ENDEFRESITPTELPLSVDACSHUROFIBGHRSKSLLTETLVMTISNOSQ
Case law

Nelson: the 3-hour rule confirmed

The airlines challenged Sturgeon. They lost.

Legal referenceJoined Cases C-581/10 & C-629/10, 23 October 2012

After Sturgeon, carriers argued the delay compensation was invalid and incompatible with the Montreal Convention. In Nelson the Court rejected that and confirmed the three-hour threshold.

Nelson is why "Sturgeon was just one case" is not an argument — the principle is settled, and still stands in 2026.

Think this applies to your flight?Check eligibility in 30 seconds, then claim it yourself for free.
Check my flight

More from Case law

Sturgeon: a long delay pays like a cancellation→
The ruling that brought delays into EU 261 and set the 3-hour line.
Wallentin-Hermann: technical faults are not "extraordinary"→
The ruling that closes the airline’s favourite excuse.
Folkerts: the delay that counts is at your final destination→
Why a missed connection still pays, even if the first leg left on time.
Van der Lans: a surprise breakdown is still not "extraordinary"→
Even an unexpected component failure sits with the airline.
All Case law