Flight Cancellation Compensation Guide on How to Claim up to €600

Lots of dream holidays and business trips were ruined because of flight cancellations. Stress and frustration are the synonyms for airline cancellations. AirAdvisor knows what you should do. 

Regardless of your citizenship and residency, you can claim flight cancellation compensation of up to €600 (£510) according to EU law cancelled flights. We, at AirAdvisor, can help you with it. We can claim for cancelled flight on your behalf, free of charge. 

Find out about your flight cancellation rights, how much EU flight compensation you can get, how to claim compensation for cancelled flight and much more. You will find answers to all your questions regarding compensation for cancelled flight EU. 

Flight cancellation compensation: when can I claim for cancelled flight?

According to EU travel compensation rules, you are eligible for flight cancellation compensation only if:

• you were notified about flight cancellation less than 14 days before the departure
• your cancelled flight is operated by an EU airline, or it was supposed to depart from EU airport 
• your flight was cancelled due to the airline’s fault (technical problems, conflicting schedules, cabin crew strikes, etc.)
• you made a booking reservation and can prove it
• you applied for compensation within the deadline

In less than 3 minutes, you can find out if your flight qualifies with the AirAdvisor EU flight cancellation compensation calculator. 

EU flight cancellation compensation: what flight cancellations are covered?

You can claim your flight cancellation rights only if a few criteria are met. Regardless of your citizenship and residency, you are entitled to compensation for flight cancellations only if:

• your flight is operated by an EU airline, or
• it was supposed to depart from an EU airport

Besides the regular 27 members of the European Union, European Parliament has included Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and 9 remote regions. 

You can check if your flight is covered by EU law cancelled flight in the following table:

When am I not entitled to claim compensation for cancelled flight?

EU Regulation also indicates the situations when you do not have flight cancellation rights for compensation. Under EU law cancelled flights, air passenger is not eligible for compensation if:

• flight was cancelled due to the extraordinary circumstances (adverse weather conditions, air traffic control strikes, airport staff strikes, civil unrest, terrorism, and others)
• airline notified about airline cancellations 14 days before departure
• flight ticket was booked at a discount rate (unavailable to the general public) or was given to the passenger gratis (ex., pilots and hostesses travel free of charge)

Disrupted flight? You might have a right to compensation - up to €600 (£510)Check Your Flight

What are my flight cancellation rights?

Under Regulation 261/2004, you have different EU cancellation rights. 

You may be eligible for compensation in most cases. You may claim airline compensation for cancelled flights if the airline informed you about the cancellation less than 14 days before the departure date. 

Regardless of cancellation notice timing, you always have the right to either of the following:

• full flight ticket refund and return flights to the original point of departure (if necessary), or
• replacement flight that will bring you to the final destination (the earliest possible or at a later date)

In case of flight cancellations, while in the airport, the airline also must:

• inform you about the cancellation and your rights for assistance and compensation (in written form at its check-in counter), and if
• provide you with two free telephone calls, emails or faxes, and complimentary meals and refreshments in light of waiting in the airport:

  Travel Distance of Your Flight	all flights, less than 1,500km	all internal EU flights, more than 1,500km	all non-internal EU flights, 1,500-3,500km	all non-internal EU flights, more than 3,500km
  Your Waiting Time in the Airport	2 or more hours	3 or more hours	3 or more hours	4 or more hours

• offer you a hotel room and transportation free of charge, if overnight stay is required

If your new alternative flight was upgraded to a higher class, the airline cannot request additional payment. If it was downgraded to a lower class, you are entitled to a refund between 30-70% of the original ticket price. 

Sometimes airlines do not provide you with additional benefits. Then, if eligible, you also have the right to claim flight cancellation reimbursement EU for meals, hotel, taxi, etc. 

But remember that you will need to provide some proof. Keep onto the receipts associated with those expenses. 

Find out if you are owed compensation for a disrupted flightCheck Your Flight

EU law cancelled flights: how much compensation can I get?

You may get between €125 and €600 (£100 - 510) of flight cancellation compensation. 

The exact amount of compensation depends on:

• timing of the notice provided by the airline
• flight travel distance
• if your flight is within or outside the EU 
• if you were offered an alternative flight and if you accepted to use it

Check how much compensation for cancelled flight EU you can get based on different scenarios:

Learn more about your rights for passenger compensation for cancelled flights and be prepared for any unexpected situation.

EU flight compensation: how to claim for cancelled flight? 

Here is the basic guideline on how to get compensation for a cancelled flight:

1. Ask crew members for the flight cancellations reason (get some written proof of cancellation)
2. Keep all your travel documents (boarding pass, booking reservation, etc.)
3. Gather proof of airline cancellations (ex., make a photo of the departure timetable) 
4. Ask for: 
   • ticket refund, or 
   • alternative flight (note down the actual arrival time to the destination, ask for complimentary meals and refreshments if delayed more than 2 hours, ask for the hotel room and transportation if delayed till the next day)
5. Keep all receipts if you incur additional expenses due to the cancelled flight: for meals and water and, in some cases, for hotel, taxi, etc. 
6. Be careful when accepting travel vouchers - you may give up your right to cash EU travel compensation (keep in mind that the most vouchers include a waiver to compensation) 

How can AirAdvisor help you to get your compensation for cancelled flight EU?

Getting your compensation for cancelled flights in Europe is a stressful and tiring process. We, the AirAdvisor team, know how to simplify your life. We know how to claim for cancelled flight and can get your compensation. 

What is so special about AirAdvisor?

• we know European Law flight cancellation inside out
• we’ve helped more than 100,000 air passengers from 68 countries
• we can help with any flight disruption you might be facing: denied boarding, delay or cancellation
• we’ll handle all the process for you, so you don’t have to stress out yourself
• we’ll update you along the process
• we’ll not ask for your money; it’s entirely risk-free for you

Without leaving home, fill in your flight details on our website. We will get your flight cancellation compensation. Zero stress and entirely free of charge. 

FAQ: more to know about your flight cancellation compensation

What are my flight cancellation rights UK?

Your flight cancellation rights for compensation are not affected by Brexit. European Union airline passenger rights were included in the UK law as part of the transition. 

This means that you may still claim compensation for cancelled flight EU if your flight cancellations qualify. 

How to claim compensation for cancelled flights?

You can decide on how to claim for cancelled flight. There are 3 alternatives:

1. Ask the AirAdvisor team to handle all the process: from contacting the airline to defending your rights in court. Our service is free of charge - we only earn a commission when we get your EU flight compensation
2. Contact airline directly and claim your flight cancellation rights yourself
3. Hire a lawyer. But, this way, you will not avoid large cash losses

If you choose to involve AirAdvisor, you can use our flight cancellation compensation tool. In less than 3 minutes, you will pass your case to us: we will take charge of the process, informing you about the progress along the way. 

Can you get compensation for a cancelled flight due to technical problems or bad weather?

Yes, you may claim compensation for cancelled flights due to technical issues or bad weather.

Most technical problems are considered to be within the airline’s control. So, the airline is responsible for flight cancellations in this case. The only exception is the hidden manufacturing defect. It is considered to be one of the extraordinary circumstances. 

Extraordinary circumstances are the events that the airline could not prevent, so it cannot be held responsible for airline cancellations. 

Bad weather is viewed as something out of the airline’s control. And, many airlines use it as a defence to avoid recompensing air passengers. 

However, if bad weather was anticipated, and other air carriers could prepare for it, your airline cannot use it as an excuse. Thus, it will be obliged to pay flight cancellation compensation. 

How much does it cost to claim for cancelled flight with AirAdvisor?

It is entirely free to get your airline passenger compensation with AirAdvisor. We only take a commission that is deducted from the obtained compensation. 

When am I entitled to EU flight delay compensation?

According to EU Directive flight delay, you may have EU passenger rights flight delay for compensation only if:

• your flight arrives late at the final destination with a delay of over 3 hours 
• delayed flight was an airline’s fault
• your flight departed from the EU or was operated by an EU airline 

Check if your flight is eligible with the AirAdvisor EU flight delay compensation calculator. Airline obligations for delayed flights include payment of compensation of up to €600 (£510).

There are situations when a flight delayed then cancelled. You may be entitled to compensation after flight cancellation if your flight qualifies. 

I have connecting flights - can I get compensation for my entire trip?

Yes. First of all, your trip shall satisfy the following criteria: 

• all flights shall be within one booking, not bought separately
• cancelled flight shall be covered by EC261

If your flight cancellations meet the above flight conditions Europe, the air carrier operating the flight shall compensate you. 

Moreover, this airline will be obliged to compensate:

• all connecting flights coming before cancelled flight only if operated by this same airline, and
• all connecting flights coming after cancelled flight even if operated by different airlines

Check if your case is eligible for compensation of up to 600 euro cancelled flight with connecting flights. 

How can you claim for cancelled flights?

Firstly, check if your flight is covered by EU law cancelled flights. Usually, you may get compensation for cancelled flight EU if:

• your flight was supposed to depart from the EU or is operated by an EU airline
• you are informed about flight cancellations less than 2 weeks before the departure

Secondly, get in touch with the airline directly to claim for cancelled flight. Otherwise, fill in your flight details on our AirAdvisor website. Our professional team will get your EU flight cancellation compensation for you free of charge. 

What are my other flight cancellation rights?

Besides EU flight compensation, you have many other rights under EU law cancelled flights. For all flight cancellations you have the right to ask for:

• flight refund and return flight back home, or
• alternative flight to your final destination

Airlines shall also:

• inform you about your rights for compensation and other benefits
• provide you with communication means (phone calls, emails, etc.)
• offer you complimentary meals, hotel and transport (if applicable)
• reimburse you for extra expenses (if entitled)

Flight cancellations: does my flight qualify for compensation? 

In most cases, yes. EU law cancelled flights are usually eligible for EU flight compensation, while flight cancellations in Brazil are covered by ANAC 400.

You may claim for cancelled flight if:

• airline cancels your flight less than 2 weeks before the departure date
• your flight was supposed to depart from EU airport or is operated by an EU airline
• your flight was cancelled due to the airline’s fault

What is the deadline to file a EU law cancelled flight claim?

There is a specific time limit when you can claim compensation for cancelled flights. 

It depends on the country of the main office of the airline which operates the disrupted flight. Each country has its own deadline, but usually, it is 3 years.

Do not miss the opportunity to get your flight cancellation compensation. Get in touch with our team. We will enforce your flight cancellation rights on your behalf free of charge. 

Figuring out how much you are owed for a disrupted flight can be complicated. We're here to help. Let us assess your compensation for you.Check Your Flight