AirHelp alternative in Spain: real options and fees
Reviewed by José Romero Lara
EU261 aviation lawyer — 5+ years as in-house legal counsel at international airlines
If AirHelp has already quoted you a number — 35% commission, VAT included — and you’re checking whether there’s something cheaper before you sign, this guide compares the real options in Spain: other claim companies, with their published fees and VAT applied, and claiming it yourself, which carries more weight since 2023 than it used to.
Did AirHelp quote you 35%?
Check for free what you’re owed before signing with anyone.
Check my compensation1Why people look for an AirHelp alternative
AirHelp is an international flight claim platform. Its published standard fee is 35% of the compensation, VAT already included, and if the case goes to court it adds another 15%, also VAT included, up to 50% of the total. Regulation (EC) 261/2004 fixes compensation at €250, €400 or €600 depending on flight distance; the company you choose doesn’t change what the airline owes you, only how much of it reaches your pocket.
EU261 compensation by distance
Up to 1,500 km
Madrid–Barcelona, Madrid–Lisboa
1,500–3,500 km
Madrid–Tenerife, Barcelona–Atenas
Over 3,500 km
Madrid–Nueva York, Madrid–Bogotá
Most claim companies, AviFly included, charge nothing if they don’t win the compensation. What varies between them is the percentage they keep when they do, and whether that percentage already includes VAT or is added afterwards.
2The distinction almost nobody explains: VAT
A "15% + VAT" fee is not the same as "15% VAT included": in the first, VAT is calculated on the fee and added on top; in the second, it’s already netted out of the percentage you see. Example on €400 of compensation with a 15% + VAT fee: the base fee is €60, VAT (21%) is €12.60, and €72.60 is deducted in total.
Compare the final percentage, not the headline one
Before signing, ask in writing for the total percentage deducted with VAT already applied, and what happens to it if the case goes to court.
3The real options for claiming in Spain
Here are the alternatives available, with the fee each publishes on its own website and what you’d keep from €600 of compensation:
| Option | Out of court | In court | You keep from €600 |
|---|---|---|---|
| AviFly | 15% + IVA | 30% + IVA | €491.10 |
| Reclamador | 25% + IVA | +15% + IVA | €418.50 |
| AirAdvisor | 30% IVA incluido | 50% con abogados externos | €420 |
| Flightright | 20–30% + IVA | Según el caso | €382.20–€454.80 |
| AirHelp | 35% IVA incluido | +15% IVA incluido (hasta 50%) | €390 |
| Reclamar tú mismo / AESA | 0% | 0% | €600 |
4How much you keep by amount
| Compensation | AviFly | AirHelp | Yourself / AESA |
|---|---|---|---|
| €250 | €204.62 | €162.50 | €250 |
| €400 | €327.40 | €260 | €400 |
| €600 | €491.10 | €390 | €600 |
On €600 of compensation the gap between AviFly and AirHelp is €101.10; on €400, €67.40; on €250, €42.12.
The gap isn’t the same with every company
Against AirHelp (35%) the gap is large. Against Reclamador (30.25% with VAT applied) or AirAdvisor (30%) there’s still a gap, but a much smaller one: always compare the final percentage of each before deciding.
5The option people forget: claiming for free through AESA
Claiming it yourself costs nothing and you keep 100% of the compensation. Until 2023 this route had a weak point: if the airline ignored you, AESA only issued a report that couldn’t force it to pay. That’s no longer true.
- 1
Claim from the airline in writing
With the flight number and date, what happened and the amount you’re claiming. Keep a copy.
- 2
Wait one month
If it doesn’t reply, or its reply doesn’t satisfy you, you can go to AESA.
- 3
File the complaint with AESA
At seguridadaerea.gob.es, within one year of your first claim to the airline.
- 4
AESA rules in 90 to 180 days
Since 2 June 2023 its decision is binding on the airline (Order TMA/469/2023).
- 5
If it doesn’t pay in a month, it’s enforced in court
Before the juzgado de primera instancia, no lawyer or court agent needed up to €2,000, with no need for a fresh lawsuit.
AESA doesn’t handle baggage
Baggage claims fall under the Montreal Convention, not AESA: claim from the airline and, if it doesn’t pay, go to consumer arbitration or court.
6Can you switch from AirHelp to another option?
If you only entered your details on AirHelp’s website or app, without signing an assignment contract, you can start a claim with any other option at no cost.
If you already signed an assignment contract, check whether it includes an exclusivity or withdrawal-penalty clause before starting the same claim elsewhere. If in doubt, ask the company you signed with, in writing.
Check your compensation with AviFly
Nothing upfront. We only charge 15% + VAT if you get your money.
Check my compensationFrequently asked questions
Is there a cheaper alternative to AirHelp in Spain?
Yes: AviFly charges 15% + VAT (18.15% with VAT applied) against AirHelp’s 35%. Reclamador (30.25%) and AirAdvisor (30%) are also cheaper than AirHelp, though the gap with them is smaller than with AirHelp. You can also claim for free yourself from the airline and then from AESA.
How much does AirHelp charge if the case goes to court?
Under its published fee, an extra 15% on top of its usual 35%, both VAT included: up to 50% of the total recovered.
How much exactly do I save using AviFly instead of AirHelp?
On €600, €101.10 more; on €400, €67.40 more; on €250, €42.12 more. The gap grows with the size of the compensation.
Can I claim for free instead of hiring a company?
Yes. Claim from the airline in writing first; if it doesn’t reply within a month, or its reply doesn’t satisfy you, you can go to AESA for free. Since 2 June 2023 its decision is binding on the airline and can be enforced in court if it doesn’t pay within a month. AESA doesn’t handle baggage claims.
Can I switch from AirHelp to another company if I’ve already signed up?
If you only entered your details without signing an assignment contract, yes, at no cost. If you already signed one, check for an exclusivity clause before claiming the same case elsewhere.
How long do I have to claim for a flight in Spain?
The generally accepted time limit is 5 years from the flight date (Art. 1964 of the Spanish Civil Code).