EU Regulation 261/2004
Flight compensation: how much you are owed exactly
Compensation for cancelled flights, delays of 3 hours or more, and denied boarding ranges from €250 to €600 per passenger. Calculate your amount instantly by flight distance and, if eligible, we handle the claim for you.
Official EU261 compensation table
Amounts set by the European Union since 2004. They apply equally to Iberia, Ryanair, Vueling, Air Europa, Lufthansa or any airline operating in EU territory.
| Flight distance | Compensation | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Flights up to 1,500 km | €250 | Madrid–Barcelona, Madrid–Lisbon, Barcelona–Rome |
| Intra-EU flights over 1,500 km | €400 | Madrid–Berlin, Barcelona–Stockholm, Madrid–Athens |
| Non-EU flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km | €400 | Madrid–Tunis, Barcelona–Casablanca, Madrid–Istanbul |
| Non-EU flights over 3,500 km | €600 | Madrid–New York, Barcelona–Buenos Aires, Madrid–Tokyo |
Amount is PER PASSENGER. A family of 4 with a cancelled intercontinental flight gets up to €2,400.
Factors that determine your compensation
Not every delay or cancellation triggers compensation. These are the criteria that case law applies.
Flight distance (great-circle kilometres)
Measured in a straight line between origin and destination, not by the route flown. The official calculator uses this measure.
Arrival delay length
What counts is the difference between scheduled and actual arrival times. Less than 3 hours, no compensation. More than 3 hours, full table amount.
Notice period for cancellations
Notified 14 days or more in advance, no compensation. Between 7 and 14 days, applies if the alternative exceeds certain time thresholds. Less than 7 days, almost always compensable.
Origin and destination
Covers flights DEPARTING the EU (any airline) and flights ARRIVING in the EU operated by an EU airline. Wholly non-EU flights are not covered.
Extraordinary circumstances
Severe weather, ATC strike, security alert or terrorist threat exempt the airline. Aircraft technical fault, delay from a previous rotation or strike by the airline's own staff are NOT extraordinary.
When compensation is reduced by half
In cancellations, if the airline offers re-routing within certain limits, the amount can be reduced by 50%.
- Flights ≤1,500 km: if re-routing arrives less than 2 h late, compensation drops from €250 to €125
- Flights 1,500-3,500 km and intra-EU >1,500 km: if re-routing arrives less than 3 h late, drops from €400 to €200
- Flights >3,500 km extra-EU: if re-routing arrives less than 4 h late, drops from €600 to €300
If re-routing exceeds these limits, full compensation. Same if you reasonably refused the alternative.
Practical compensation examples
Real cases to see how the table is applied.
Madrid → Lisbon with 4 h delay
500 km flight (≤1,500 km). Delay over 3 h. No extraordinary circumstance.
€250 per passenger
Barcelona → Berlin cancelled with 3 days notice
Intra-EU flight of 1,500 km (at the threshold). Notice under 7 days. No reasonable alternative.
€400 per passenger
Madrid → New York with 6 h delay due to technical fault
Extra-EU flight of 5,700 km. Delay ≥3 h. Technical fault is NOT considered extraordinary under EU case law.
€600 per passenger
Family of 4, Madrid → Tenerife cancelled the day before
Notice under 7 days. Intra-EU flight of 1,700 km. No alternative.
€1,600 total (€400 × 4)
Frequently asked questions on compensation
Is compensation in addition to the ticket refund?
Yes. They are separate rights. If you decide not to fly after a 5 h+ delay, or your flight is cancelled, you are entitled to a full refund IN ADDITION to EU261 compensation.
Can I also claim extra costs (hotel, food, transport)?
Yes. If the airline failed to provide meals, accommodation or transport when due, you can claim those costs against receipts. It is a separate right.
What if my ticket was a promo or premium fare?
Compensation is the same regardless of what you paid. EU261 compensates for the inconvenience, not the ticket price.
What if I paid with miles or a voucher?
Still applies. EU rules cover any valid ticket regardless of payment method.
How long until I get paid?
Out-of-court: 2 to 3 months. Judicial (when rejected): 7 to 14 months. AviFly handles both routes with no upfront fees.
Do I pay tax on the compensation?
In Spain, EU261 compensation is exempt from income tax up to legally set amounts. Higher amounts may be taxed as capital gains.
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