- How much compensation am I owed for a delayed flight?
- It depends on the great-circle distance of the route, not on how much you paid. Under EU261 you are owed €250 up to 1,500 km, €400 for 1,500–3,500 km, and €600 over 3,500 km, provided the arrival delay at your final destination is 3 hours or more and the cause was within the airline's control. UK261 uses £220 / £350 / £520. For long-haul delays of 3 to 4 hours the amount is halved. The checker computes the exact figure from your route and delay.
- Does the new EU rule that lowers compensation already apply?
- No. The 2025 reform file went through Parliament–Council conciliation, and in mid-June 2026 the institutions reached a provisional agreement that KEEPS the existing €250/€400/€600 bands and the 3-hour delay threshold — the Council's earlier proposal to push the qualifying delay to 4 hours (short/medium) and 6 hours (long) was rejected. The deal still needs sign-off by the conciliation committee and a plenary vote expected in July 2026, and would only apply from the second half of 2027. Until then — and for the foreseeable future on the amounts — your claim is governed by the current €250/€400/€600 bands and the 3-hour threshold confirmed by the Sturgeon ruling.
- What counts as an 'extraordinary circumstance' that lets the airline refuse?
- Extraordinary circumstances are events outside the carrier's actual control. Severe weather, air-traffic-control strikes, security incidents and bird strikes typically qualify and can defeat a claim. A routine technical fault, a crew shortage, or a strike by the airline's own staff does not — the Court of Justice has repeatedly narrowed the defence (Wallentin-Hermann C-549/07; C-28/20). Airlines often cite 'extraordinary circumstances' regardless, so a borderline verdict in the checker means you may still need to dispute it.
- Does EU261 still apply after Brexit?
- Yes — through two parallel regimes. Any flight departing an EU/EEA airport is covered by EU261 whatever the airline's nationality, and any flight arriving in the EU/EEA on an EU/EEA carrier is also covered. The UK retained the regulation as UK261 (in force as retained EU law), which covers flights departing the UK and flights arriving in the UK on a UK or EU carrier. The checker applies whichever regime governs your route.
- I was offered a refund or a rebooking — can I still claim compensation?
- Yes. Article 7 fixed compensation is separate from your right to a refund or re-routing under Article 8 and your right to care (meals, accommodation) under Article 9. Accepting a rebooking does not waive the compensation, and the amount does not depend on the fare you paid. The only thing that reduces it is the Article 7(2) 50% cut for long-haul delays of 3 to 4 hours, which the checker applies automatically.
- How long do I have to claim, and how do I do it?
- Time limits vary by the country whose courts hear the case — typically a few years, and up to six years for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Start by writing to the airline citing Article 7 and the amount owed (the checker drafts a template letter for you). If the airline refuses or ignores you, escalate to the relevant National Enforcement Body or the small-claims court. No-win-no-fee claim services will do this for a commission of roughly 20–30%.