If you’ve ever experienced a flight delay, no matter how long or short, you know the frustration that comes with it. Even a delay as little as ten minutes can cause havoc on your travel plans, from friends and family having to wait longer than expected to collect you at your destination to missing your connecting flight entirely.
However, thanks to EU law EC 261, you might just be welcoming flight delays and even flight cancellations, even if they do set you back a few hours.
What is EU law EC 261 and what does it mean?
In a nutshell, EU law EC 261 means that you could be entitled to up to £510 in compensation from your air carrier if your flight is delayed or cancelled. Of course, this doesn’t apply to all flights, and there are certain requirements in order to be eligible for compensation:
You must arrive at your final destination at least 3 hours later than the scheduled arrival time.
You must have checked in on time.
The airline must be responsible for the delay.
The flight must have either taken off within the EU or must have landed in the EU (as long as the airline has its headquarters within the EU).
The flight in question must have happened no more than three years ago.
If you experience a flight delay that checks all these boxes then – congratulations! – you’re likely entitled to compensation!
Does this only apply to EU citizens?
No – this law applies to anyone flying in, out and within the EU, no matter their citizenship. The only exclusions are for flights flying from outside the EU and landing in the EU that are operated by airlines with headquarters not in the EU.
With the advent of Brexit, it’s unclear whether this will apply to flights in and out of the UK in future, although according to reports the situation is hopeful for affected passengers.
How much money are you really entitled to?
The amount of financial compensation one is owed depends on various factors, including the distance travelled and the time you arrive at your final destination. No matter the distance, your arrival time must be delayed by at least 3 hours in order to qualify for compensation. Remember that arrival time isn’t the moment when passengers are allowed to leave the aircraft, but rather the moment at which it has reached its final destination and its first door is opened.
The fee then varies depending on the distance travelled, and whether the flight is within the EU or non-internal. Depending on these factors, you could be entitled to financial compensation anywhere from £210 to £510.
But that’s not all…
If you are stuck waiting for a delayed flight (or a new flight altogether if the original one was cancelled) the airline must also provide the following:
- Adequate meals and refreshments;
- Access to communications including telephone and emails;
- Overnight accommodation if necessary, as well as transport to and from the hotel.
How to claim compensation
The best way to claim flight compensation under EU law EC 261 is to use a company such as AirHelp. They will check your eligibility and make a claim with no risk to you, removing any hassle from the process.
