What is considered a delay according to regulations?

According to EU261/2004 Regulation, it's considered a delay when the flight arrives at its final destination 3 or more hours late compared to the scheduled arrival time. It's important to note that it's measured by arrival time (when the first aircraft door opens), not departure time.

What documents do I need to claim?

To claim you'll need: 1) Boarding pass or flight booking, 2) Identity document, 3) Any airline communication about the delay, 4) Receipts for additional expenses (if any). With AviFly, you can upload these documents directly from your mobile or computer.

How long does the claim process take?

Time varies depending on case complexity and airline response. In simple cases, we can achieve compensation in 2-3 weeks. More complex cases may take 2-3 months. If court proceedings are necessary, the process can extend up to 6-12 months.

What are 'extraordinary circumstances'?

These are situations beyond the airline's control that exempt them from paying compensation, such as: severe weather conditions, air traffic controller strikes, acts of terrorism, or medical emergencies. However, aircraft technical problems, crew shortage, or airline staff strikes are NOT considered extraordinary circumstances.

Can I claim if I was offered an alternative flight?

Yes, you can claim compensation even if you accepted an alternative flight, as long as you arrived at your final destination with a 3+ hour delay compared to your original arrival time. The fact that the airline provided you with an alternative flight does not eliminate your right to compensation.

What happens if the flight is delayed more than 5 hours?

With a delay of more than 5 hours, on top of the monetary compensation (€250-600) and airport assistance, you're entitled to request a full ticket refund if you decide not to fly. You can also demand a return flight to your original point of departure if continuing the trip no longer makes sense.

Is the airline required to provide food during a delay?

Yes. The airline must provide food and drinks in proportion to the waiting time when the delay exceeds: 2 hours on flights up to 1,500 km, 3 hours on flights between 1,500-3,500 km, and 4 hours on flights over 3,500 km. If they don't, keep the receipts so you can claim them back afterwards.

What happens if I miss my connecting flight because of a delay?

If you miss your connection due to the delay and arrive at your final destination more than 3 hours late, you're entitled to compensation. What counts is the total delay at the final destination, not at the connecting airport. Both flights must be on the same booking.

Do they have to pay for a hotel if I lose the night to a delay?

Yes. If the delay forces an overnight stay (one or more nights), the airline must provide you with a free hotel and transport between the airport and the hotel. If they don't, keep the hotel and transport receipts so you can claim them back afterwards.

Can I claim a flight delayed by bad weather?

Severe weather conditions (storms, extreme snow, volcanic ash) are considered extraordinary circumstances and don't entitle you to monetary compensation. However, you ARE entitled to: airport assistance (food, drinks, hotel) and, if the delay exceeds 5 hours, a ticket refund.

What are extraordinary circumstances on a delayed flight?

Situations outside the airline's control: severe weather, air traffic control restrictions, security alerts and medical emergencies. Important: aircraft technical faults, crew shortages and airline staff strikes are NOT extraordinary circumstances and DO entitle you to compensation.

How long do I have to claim a delayed flight in Spain?

In Spain the statute of limitations is 5 years from the date of the delayed flight. You can claim flights delayed up to 5 years ago. The deadline varies by country: 3 years in Germany, 5 in France, 6 in the UK. We recommend claiming as soon as possible.

How much does AviFly charge to handle my delay claim?

AviFly charges only 15% + VAT for out-of-court claims — the lowest commission in Europe (competitors charge 25-35%). If the case requires court action, the fee is 30% + VAT, still very competitive. You ONLY pay if we win. If we don't secure your compensation, you pay nothing.

Can I claim on my own without an intermediary?

Yes, you can claim directly from the airline. However, airlines tend to reject or ignore individual claims. With AviFly, our AI automates the entire legal process, and if the airline refuses we escalate to court at no additional cost to you (aside from the commission adjustment to 30% + VAT).

Which flights are covered by Regulation EC 261/2004?

The regulation covers: all flights departing from an EU airport (with any airline), and flights arriving at an EU airport operated by a European airline. It doesn't cover flights arriving in the EU operated by non-European airlines. It applies to the 27 EU countries plus Iceland, Norway and Switzerland.

DELAYED FLIGHT CLAIM

Was your flight delayed by more than 3 hours? Claim up to €600 compensation

Passengers are entitled to financial compensation when their flight arrives at the destination more than 3 hours late, according to European Regulation EU261/2004.

Up to €600 compensation guaranteed by European law

No risk, we only charge if we win your case

Delay specialists

Digital process without complications

Check my compensation View EU261 criteria

No commitment • You only pay if you win • Commission: 15% + VAT

Vuelo retrasado - Reclama tu compensacion

Compensation according to EU 261/2004

Additional compensation to mandatory assistance during the wait

250€

Up to 1,500 km

Domestic and short regional flights

Madrid-Barcelona, Paris-Amsterdam, London-Dublin

3+ hours arrival delay

400€

1,500 - 3,500 km (EU)

Medium flights within the EU

Madrid-London, Rome-Berlin, Barcelona-Warsaw

3+ hours arrival delay

400€

International up to 1,500 km

Short international flights

Madrid-Marrakech, London-Oslo

3+ hours arrival delay

600€

Over 3,500 km

Long intercontinental flights

Madrid-New York, Paris-Tokyo, Barcelona-Buenos Aires

4+ hours arrival delay

EUROPEAN REGULATION

EU261/2004 Criteria for Delayed Flights

Specific requirements your delay must meet to be entitled to compensation

Arrival at final destination

IMPRESCINDIBLE

Your flight must arrive 3+ hours late at the final destination (4+ for flights +3,500km)

EU261 covered flight

IMPRESCINDIBLE

Departure from EU or arrival to EU with European airline

No extraordinary circumstances

IMPRESCINDIBLE

Delay not caused by reasons outside the airline's control

Connections included

If you miss a connection, the total delay to the final destination counts

Why is the arrival time key?

Example: YES compensation

Departs 1h late, arrives 3.5h late due to missed connection = €400 compensation

Example: NO compensation

Departs 2h late, arrives 30min late due to favorable winds = No compensation

Official measurement

Scheduled vs. actual time at final destination according to airport records

YOUR RIGHTS

Rights during waiting: food, hotel, transport

Assistance that the airline must provide you automatically based on delay time

2+ hours

Flights up to 1,500 km

Food, drinks and 2 free communications

3+ hours

Flights 1,500-3,500 km

Food, drinks and 2 free communications

4+ hours

Flights over 3,500 km

Food, drinks and 2 free communications

Overnight stay needed

Any distance

Free hotel + airport-hotel-airport transport

Tip: Keep all receipts

During the delay:

If the airline doesn't provide these services, keep receipts for reasonable expenses you've made (food, drinks, hotel) to claim them later.

After the flight:

• Claim EU261 compensation (250-600€)
• + Reimbursement of reasonable expenses not covered
• + Possible additional compensation for damages
• Specialists maximize your total recovery

WHAT AIRLINES DON'T WANT YOU TO KNOW

Your delayed flight is worth money. And the airline knows it.

85% of passengers never claim their compensation. Airlines count on it. Every delayed flight without a claim means up to €600 you lose that the airline keeps.

With AviFly, our AI claims for you in minutes — and you only pay if we win.

“While others are lost at the airport, not knowing what to do, you receive a notification:

📱 “Hi Maria, we have detected the delay of your flight IB3245. We are already on it.”

✓ Automatic claim initiated
✓ Documentation analysed in seconds
✓ €400 compensation calculated

That is the difference. You are not alone. AviFly works for you.

AI working 24/7

Our AI detects the delay, analyses documentation in seconds and calculates your compensation automatically. No waiting.

Technology that saves time.

Only 15% + VAT

The lowest fee in Europe. Competitors charge 25-35%. Our AI eliminates manual processes and passes the savings on to you.

More compensation in your pocket.

Zero bureaucracy

Forget the paperwork. Upload your flight, digital signature and we handle everything. 100% online.

Simple, fast, effective.

Your compensation one click away

Check for free if your delayed flight is eligible for compensation. No commitment, no paperwork, no risk. You only pay if we win.

Check my compensation

Free and risk-freeOnly 15% + VAT if we win

COMPLETE GUIDE

Everything about your rights for delayed flights

EU Regulation 261/2004 protects passengers of delayed flights across the European Union. This guide covers everything you need to know.

What are you entitled to if your flight is delayed by more than 3 hours?

When your flight arrives at the final destination with more than 3 hours delay, EU Regulation 261/2004 entitles you to financial compensation of between €250 and €600 depending on the flight distance. For flights under 1,500 km: €250. For flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km: €400. For flights over 3,500 km outside the EU: €600. Additionally, from 2 hours delay you are entitled to free assistance at the airport: food, drink and access to communications.

When are you NOT entitled to compensation for a delay?

The airline can avoid paying compensation if it proves the delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances it could not have avoided even with all reasonable measures. These include severe adverse weather conditions, air traffic control restrictions, unforeseeable security risks, and officially declared pandemics. However, aircraft technical problems, staff shortages, strikes by the airline's own staff and operational delays DO give rise to compensation.

Time limits for claiming delay compensation in Spain

In Spain, the statute of limitations for claiming compensation for a delayed flight is 5 years from the date of the flight. The limit varies by country: 3 years in Germany, 5 years in France, 6 years in the UK. We recommend not waiting: with AviFly, the process is 100% digital and can be started in less than 3 minutes.

How to calculate if your delay exceeds the 3-hour threshold

The EU Court of Justice established that the 3-hour threshold is calculated based on the actual arrival time at the final destination. Specifically, it is measured when the first door of the aircraft opens at the destination airport. If your flight had a layover, the delay time is measured from the arrival at the final destination, not at the intermediate stop.

WHY AVIFLY?

Claiming alone vs. claiming with AviFly

Reclamar solo

Con AviFly

Write legal letters yourself

AI generates the claim in seconds

Wait months for airline responses

Automated process tracking

Pay lawyers if the airline rejects

No cost if we don't win — €0 risk

25-35% commission with other companies

Only 15% + VAT — lowest in Europe

Manual process with paper forms

100% digital from your phone in 3 minutes

15%

commission + VAT

3 min

to start your claim

€0

if we don't win your case

BACKED BY EXPERTS

Legal team specialised in European aviation law

AviFly combines artificial intelligence with a team of legal advisors specialised in EU Regulation 261/2004. Every delay case is reviewed by professionals with experience in aviation claims.

EU261

Specialists in European regulation

15%

The lowest commission in Europe

100%

Digital process — no paperwork

HOW IT WORKS

Three steps. Zero paperwork.

Check my flight now

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

FAQ about delayed flights

Most frequent questions about compensation and rights for delays

Official AviFly app

Smart claim managementfor your trip

Track incidents, refunds and claims in one seamless app.

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Was your flight delayed by more than 3 hours? Claim up to €600 compensation

Compensation according to EU 261/2004

EU261/2004 Criteria for Delayed Flights

Arrival at final destination

EU261 covered flight

No extraordinary circumstances

Connections included

Why is the arrival time key?

Example: YES compensation

Example: NO compensation

Official measurement

Rights during waiting: food, hotel, transport

2+ hours

3+ hours

4+ hours

Overnight stay needed

Tip: Keep all receipts

During the delay:

After the flight:

Your delayed flight is worth money. And the airline knows it.

AI working 24/7

Only 15% + VAT

Zero bureaucracy

Your compensation one click away

Everything about your rights for delayed flights

What are you entitled to if your flight is delayed by more than 3 hours?

When are you NOT entitled to compensation for a delay?

Time limits for claiming delay compensation in Spain

How to calculate if your delay exceeds the 3-hour threshold

Claiming alone vs. claiming with AviFly

Legal team specialised in European aviation law

Three steps. Zero paperwork.

Upload your ticket

Digital signature

Get paid

FAQ about delayed flights

Smart claim managementfor your trip