Are you entitled to compensation for a delayed or cancelled flight?
It depends, but not always — the popular myth that 'any delay means money' is misleading, and budget-airline flights are no exception. Under EU Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 a passenger is entitled to fixed compensation if a flight is cancelled without 14 days' notice, if you reach your final destination 3 or more hours late, or if you are denied boarding on an overbooked plane. The amount depends on distance: 250 € up to 1500 km, 400 € within the EU over 1500 km and for other 1500–3500 km flights, and 600 € over 3500 km. The rules cover all flights from the EU, and flights into the EU on EU carriers. The key thing people miss: compensation is not due if the delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances — a storm, airspace closure or security threat — but the compensation is separate from your right to meals, accommodation and a refund.
📋 The rules
- Compensation is due when you arrive 3+ hours late, the flight is cancelled without 14 days' notice, or boarding is denied
- Amount by distance: 250 € (up to 1500 km), 400 € (over 1500 km in EU / 1500–3500 km), 600 € (over 3500 km)
- The rules cover flights from the EU and into the EU on EU carriers, including budget airlines
- The right to meals, communication and accommodation applies separately from the cash compensation
- Complaints go to LTSA, and for a foreign carrier to the European Consumer Centre
🔓 Exceptions
- Extraordinary circumstances — extreme weather, airspace or airport closure, security threats — remove the compensation
- For long (over 3500 km) flights, compensation may be halved if re-routing is offered with only a small delay
- A strike by the carrier's own staff is generally not an extraordinary circumstance under EU case law — compensation stands
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Here the 'penalty' falls on the airline, and the biggest risk to the passenger is not getting what is owed. A carrier that ignores the rules must pay 250–600 € to each passenger separately, plus litigation and interest costs if it drags things out. What people miss: the compensation does not replace the right to a refund of the ticket or re-routing, nor the right to meals and accommodation, so the carrier may have to cover everything at once. The passenger's practical risk is missing the deadline: claims are subject to a limitation period, so delay can extinguish the right. In Lithuania oversight is handled by LTSA, which can investigate complaints, while disputes with foreign carriers are helped by the European Consumer Centre. Lost tickets and documents proving the delay often mean a valid claim is refused.
📎 Official sources
- LTSA · air passenger rights (Regulation 261/2004) →
- European Consumer Centre Lithuania · flight compensation →
- EUR-Lex · Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 →
❓ Frequently asked
When are you entitled to compensation for a delay?
Compensation is due when you reach your final destination 3 or more hours late, provided the delay was not caused by extraordinary circumstances. A shorter delay gives no cash compensation, though the right to meals and assistance may arise earlier.
How much compensation is provided?
The amount depends on flight distance: 250 euros up to 1500 km, 400 euros within the EU over 1500 km and for 1500–3500 km flights, and 600 euros over 3500 km. For long flights the sum may be halved if re-routing is offered with only a small delay.
Does the rule apply to budget airlines?
Yes, EU Regulation 261/2004 applies to all flights departing from EU airports, regardless of the ticket price or the size of the airline. So the myth that budget or charter airlines are exempt from compensation is simply wrong.
When is compensation not due?
Compensation is not due if the flight was cancelled or delayed by extraordinary circumstances — extreme weather, airspace closure or security threats. However, a strike by the airline's own staff is generally not treated as such a circumstance under EU case law.
Where do you complain if the airline will not pay?
First send a written claim to the carrier, attaching your ticket and documents proving the delay. If you get no response, you can turn to LTSA for oversight, and for a foreign carrier to the European Consumer Centre in Lithuania.
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