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When does EU261 apply?

EU Regulation 261/2004 protects air passenger rights, but it doesn't apply to all flights. Which airline you fly with, where you travel from and to, and what type of delay or cancellation you experience plays a big role. We explain below.

✈️ Which flights are covered?
You have the right to compensation under EU261 if:

  • You travel from an airport within the EU, regardless of which airline you fly with
  • You travel to an airport within the EU with an EU-based airline
EU in this context includes not only the member states but also Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, and certain regions such as the Azores and Canary Islands.

🕐 Which situations are covered?
EU261 applies if you:

  • Are delayed more than 2 hours upon arrival
  • Have your flight cancelled at short notice (less than 14 days before departure)
  • Are denied boarding despite a valid ticket (e.g., due to overbooking)
For compensation to apply, the delay or problem must be due to something within the airline's control. For example, technical problems, staff shortages, or late aircraft changes. However, EU261 does not apply during extraordinary circumstances such as:
  • Extreme weather
  • Strikes that do not involve the airline's staff
  • Political unrest or security risks
It is up to the airline to show that such factors existed.

Flight distance Minimum delay upon arrival Compensation
Up to 1,500 km 2 hours or more 250 €
1,500 – 3,500 km 3 hours or more 400 €
Over 3,500 km 4 hours or more 600 €

�� Important to know:
- You don't need to be an EU citizen to be covered by the regulation
- Compensation varies between 250 € and 600 € depending on flight distance
- It is the arrival time that counts for delays (not departure)
- You may have the right to meals, hotel, and transport during waiting

When you find yourself in a situation where a flight is having problems – whether it's delay, cancellation, or denied boarding – it's not easy to know what applies. That's why we exist at AirClaimer. We ensure that you get what you are entitled to, without you having to chase information or sit in phone queues with the airline. We handle the entire process for you.