Flight Cancellation Compensation

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Key Points about Cancelled Flight Compensation

Air travel can be unpredictable, and flight cancellations are sometimes unavoidable. However, you might be entitled to up to €600 in compensation for a cancelled flight under EU regulations. This applies even if the airline provides an alternative flight. Read on to discover everything you need to know about your rights and how to claim compensation for a cancelled flight.

Wondering if you’re eligible for flight compensation? Simply enter your original flight details into our free compensation calculator. In just a few easy steps, you’ll know your eligibility status. There’s no commitment to open a case, so why wait? Check your claim today!

Under EC 261 regulations, you may be eligible to claim up to €600 in cancelled flight compensation if…

Your flight was scheduled to depart from an EU country (flights arriving in the EU may also qualify in some cases).

The airline informed you of the cancellation less than 14 days prior to the scheduled departure.

The reason for the cancellation was within the airline’s control (e.g., operational issues, technical problems, or airline staff strikes).

If you accepted an alternative flight, the new arrival time was significantly different from your original flight (specific criteria apply).

The cancellation took place within the last 3 years.

You had a confirmed reservation, evidenced by a booking confirmation with details like flight number and passenger names.

Had a Cancelled Flight? You may be entitled to as much as €600 in EU cancelled flight compensation.

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Flight Cancellation Compensation

Your Rights on Cancellation Flight Compensation

Under EU Regulation EC 261/2004, passengers are entitled to compensation for cancelled flights if the airline is at fault for the disruption. This compensation applies in cases where there are no extraordinary circumstances involved.

Flight cancellation compensation is valid when the airline is responsible for the travel disruption. However, airlines are not held liable in situations considered beyond their control, such as severe weather events or natural disasters.

You have the right to choose between a ticket refund or an alternative flight.

You may claim compensation if the airline notified you of the cancellation less than 14 days before your scheduled departure.

Compensation amounts range from €250 to €600 per passenger, based on the flight distance.

You are entitled to complimentary refreshments and beverages during extended waiting periods.

What to do when the Flight is cancelled?

If your flight is cancelled, especially when traveling to or from the European Union, follow these steps to ensure you are properly compensated and supported:

Collect proof — Keep all relevant documents, such as your boarding pass, any vouchers, and other travel documents that show your flight was cancelled.

Get written confirmation — Ask the airline for written confirmation of the cancellation and the reason behind it. This can be crucial for your claim.

Request an alternative flight or refund — Depending on your preference, ask the airline to arrange an alternate flight to your destination or request a full refund.

Note the arrival time — Keep track of the arrival time of your replacement flight or any significant delay, as this can affect your compensation eligibility.

Request meals and refreshments — The airline is generally required to provide you with meals and refreshments, particularly during long delays.

Note the arrival time — Keep track of the arrival time of your replacement flight or any significant delay, as this can affect your compensation eligibility.

Don’t sign anything that waives your rights — Avoid signing any documents or accepting offers that could waive your rights to compensation.

Hotel accomodation — If you need to stay overnight, ask the airline to provide you with hotel accommodation.

Keep receipts — If you incur additional costs due to the cancellation (e.g., for meals, transportation, or accommodation), make sure to keep all receipts for reimbursement or compensation purposes.

Following these steps will ensure you are well-prepared to claim compensation and avoid losing out on what you are entitled to.

Meaning of Flight Cancellation Compensation

A flight is considered cancelled if it never leaves the tarmac. According to EU Regulation EC 261, a cancelled flight is defined as: “The non-operation of a flight which was previously planned and on which at least one place was reserved.”

Flights may be cancelled for various reasons, such as severe weather conditions or security risks that disrupt operations. However, if an airline cancels your flight, you could be eligible for compensation under certain conditions.

EU Regulation EC 261 entitles passengers to claim up to €600 for flight cancellations, provided specific criteria are met. We’ll outline below how much compensation you might be eligible to receive.

It’s important to note that a delayed flight is not the same as a cancelled flight. However, if a delay causes you to arrive at your destination more than 3 hours late, you may still qualify for flight delay compensation.

Calculate your compensation for Canceled Flights for free!

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What are you entitled to if your Flight is Cancelled?

The main point to understand is that airlines are required to provide either a refund or an alternative flight.

Additionally, if your flight was cancelled within 14 days of its scheduled departure, you could be entitled to compensation. Below, we’ll detail all your rights and what you’re entitled to when your flight is cancelled.

Your rights to Compensation, Refund, or Re-routing

When it comes to flight cancellations, EC 261 makes it clear that the airline must offer the passenger the following 3 choices:

  • A full or partial refund of your original ticket – and a return flight to your original point of departure if needed.
  • The earliest possible alternative transport to your final destination.
  • A new ticket to your final destination at a later date of your choosing, subject to availability.

Let’s break down what your choices are here.

Refund:

This is a simple choice if you are yet to take any portion of your flight. You will be refunded the full cost of your ticket.

However if you have already departed it’s a little more complex. You can get a refund for the unused portion of your ticket.

If you have used part of your ticket, but because of the cancelled flight it’s no longer serving your original travel plan, you can get a refund for that used portion of the ticket too.

Whenever relevant, the airline must also provide you with a return flight to the first point of departure, and at the earliest opportunity.

Either way, EC 261 says you must be reimbursed within 7 days.

Earliest possible alternative:

Under this choice, your airline must provide you with a new means of getting to your final destination as soon as they can. EC 261 specifies it must be under comparable transport conditions too.

Alternative on a convenient date for you:

If you would prefer, you can opt to take the alternative transport to your final destination on a different date – subject to seats being available of course. Again EC 261 specifies the alternative transport must be under comparable conditions.

A note about your final destination:

Although airlines may offer to fly you to alternative airports to the one you originally booked, they must pay to transfer you to the original airport. Or to a nearby address if you agree that with them.

Every year, millions of air passengers miss out on compensation owed under European Regulation EC 261.

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Cancelled Flight Compensation Amounts

If your airline informs you of a flight cancellation less than 14 days before your scheduled departure, you may be eligible for compensation under EC 261, which could be up to €600 per passenger.

The amount of compensation depends on a few key factors:

  • Distance of your flight
  • Whether your flight is within the EU or international
  • The length of delay (how much later the replacement flight arrives at your final destination compared to the original schedule)

To make it easier to understand these compensation amounts, refer to the following chart for a detailed breakdown.

Compensation amounts based on the length of delay

The compensation you may receive varies based on the length of delay between your alternate flight and the original flight’s arrival time. Here’s a breakdown:

Length of Delay Compensation (€) Distance Category
Under 2 hours €125 All flights 1,500 km or less
2 – 3 hours €250 All flights 1,500 km or less
3 – 4 hours €250 All flights 1,500 km or less
Over 4 hours €250 All flights 1,500 km or less
Never arrived €250 All flights 1,500 km or less
Under 2 hours €200 Internal EU flights over 1,500 km
2 – 3 hours €200 Internal EU flights over 1,500 km
3 – 4 hours €400 Internal EU flights over 1,500 km
Over 4 hours €400 Internal EU flights over 1,500 km
Never arrived €400 Internal EU flights over 1,500 km
Under 2 hours €200 Non-internal EU flights 1,500 km – 3,500 km
2 – 3 hours €200 Non-internal EU flights 1,500 km – 3,500 km
3 – 4 hours €400 Non-internal EU flights 1,500 km – 3,500 km
Over 4 hours €400 Non-internal EU flights 1,500 km – 3,500 km
Never arrived €400 Non-internal EU flights 1,500 km – 3,500 km
Under 2 hours €300 Non-internal EU flights over 3,500 km
2 – 3 hours €300 Non-internal EU flights over 3,500 km
3 – 4 hours €300 Non-internal EU flights over 3,500 km
Over 4 hours €600 Non-internal EU flights over 3,500 km
Never arrived €600 Non-internal EU flights over 3,500 km

Note: The compensation amount may be reduced by half in some cases, depending on how much your arrival was delayed compared to your originally scheduled flight.

Exceptions to Compensation Eligibility

Under EC 261, all flights canceled with less than 14 days’ notice are eligible for compensation unless an alternative flight is provided that meets the following criteria:

Advance Notice Given Re-routing Conditions
14 Days No re-routing required
7 – 13 Days Alternate flight departs no more than 2 hours before and arrives less than 4 hours after the original flight
Less than 7 Days Alternate flight departs no more than 1 hour before and arrives less than 2 hours after the original flight

Make sure to check these criteria to understand your eligibility for compensation.

Other entitlements under EC 261
Right to care

If your flight is cancelled, airlines are required to assist you during the disruption, depending on the situation:

  • Meals and refreshments: Provided during delays while you wait at the airport.
  • Communication access: Includes two telephone calls, faxes, or emails.
  • Accommodation: If an overnight stay is needed, the airline must provide a hotel room and transportation to and from the airport.
Upgrading and downgrading
  • Upgrading: If you’re placed in a higher class than booked, no additional charges apply.
  • Downgrading: If you’re placed in a lower class, you are entitled to a reimbursement of 30-75% of the original ticket price.
Obligation to inform passengers

Airlines must inform passengers about their rights under EC 261. This includes displaying passenger rights information at check-in counters at every airport they operate.

Further compensation

Your EC 261 compensation does not limit your right to request additional compensation for losses. However, if you voluntarily surrender your reservation, this rule does not apply. Note that any EC 261 compensation may be deducted from the additional compensation you receive.

For more information, visit our Air Passenger Rights page or read the full text of EC 261 for a detailed explanation.

What’s Covered
Where EC 261 Applies

EC 261 regulations apply based on the flight route and the airline, regardless of the passenger’s nationality. Here’s a breakdown of coverage:

  • Flights departing from Europe: All flights from European airports are covered, including flights from the EU’s outermost regions (e.g., Canary Islands, Madeira, French Guiana, and others).
  • European carriers flying into Europe: Flights arriving in Europe with European airlines are also covered, even if they departed from a non-European country.

To simplify:

Itinerary EU Air Carrier Non-EU Air Carrier
From inside the EU to inside the EU ✔️ Covered ✔️ Covered
From inside the EU to outside the EU ✔️ Covered ✔️ Covered
From outside the EU to inside the EU ✔️ Covered ❌ Not Covered
From outside the EU to outside the EU ❌ Not Covered ❌ Not Covered
Extraordinary Circumstances are not Covered

Airlines can avoid paying compensation if they prove the cancellation was due to extraordinary circumstances—events outside their control. This includes:

  • Severe weather conditions
  • Medical emergencies
  • Lightning strikes
  • Acts of sabotage or terrorism

However, not all airline claims qualify as extraordinary. For example:

  • Technical difficulties or operational issues are not valid reasons for denial, as confirmed by the European Court of Justice (ECJ).
  • Staff strikes are also not considered extraordinary circumstances, meaning passengers are entitled to compensation in such cases (per a March 2021 ECJ ruling).
Connecting Flights and Cancellation Compensation

Compensation for connecting flight cancellations depends on several factors, including:

  • Whether the flights were booked under one ticket
  • The flight’s starting point, destination, and carrier

If all flights were part of the same booking and the journey originated in Europe or involved an EU airline arriving in Europe, EC 261 applies to the entire journey. Compensation is typically calculated based on the total distance of the journey.

However, some courts interpret the regulation differently, so eligibility may vary.

Quick Eligibility Check with AioFlight

To simplify the process, use our Compensation Check tool. Enter your flight details to determine your eligibility in seconds and let AioFlight handle the rest! For more details on specific cases, visit our Missed Connection Compensation page.

How to File a Claim for Flight Cancellation Compensation
Submit the compensation claim

It only takes 2 minutes to fill submit your claim and to find out your compensation amount and submit the request.

We advocate for your rights

Our experts will thoroughly assess your eligibility, contact the airlines, and coordinate with authorities to handle your claim efficiently

Get and Enjoy Your Compensation

After we secure your compensation, we’ll transfer the funds to you, minus our fee. If we don’t win, you don’t pay.

If your flight was delayed, canceled or overbooked within the last 3 years, you could be eligible for up to €600 in compensation.

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How AioFlight can help you to deal with a cancelled flight?

If your flight is cancelled and you’re looking to claim compensation, the process can be challenging. Airlines may not be quick to pay, even if the law is on your side. That’s where AioFlight steps in. We handle all the negotiations with the airline on your behalf, making the process easier for you.

Why choose AioFlight?

Top-rated Compensation Service We are one of the leading flight compensation companies worldwide.

Rated “Excellent” on Trustpilot: Our customers trust us to get them the compensation they deserve.

Thousands of passengers around the world helped: We’ve successfully secured compensation for thousand of passengers.

No win, no fee: We charge nothing unless you receive compensation.

If you prefer to handle the claim yourself, you can still use our free tools. Our Claim Eligibility Check and passenger rights education will help you understand your entitlements and guide you through the process.

Let us help you get what you’re owed, stress-free!

Cancelled Flight?

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Frequently Asked Questions about Cancelled Flight Compensation

Yes, you may be eligible for compensation, depending on the circumstances surrounding the cancellation and the laws of the country from which you are flying. For example, EC 261 in Europe and ANAC 400 in Brazil offer compensation rights to passengers.

If you’re unsure whether you’re entitled to compensation, simply use our Compensation Check tool to find out if you’re owed compensation for your flight cancellation.

In most cases, no. Flights cancelled due to bad weather are typically considered extraordinary circumstances, meaning they are outside the airline’s control and generally do not qualify for compensation.

However, there is an exception. If the airline failed to prepare for expected bad weather or if other flights were able to depart on time while yours was severely delayed, you may still be entitled to compensation. AioFlight can help you determine if your situation qualifies and assist with the claim process.

If your flight is cancelled, you are entitled to either a refund or a replacement flight to your destination, regardless of the airline’s fault. Additionally, you may be eligible for compensation, depending on the laws of the country from which you were flying. For example, in the EU, you can claim up to €600 for a cancelled flight, provided it wasn’t due to extraordinary circumstances (e.g., bad weather) and you were informed less than 14 days before your scheduled departure. AioFlight can help you determine if you’re eligible for both a refund and compensation.

Generally, you have up to 3 years from the date of your flight cancellation to claim compensation. However, the exact time frame depends on the country where you were flying. Some countries allow as little as 2 months to file a claim, while others give you as much as 10 years. To avoid missing out on compensation, it’s best to claim as soon as possible. Use AioFlight’s tools to quickly determine your eligibility and start the process today.

The amount of compensation you can claim for a cancelled flight depends on several factors:

  1. Departure country: For EU flights, you may be eligible for up to €600 under EC 261 regulations. For Brazilian flights, compensation could be as much as €1,200 in some cases.
  2. Flight distance: Longer flights may result in higher compensation amounts.
  3. Delay length: The length of the delay caused by the cancellation also impacts the compensation you could receive.

To find out exactly how much compensation you’re entitled to, use our Compensation Check tool for a quick and easy assessment.

Absolutely. AioFlight makes claiming flight delay compensation easy and hassle-free. We operate on a no win, no fee basis, so there’s no risk to you. If you’re eligible for compensation, we’ll help you get the refund you deserve without any upfront costs.

If your flight is cancelled and you’re eligible for compensation, AioFlight makes the process straightforward. You can choose from the following options:

  1. Use AioFlight’s claim service: Let us handle the entire process for you, from paperwork to negotiations, ensuring you get the compensation you deserve.
  2. Work with a lawyer: If you prefer, you can hire a lawyer, though this may involve higher upfront costs.
  3. Contact the airline directly: Alternatively, you can reach out to the airline on your own and negotiate the compensation.

No matter which option you choose, we’re here to guide you through the process.

When an airline cancels your flight and issues a new ticket, you have the right to decline the offered replacement flight. Instead, you can request a full refund or choose an alternative flight that suits your schedule. Additionally, if the cancellation meets certain eligibility criteria, you could be entitled to compensation for the disruption.

If your flight is cancelled and the airline offers a voucher instead of a refund but becomes unresponsive, you still have options. Under most regulations, passengers have the right to a monetary refund rather than a voucher. Here’s what you can do:

  • Insist on a refund: You are not obligated to accept a voucher if you prefer a cash refund. Continue reaching out to the airline, as processing requests can take time.
  • Explore alternative channels: If you booked through a travel agent, contact them for assistance in securing your refund. Additionally, check with your credit card company, as many offer chargeback options for services not rendered.

Persistence is key, so keep following up to ensure your refund is processed.

Yes, you can — but it depends on where you were flying. The EU and UK have some of the most robust flight delay compensation laws, which extend beyond just domestic flights. If your flight departed from Europe or you arrived in Europe on a UK or EU airline, you’re protected by EC 261 or its UK equivalent. Brazil also has strong air passenger rights, allowing you to claim compensation for flight delays under their regulations.

Yes, passengers are entitled to different types of reimbursements when a flight is cancelled before takeoff. It’s important to understand the distinction between a flight cancellation refund and flight cancellation compensation:

  • Flight Cancellation Refund: This is when the airline returns the money you paid for your flight ticket. You are always entitled to a refund if you did not take any leg of your journey due to the cancellation.
  • Flight Cancellation Compensation: This is additional payment meant to cover any inconvenience or losses you experienced due to the disruption. You may qualify for compensation if specific conditions are met, such as the airline being responsible for the cancellation and notifying you less than 14 days before departure.

Make sure to check the details and requirements to determine if you’re eligible for both a refund and compensation.

Unlike regulations in the EU or Brazil, the United States does not have specific laws mandating compensation for cancelled flights. Whether passengers receive compensation for a cancellation in the USA depends entirely on the policies of the airline involved. While airlines are required to provide a refund or rebooking if a flight is cancelled, any additional compensation for the inconvenience is at their discretion. It’s a good idea to check with your airline’s policy to see if they offer any form of compensation or benefits in the event of a cancellation.

Following Brexit, the UK maintained similar passenger rights by adopting a version of EU Regulation EC 261, known as “UK 261.” This ensures that passengers continue to have protections similar to those in the EU. Under UK 261, passengers departing from the UK or arriving in the UK on a UK-registered airline are entitled to claim compensation for eligible flight cancellations, with amounts up to £520 per passenger. These rules uphold the standards set prior to Brexit, allowing travelers to seek compensation for flight disruptions if the airline can be held accountable. The conditions and amounts, such as notification periods and compensation eligibility, mirror those of the EU regulation to ensure consistency for passengers.

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