Official EU261 guide
How to claim a flight: the complete guide to getting your compensation
Your flight was cancelled, delayed or you were denied boarding due to overbooking. EU Regulation 261/2004 entitles you to up to €600 per passenger. Here is exactly how to claim step by step, what documentation you need and how to stop the airline from saying no.
How to claim a flight, step by step
The procedure is always the same, regardless of the airline. Done well, it avoids 90 % of the standard rejections airlines send out.
- 1
Gather your flight documentation
You need your ticket, boarding pass and any airline communication (email, SMS) about the delay or cancellation. Upload the PDF to AviFly and our AI extracts every data point automatically in seconds.
- 2
Verify your case is covered by EU261
The regulation covers flights departing the EU (any airline) and flights arriving in the EU operated by an EU airline. Cancellation with less than 14 days notice or arrival delay of 3 hours or more entitle you to compensation, unless extraordinary circumstances are proven.
- 3
Calculate the compensation owed
It ranges from €250 to €600 per passenger by distance. Short flights (≤1,500 km) are €250. Medium (1,500-3,500 km) are €400. Long (>3,500 km) are €600. Plus ticket refund if you decided not to fly.
- 4
File the claim with the airline
In writing, with flight number, date, passenger details and reference to EU261. The airline has a response deadline. If they reject or ignore, escalate to the national enforcement body or judicial route.
- 5
If they reject, escalate
Airlines reject by default about 70 % of direct claims. AviFly handles court action if needed, with no extra cost to you — we only charge 30 % + VAT if we win in court.
How much you can claim
Compensation depends solely on flight distance. Not on ticket price, not on delay length (as long as it exceeds 3 h). It is a fixed amount set by law.
| Distance | Compensation |
|---|---|
Up to 1,500 km Madrid–Barcelona, Madrid–Lisbon, Barcelona–Rome | €250 |
1,500 – 3,500 km Madrid–London, Barcelona–Berlin, Madrid–Athens | €400 |
Over 3,500 km (intra-EU) Madrid–Tenerife, Madrid–Helsinki | €400 |
Over 3,500 km (extra-EU) Madrid–New York, Barcelona–Buenos Aires, Madrid–Tokyo | €600 |
Amounts are per passenger. If 4 people travel, each is owed their own compensation.
When EU261 applies and when it does not
The regulation is strict. These are the cases where you have (or do not have) the right to compensation.
Eligible
- Flight cancelled with less than 14 days notice
- Arrival delay of 3 hours or more
- Overbooking — you were denied boarding despite a valid ticket
- Connection missed due to airline fault with final delay ≥3 h
- Unilateral airport change without your consent
Not eligible
- Cancellation announced 14 days or more in advance
- Extraordinary circumstances (ATC strike, severe weather, security alert)
- Less than 3 hours arrival delay at final destination
- Personal decision not to board when an alternative was available
Documents you will need
The more complete the evidence, the less room the airline has to reject your case.
- Original ticket or e-ticket PDF
- Boarding pass
- Airline email or SMS announcing cancellation or delay
- Airport screen photos if you have them
- Receipts for extra costs (hotel, food, transport) if also claiming expenses
- ID or passport for every passenger claiming
Mistakes airlines hope you make
Accepting a voucher instead of cash
Airlines often offer vouchers or credit notes — but the law gives you the right to cash. Accepting the voucher (in some jurisdictions) waives the cash compensation.
Trusting the "extraordinary circumstance" claim
It is not enough for the airline to say it. They have to prove it. Technical faults almost never qualify. Strikes by their own staff do not either.
Not claiming downstream costs
On top of EU261 compensation you can claim meals, hotel and transport if the airline did not provide them. They are independent rights.
Waiting too long
In Spain you can claim up to 5 years back. But the longer you wait, the harder it gets to secure documentary proof. Claim as early as possible.
Frequently asked questions
Can I claim by myself without a lawyer?
Yes. It is your right. But airlines reject around 70 % of direct claims. If they reject you have to go to court, which means hiring a lawyer and a procurador. That is why platforms like AviFly charge €0 upfront and only if we win.
How long does an EU261 claim take?
Out of court: 2 to 3 months if the airline cooperates. Judicial: 7 to 14 months, depending on the court and whether a settlement is reached.
What if my flight was a connection and only the first leg was delayed?
What counts is the arrival time at the final destination shown on your ticket. If the first-leg delay caused you to miss the connection and arrive 3 h or more late at destination, you are entitled to compensation.
Is EU261 compensation in addition to the ticket refund?
Yes, they are two separate rights. The refund returns the cost of the flight when it is cancelled or you decide not to fly after a ≥5 h delay. Compensation is for the inconvenience. You can claim both.
What if someone else or my company paid for the ticket?
EU261 compensation belongs to the passenger, not whoever paid. If your company bought a business trip ticket, the compensation is still yours.
What do I do if the airline does not respond?
There is a 30-natural-day window in many claims. If it passes, escalate to the national enforcement body, or file a court claim. AviFly handles both routes at no cost to you.
Start your claim in 2 minutes
Upload your ticket and our system tells you instantly what you are owed. €0 upfront, 15 % only if we win.