Flight Cancelled Compensation EU261 2026

Your flight is cancelled. Not delayed. Not rescheduled. Cancelled. The airline sends a short email, sometimes just a text, and you’re left holding a booked holiday with no flight attached.

What now? You have rights. Enforceable, court-tested rights. Up to €600 compensation depending on the route. EU Regulation 261/2004 is clear on this. This article explains when you have a claim, when you don’t, and how you actually get the money.

When do you have a claim under EU261?

Basic requirement: the cancellation must come from the airline. Not from you, not from weather, not from a natural disaster.

You have a claim if:

The airline cancels the flight less than 14 days before departure
The flight departs from an EU airport, or arrives at an EU airport on an EU-based carrier
You had a valid ticket and had checked in or would have been allowed to check in

Compensation depends on the route:

Up to 1,500 km: €250
1,500 to 3,500 km within the EU: €400
Over 3,500 km: €600

For very last-minute cancellations (fewer than 7 days before departure), if the airline offers you an alternative flight with similar times, compensation can be reduced by 50 percent.

The full regulation is available at the EU official passenger rights page.

When is there no compensation?

This is the key point most people miss.

Extraordinary circumstances exclude compensation. But what actually qualifies?

No claim for genuine natural disasters (volcanic eruption, extreme storms), political instability, or airport closures by government authorities.

You still have a claim for:

Technical defects on the aircraft (except very rare, genuinely unforeseeable faults)
Strikes by airline staff (pilots, cabin crew)
Overbooking and yield management errors by the airline
Crew unavailability due to airline-internal scheduling decisions

Weather: A storm at the destination is often extraordinary. A storm the airline knew about 3 days in advance and didn’t reroute around can still support a claim. Courts decide these on individual facts.

How do you claim the compensation?

Step 1: Apply directly to the airline. Write a formal email to customer service. Subject: “Compensation claim EU Regulation 261/2004, Flight [number], [date]”. Attach your booking confirmation. Set a 6-week deadline.

Step 2: If the airline rejects or doesn’t respond. In the UK, contact the Civil Aviation Authority or your National Enforcement Body. In most EU countries there is a free mediation body for flight disputes.

Step 3: Use a flight claim portal. AirHelp, EUclaim or Flightright handle all communication and legal steps. Cost: 25 to 35 percent of the compensation. On €600, you keep around €400. In exchange, you do nothing except fill in a form.

Limitation period: Generally 2 to 3 years from the flight date depending on the country. Don’t wait too long.

More on related rights: flight delay compensation and what to do during a flight strike.

What else is the airline required to provide?

Beyond compensation, the airline has additional obligations.

Care and assistance from 2 hours waiting time (short routes) to 4 hours (long-haul): meals, drinks, communication. Keep receipts. These are reimbursable.

Refund or rebooking: Your choice. Either the full ticket price is refunded, or the airline rebooks you on the next available flight. This choice is yours, not theirs.

Hotel costs: If your replacement flight isn’t until the next day, the airline must pay for accommodation and transfers. If you book it yourself in an emergency, keep the receipt and claim afterwards. Keep costs reasonable.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long do you have to claim flight cancellation compensation?

In most EU countries the limitation period is 2 to 3 years from the flight date. In Germany it’s 3 years. Don’t wait too long. The earlier you submit your documentation, the simpler the process. Keep all boarding passes, emails and receipts.

What if you booked through a third-party platform?

Your rights under EU261 are against the operating airline, not the booking platform. It doesn’t matter whether you booked via Kayak, a travel agent or directly. The contract with the airline is what counts. Contact the airline directly for EU261 compensation.

When is it worth using a flight claim portal?

When you don’t want the hassle, the airline has already rejected your claim, or a lawsuit is needed. The 25 to 35 percent commission is worth it for many people. On a clear €600 claim: apply directly if you can invest 30 minutes. Portals are most valuable for complicated cases or disputed circumstances.

Which flights are not covered by EU261?

Private flights, charter flights without a purchased ticket, flights departing outside the EU on non-EU carriers, and flights affected by armed conflict or government-mandated bans. Always check whether the specific circumstances of your cancellation count as extraordinary.

Flight Cancelled: Your Rights Under EU261 Explained