fees, and success rates so you can choose the route that fits your patience and the airline’s attitude.

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