Compensation for cancelled flights: rights, deadlines and conditions
A last-minute cancellation can derail any itinerary, but EU261 protects you. This article explains your rights after a cancellation and why AviFly is the best option to claim and find travel alternatives.
1Options after a cancellation
When the airline cancels your flight it must offer you three alternatives. Once you choose one, you can't claim the other two.
Ticket refund
Full refund of the ticket price
Includes return to the point of origin if continuing the trip no longer makes sense
Immediate rebooking
Flight as soon as possible to your destination
At no extra cost and in comparable transport conditions
Change of date at your convenience
Travel on a later date of your choice
Subject to availability, at no extra cost to the passenger
Important: Irreversible decision
Once you choose one of the three options (refund, immediate alternative flight or date change), you cannot change your mind. Evaluate your situation carefully before deciding.
2Economic compensation
In addition to transport, you are entitled to compensation based on the flight distance. Compensation may be reduced by 50% if you accept an alternative flight that arrives with little delay.
EU261 Compensation Table - Cancelled flights
Up to 1,500 km
Madrid-Barcelona, Paris-Amsterdam, London-Dublin
por pasajero
>1,500 km within the EU or up to 3,500 km outside the EU
Madrid-London, Rome-Berlin, Barcelona-Warsaw
por pasajero
>3,500 km intercontinental flights
Madrid-New York, Paris-Tokyo, Barcelona-Buenos Aires
por pasajero
50% reduction in certain cases
If you accept an alternative flight, the compensation may be reduced by 50% if you arrive at your destination:
!When there is no compensation
No compensation is paid in the following EU261-defined cases:
You are notified more than 14 days in advance
If the airline informs you 14 days or more in advance, there is no compensation
Adequate alternative (7-14 days)
You are informed 7-14 days in advance and offered an alternative leaving up to 2 hours earlier and arriving less than 4 hours later
Adequate alternative (<7 days)
You are informed less than 7 days in advance and offered an alternative leaving 1 hour earlier and arriving less than 2 hours later
Extraordinary circumstances
Cancellation due to extreme weather, ATC strikes, air traffic restrictions, etc.
Most common extraordinary circumstances
Note: Aircraft technical problems, lack of crew or strikes by airline staff are NOT considered extraordinary circumstances.
3Why choose AviFly?
More than claims: your smart travel assistant
When your flight is cancelled, AviFly not only manages your compensation; its AI anticipates problems, compares flights, trains and buses and offers the best alternative route in seconds.
Prediction: Detects cancellation patterns hours in advance
Advanced algorithms analyze historical data and current conditions to anticipate problems
Automatic alternatives: Presents flights, trains or hotels according to your preferences
Avoid queues and manual searches with instant personalized options
Multimodal coverage: Considers train + bus + hotel, not just planes
Combine different transport modes to find the best solution
100% automated management: The app claims for you
No forms, no calls, no bureaucracy
Result
Your trip continues stress-free and with maximum compensation. AviFly combines automated claims with smart planning of alternative routes.
FAQs about cancellation compensation
Turn cancellations into opportunities with AviFly
With AviFly you automatically get your compensation up to €600, find smart alternative routes and continue your trip stress-free.
Your ultimate travel assistant
AviFly combines automated claims with smart route planning. Not only do you recover your money, you reach your destination in the most efficient way.
Be part of the next generation of travelers who never suffer from a cancellation again
Lecturas relacionadas sobre cancelaciones y retrasos
Complementa esta guía con recursos clave para reclamar compensaciones EU261.