Flight delayed or cancelled?
You may be owed €250–600.
EU Regulation EC261/2004 protects you on any flight departing an EU airport, or arriving in the EU on an EU airline. Check your eligibility, then follow the steps to claim.
A 3-hour-plus arrival delay, a cancellation with less than 14 days’ notice, or denied boarding (overbooking) entitle you to a flat €250, €400 or €600 depending on distance — regardless of ticket price. Unless “extraordinary circumstances” apply (extreme weather, air-traffic-control strike, security). Meals and accommodation are owed either way.
Check your flight in 30 seconds
The amounts (EC261)
How to claim
- 1. Claim from the airline
Write to the airline directly (email or letter), citing Regulation EC261/2004. Keep proof — boarding pass, booking, screenshots.
- 2. Mediation (mandatory in France since 7 Feb 2026)
If the airline refuses or doesn’t answer within 60 days, in France you must go through an approved mediator before court — usually the Médiateur Tourisme et Voyage (MTV). Free, and mandatory since the decree of 5 Aug 2025.
- 3. Report to the DGAC
The DGAC is France’s enforcement body for EC261. It doesn’t pay the compensation itself, but you can report a non-compliant airline.
- 4. Court (last resort)
If mediation fails, you can go to court. The limitation period in France is 5 years (Civil Code art. 2224).
Your rights, no matter what
Even with extraordinary circumstances, beyond a certain wait the airline must provide: meals and drinks, two means of communication, and accommodation + transfers if you need to stay overnight. This right to care is separate from compensation.
FAQ
How much for which flight?
€250 up to 1,500 km; €400 for intra-EU flights over 1,500 km and all flights 1,500–3,500 km; €600 beyond 3,500 km outside the EU.
How long must the delay be?
From 3 hours at the final destination. This 3-hour threshold still applies in 2026 (the proposal to raise it to 4–6h was rejected).
What about weather or strikes?
“Extraordinary circumstances” (extreme weather, ATC strike, security) remove the flat compensation but not the care. A strike by the airline’s own staff usually doesn’t count.
How long do I have to claim?
In France the limitation period is 5 years. Don’t wait — gather your proof early.
Do I need a paid claim company?
No. Claiming and the MTV mediation are free. Claim firms take 25–35%; you can do it all yourself for nothing.