Article 7: the compensation

The fixed cash amounts — €250, €400, €600 — how distance sets them, and the one lawful reduction.

Legal referenceEU 261, Art. 7

Article 7 is the money article. It sets a fixed payment per passenger, independent of the ticket price, for cancellations, denied boarding and (via Sturgeon) long delays.

€250 — flights up to 1,500 km
€400 — intra-EU flights over 1,500 km, and all flights 1,500–3,500 km
€600 — flights over 3,500 km between an EU and a non-EU airport

Art. 7(2) lets the airline halve the amount if it re-routed you and the arrival delay stayed modest (under 2, 3 or 4 hours by band). That is the only lawful reduction — a partial refund or a voucher does not replace it.

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More from Your rights

Article 4: denied boarding→

When the airline bumps you — usually from overbooking — Art. 4 gives you compensation, a refund or re-routing, and care.

Article 5: cancellation→

Your rights when a flight is cancelled — and how the notice period decides whether cash is owed.

Article 8: reimbursement or re-routing→

Cancelled or badly delayed? You choose: your money back, or a new flight to your destination.

Article 9: the right to care→

Meals, communication and a hotel while you wait — owed even when no compensation is.

All Your rights