If you’re visiting France’s second city and find yourself at Marseille Airport, things could go very smoothly. But then again, maybe not. This busy airport sees its share of delays and cancellations, impacting thousands of travellers.
When you run into an annoying disruption here, all is not lost. Thanks to Regulation EU261 and its mirror legislation in the UK, UK261, passengers can end up with up to €600 (£520) in compensation as well as other perks, like meals and hotels, while stuck waiting for a flight at Marseille Airport.
Claiming Marseille Airport compensation can be complicated, so why not trust AirAdvisor’s experts? Since 2017, we’ve helped over 450,000 happy clients hold airlines and airports accountable. We’ll do the work on your claim so that you don’t have to.
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Marseille Airport – Passenger Rights
With EU261, passengers can claim the following, depending on the circumstances:
- Compensation up to €600/£520
- Assistance in the form of meals, communication, hotel stays, and transport
- Flight refunds
Delays Exceeding 3 Hours
If a flight from Marseille Airport is delayed by at least 3 hours, EU261 is triggered. The amount of the payout will depend on the flight distance, the total delay length, and the cause of the Marseille Airport delay.
Flight Cancellations & Refunds
If a Marseille Airport flight is cancelled, EU261 also mandates compensation, which depends on the cancellation notification period. In addition, the total interruption time, flight distance, and root cause are factors.
First, when a Marseille Airport flight gets cancelled, passengers are entitled to a replacement flight or a refund, regardless of the cancellation timeframe or reason. Compensation is also possible when passengers are notified of the cancellation fewer than 14 days before the scheduled flight.
But not all re-routed flights are eligible. For example, the airline does not have to issue compensation under Regulation EU261 if:
- Cancellation notice is given between 7 and 14 days, and the replacement flight leaves no more than 2 hours before and arrives less than 4 hours after the original.
- Cancellation notice is less than 7 days, and the new flight departs no more than 1 hour before and lands less than 2 hours after the original.
Lost Luggage at Marseille Airport
When checking baggage at Marseille Airport, if it’s not returned within 21 days, it’s considered lost, and passengers can claim up to €1,860 (1,519 Special Drawing Rights or £1,580). This depends on the value of the items inside, and a claim must be filed within 7 days.
Passenger Rights in Case of Marseille Airport Flight Delays
Passengers are eligible for cash compensation when a Marseille Airport flight is delayed by at least 3 hours. And, while waiting at the airport, airlines are required to keep you comfortable, referred to as the right to care. You can get the following, based on the Marseille Airport wait time and flight distance:
Wait Time | Flight Distance | Right to Care |
2 hours or more | Under 1,500km | Refreshments + communication |
3 hours or more | Between 1,500km & 3,500km | Refreshments + communication |
4 hours or more | Over 3,500km | Refreshments + communication |
Overnight delay | N/A | Refreshments + communication; hotel stay + ground transport to/from hotel |
Marseille Airport Flight Delay Compensation
Getting an airline to pay out Marseille Airport delay compensation can be tricky. It’s crucial to keep all documents. Hold on to your boarding pass and get the reason for the delay in writing whenever possible.
Make sure you file your Marseille Airport flight delay compensation claim in time. In France, passengers have 5 years from the interruption to make a claim.
Delayed Flight Requirements for Compensation
- Your flight departs from Marseille Airport on any airline; or
- Your flight arrives at Marseille Airport on an EU or UK-based airline; and
- The flight is delayed by 3 hours+; and
- The airline is the cause of the delay
How Much Can You Claim for Marseille Airport Delays
It’s simple, the maximum compensation is based on the overall flight distance:
- Up to 1,500 km: €250/£220
- 1,500 km to 3,500 km: €400/£350
- Over 3,500 km: €600/£520*
*Note that for flights over 3,500km, if the delay is between 3 and 4 hours, airlines will attempt to reduce this to €300/£260. At AirAdvisor, we always go for the maximum amount.
The Marseille Airport EU261 Cancelled Flight Law
Like with delays, passengers can claim up to €600 (£520) for cancelled flights at Marseille Airport. As long as a passenger received less than 14 days' notice, the flight cancellation is directly caused by the airline, and if there’s a delay reaching the final destination, EU261 applies.
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Marseille Airport Cancelled Flight Compensation & Refund
Departing flights cancelled at Marseille Airport are leaving from an EU-based airport, so they all meet this requirement for EU261. For a flight arriving at Marseille Airport, it must either be with a UK or EU airline or originate in the UK or EU on another airline.
Cancelled Flight Requirements for Compensation
To claim up to the maximum of €600 (£520), a Marseille Airport cancelled flight must:
- Depart from the EU on any airline
- Arrive in the EU on an EU or UK airline
- Be cancelled with less than 14 days' notice
Can I Get a Refund for my Flight from Marseille Airport?
Yes, passengers can get a full refund or choose to re-book if a cancelled flight departs from Marseille Airport. Additionally, once a flight is delayed by 5 hours or more, passengers can choose not to continue travelling and get a refund.
Marseille Airport Cancelled Flight Compensation You Can Claim
The amount of Marseille Airport flight cancellation compensation that passengers can claim differs based on when the flight is cancelled. Other factors include the flight distance and the delay time of the replacement flight compared to the original one (EU261):
Flights Cancelled Within 7 to 14 Days
Flight Distance | Less than 2 hours | 2 – 3 hours | 3 – 4 hours | More than 4 hours |
1,500km or less | €125 | €250 | €250 | €250 |
1,500km to 3,500km | €200 | €200 | €400 | €400 |
Over 3,500km | €300 | €300 | €300 | €600 |
Flights Cancelled Within 7 days
Flight Distance | Delay @ Final Destination | Compensation |
1,500km or less | 2 hours + | €250 |
1,500km to 3,500km | 3 hours + | €400 |
Over 3,500km | Less than 4 hours | €300 |
Over 3,500km | 4 hours + | €600 |
Delayed, Lost, or Damaged Baggage at Marseille Airport
Not only do passengers have protection for flight interruptions, but lost, damaged, or delayed baggage may also entitle passengers to compensation up to approximately €1,860 (1,519 SDR).
- A bag is considered lost if it’s been delayed for at least 21 days
- File a claim within 7 days of the delay, damage, or once it’s declared lost
- Prove the value of the luggage contents with receipts
- For delayed baggage, airlines will cover the bare essentials
- Prove damage with photos
Marseille Airport Delays & Cancellations: Top Reasons
Common Marseille Airport disruption reasons include strikes by both nationwide and by groups like Air Traffic Controllers, as well as technical issues.
Air Traffic Control Restrictions at Marseille Airport
ATC is an absolutely crucial service at any airport, so when there are restrictions, planes get backed up, causing cascading delays and potential cancellations.
Airline Operational Issues
Airlines also contribute to delays and cancellations at Marseille Airport. This could be due to poor scheduling of crew ot aircraft, airline-specific strikes, or technical problems with an airline’s check-in system.
Recently, on April 28, 2025, parts of the Iberian Peninsula, Portugal, and France were plunged into darkness due to a major power outage. Air France, which operates many flights in this area (and serves Marseille Airport extensively), dealt with many delays as all airports tried to keep planes moving.
Strikes at Marseille Airport
It’s safe to say that the French are known for their strikes. Whether it’s Air Traffic Control, baggage handlers, or security, any type of strike action will always negatively impact on-time arrivals and lead to cancellations.
In December 2024, strike action across France disrupted flights at Marseille Airport. In fact, it was the worst hit, with a total of 50% of flights cancelled during a 6-hour window.
Delays / Cancellations due to Bad Weather Conditions at Marseille Airport
Due to its Mediterranean climate, Marseille Airport doesn’t have much trouble with weather-related disruptions. Though high winds and storms can impact flights here.
Other Incidents at Marseille Airport
Although less common, passengers may also experience disruptions due to security threats, runway closures, or technical problems within the airport.
Marseille Airport interruptions can either be due to extraordinary circumstances, which are outside the airline’s control, or something caused by the airline. When extraordinary circumstances, like airport strikes and poor weather, are the cause, EU261 compensation is not payable.
Top 5 Airlines Affected by Delays & Cancellations at Marseille Airport
Any flight to Marseille Airport on any airline can indeed be delayed or cancelled, but these carriers are the most likely culprits:
Claim Marseille Airport Flight Compensation With AirAdvisor
When you’ve experienced an annoying cancellation or delay, it’s easy to file a claim with AirAdvisor. In fact, it takes less than 5 minutes. Here’s how to proceed:
- Gather your documents: This includes boarding passes, any airline or airport written correspondence, and proof of the interruption.
- Submit the claim: File a claim online here. Enter the details of your flight and add your contact details. Then, attach your supporting documents and submit.
- Sit back and relax: We’ll process everything for you and communicate back and forth with the airline. Claims are typically resolved successfully in 4-6 weeks.
File your Marseille Airport compensation claim ASAP to get what you’re owed. Don’t risk forgetting to make the claim or losing important details and documents!
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Marseille Airport Questions and Answers
Airport Compensation
What is airport compensation for flight disruptions?
When a flight from Marseille Airport is delayed or cancelled, airlines are required to issue compensation up to €600/£520, subject to certain criteria.
When am I eligible for Marseille Airport compensation after a delay or cancellation?
Passengers can claim a max of €600/£520 for departing Marseille Airport flights that are delayed at least 3 hours or are cancelled with fewer than 14 days’ notice.
How much compensation can I claim for a flight disruption at Marseille Airport?
Compensation ranges from €250/£220 for short-haul flights to €600/£520 for long-haul flights.
How do I claim flight compensation if my flight was delayed or cancelled at Marseille Airport?
Go to AirAdvisor, fill out the details of the incident and your contact info, attach supporting docs, and click submit.
Does it matter which airline I was flying with when claiming compensation?
Yes and no. All flights departing from Marseille Airport, regardless of the airline, are eligible for EU261 compensation. But, flights arriving at Marseille Airport must be with a UK or EU-based airline to qualify.
Can I get compensation for missed connecting flights due to delays at the airport?
Yes. As long as the airline is responsible for the initial delay, passengers departing from the EU or UK can claim up to €600 (£520) in missed connection compensation for delays at the final destination of 3 hours or more.
How long do I have to claim compensation for a disrupted flight from Marseille Airport?
In France, you have 5 years from the disruption date.
What documents do I need to claim Marseille Airport compensation?
Keep your boarding pass, flight details, and any airport or airline correspondence proving the interruption. Ideally, take a photo of the departure board displaying the delay or cancellation.
Airport Delays
What should I do if my flight is delayed at Marseille Airport?
Don’t panic. Request refreshments and accommodations from the airline, where applicable. Gather your documents to make a compensation claim once the trip is complete.
How long does a flight need to be delayed before I am entitled to compensation?
Marseille Airport flights that are delayed by at least 3 hours could be eligible for EU 261 compensation.
What assistance am I entitled to during a flight delay at the airport?
Food and drinks plus access to communication must be provided by the airline starting at 2 hours for short-haul flights, 3 hours for medium-haul flights, and 4 hours for long-haul flights. Delayed overnight? The airline must offer a hotel and transport to/from the accommodations.
Can I claim both assistance (food, hotel) and monetary compensation for a delay?
Absolutely, claiming one does not negate the eligibility for the other. Just don’t accept other forms of compensation like travel vouchers.
Are weather-related delays eligible for compensation?
No, weather is considered an extraordinary circumstance and is not eligible for Marseille Airport compensation under EU 261.
Airport Cancellations
What should I do if my flight is cancelled at Marseille Airport?
Re-book on the next available flight right away and prepare to claim between €125 (£110) and €600 (£520) from the airline.
Am I entitled to compensation if my flight is cancelled?
Yes, provided the airline notified you of the cancellation fewer than 14 days before the scheduled departure and the airline is at fault.
What happens if the airline offers me a replacement flight after cancellation?
If it’s suitable to you, you should accept it to continue your journey. If not, ask for a full refund.
Can I choose a refund instead of rebooking after a cancelled flight?
Yes, the airline should give you that option.
Is compensation different if I was informed of the cancellation in advance?
Yes, compensation varies based on the notice period. When the airline advises you of a cancellation more than 14 days ahead of time, no compensation is possible. Between 7 and 14 days, it ranges from €125/£110 and €600/£520, and less than 7 days, between €250/£220 and €600/£520.
Does a cancellation due to extraordinary circumstances still qualify for compensation?
No, extraordinary circumstances are like a get-out-of-jail-free card for airlines. Although you generally can’t claim EU261 compensation, you still have the right to care while you wait for another flight.
Other Flight Disruptions at Marseille Airport
What counts as an "airport disruption"?
For compensation purposes, an airport disruption is anything that prevents your flight from operating as normal. For Marseille Airport EU261 compensation to apply, the cause of the disruption must be directly linked to the airline.
What are my rights during airport disruptions such as strikes or technical failures?
Passengers are entitled to care during delays. The threshold wait time depends on the flight distance, starting at 2 hours. Care includes meals and phone calls, and can extend to hotel stays and transport for overnight delays. Also, if the airline is at fault for the strike or technical issue, claim up to €600 (£520).
Who is responsible for compensating passengers during airport disruptions – the airline or the airport?
Regulation EU261 puts the onus on the airline to compensate disrupted passengers.
Can I get compensation for delays caused by airport staff strikes?
Generally, no, other than the right to care, such as drinks, meals, and accommodations. Since the airline has no control over the airport staff, it’s considered an extraordinary circumstance, which is an exception to EU261 compensation.
What if an airport security issue caused my flight to be delayed or cancelled?
The airline will re-book you on another flight at no charge if the flight is cancelled, and if you’re stuck at Marseille Airport for between 2 to 4 hours (or more), you are entitled to care and assistance.
How can I check if I'm eligible for compensation after a disruption at Marseille Airport?
Head to the AirAdvisor homepage and click on “Check Compensation” after entering your flight details.
Flight Compensation Calculator:
Check if you are entitled to flight delay compensation in just 3 minutes.
