[EU261 Law] What is EU flight delay/cancellation compensation?

Flights eligible for EU261 flight delay/cancellation compensation

All flights departing from and arriving within the EU

All flights departing within the EU and heading outside the EU

Flights departing outside the EU and heading into the EU

Flights on European-based airlines departing outside the EU and heading into the EU

In addition to all EU member states, non-EU member states such as the UK, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland are also eligible.

Compensation for delay

Compensation for delays and cancellations is up to 600 euros per person and varies depending on the flight distance and the duration of the delay.
Specifically, you will be eligible for compensation if the following conditions are met:

600€ If a flight with a flight distance of 3,500km or more is delayed for more than 4 hours
(300 euros if the delay is more than 3 hours and less than 4 hours)

400€ If a flight with a flight distance of 1500km or more is delayed for more than 3 hours

250€ If a flight with a flight distance of less than 1500km is delayed for more than 3 hours

*Delay calculations are based on the arrival time (the time the aircraft arrives at the tarmac and the aircraft door opens), not the departure time.

Compensation for cancellation

The compensation amount for cancellation is the same as for delay.Up to 600 euros per person, and varies depending on the flight distance of the flight in question.

600€ If a flight with a flight distance of 3,500km or more is canceled

400€ If a flight with a flight distance of 1500km or more is canceled

250€ If a flight with a flight distance of less than 1500km is canceled

Even if a replacement ticket has been arranged by the airline, you can receive compensation if you meet certain conditions depending on when you received the cancellation notice.
If you receive a cancellation notice more than two weeks in advance, you will not be eligible for compensation, but if you receive a cancellation notice less than two weeks in advance, you will be eligible for compensation unless the replacement ticket meets the following conditions.

1.If cancellation is notified more than 2 weeks before the departure date
2.If the cancellation is notified 13 to 7 days before the departure date, and the replacement ticket "departs at least 2 hours before the original scheduled time, and the scheduled arrival time is delayed by a maximum of 4 hours."
3.If the cancellation is notified less than 6 days before the departure date, and the replacement ticket "departs no later than 1 hour before the originally scheduled time, and the expected arrival time is delayed by a maximum of 2 hours."

Compensation for additional
accommodation, food, and transportation expenses

In addition to compensation for delays and cancellations, you can also receive compensation for additional accommodation, food, and transportation expenses.
In all cases, a receipt or photo/scan of the receipt is required for billing.

Accommodation/meal expenses

Amount equivalent to actual expenses

Transportation expenses

Public transportation between airport and hotel

*If you have already received hotel and food expenses (including vouchers) from the airline, you will not be eligible.
*Payment may be refused if the price is high compared to the local price level.

Cases not covered by EU261 compensation

In cases of delays or cancellations due to extraordinary circumstances not attributable to the airline, the airline may refuse to pay compensation under EU261.

A specific example is

・Bad weather such as fog/thunderstorm/strong wind/heavy snow
・Tire damage due to bird strikes, aircraft lightning strikes, and external causes
・Return due to sudden illness, emergency landing at airport on route
・Strikes by non-airline staff, such as air traffic control agencies
・Delays/cancellations caused by air traffic control agencies such as control system troubles
・Air traffic control agency's departure standby instructions due to airway congestion, etc.
・Closure of airspace and airports due to conflicts/terrorism/political situations, etc.
・Delays/cancellations due to aircraft availability caused by the above

etc. are considered force majeure and are not eligible for EU261 compensation.

For more information, please refer to the European Commission's guidance on EU Regulation (EC) No 261/2004.

EU261 original text Click here for FAQ

EU261 flight delay/cancellation compensation