Guide
Flight delay and cancellation claim guide
Flight delayed, cancelled or overbooked? See which published compensation rules may apply (EU261, UK261, Canada's APPR and US rules), the amounts and deadlines, where to file, and wording you can edit and send yourself.
We are not lawyers. This is legal information, not legal advice. We do not file, send or negotiate anything for you, we cannot tell you that you are owed money, and we are not liable for how you use this guide. The airline and the regulator decide. Read the disclaimer.
Why this guide exists.
Most of these figures come from AirHelp, a company that sells claims services, so it has an interest. They are the best published numbers we found, and each one links to its source.
of passengers in Europe who may be entitled to compensation do not make a claim, according to AirHelp, a claims company.
Source: IT Brief, 24 Aug 2026of claims AirHelp judged eligible were first rejected by airlines in its latest data, up from 52% in 2024. In 2024 more than a quarter of rejections were no reply at all.
Source: ITIJ, 6 Sep 2026, AirHelp blogof airlines tell passengers about their rights during a disruption, according to AirHelp.
Source: IT Brief, 24 Aug 2026is the service fee AirHelp lists, plus 15% more if legal action is needed. Claims companies take a share of the payout so the passenger does not have to chase it.
Source: AirHelp feesChecked 02 Oct 2026. Rules and figures change, and the table further down shows what is in force.
Your path
- Answer the questions below and press Show my path.
- See which published rules may apply, the amounts, the deadlines, and where to file.
- Copy and edit the wording, then send it yourself.
The rules behind the guide.
Official sources are labelled in the status column. Where we could only find secondary reports, the status says Unconfirmed. Checked 02 Oct 2026.
| Rule | Status | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Canada, APPRAccording to the Canadian Transportation Agency, these rules cover flights to, from and within Canada. Compensation for delays and cancellations applies when the cause is fully within the airline's control and not required for safety, you were told 14 days or less before departure, and you arrive 3 or more hours late. Large airlines: C$400, C$700 and C$1,000 at 3, 6 and 9 hours. Small airlines: C$125, C$250 and C$500. A claim goes to the airline in writing within one year. It is not available if you already received compensation for the same disruption under another country's rules.Sources: Canadian Transportation Agency | In force | 01 Oct 2026 |
| United States, denied boardingAccording to the US Department of Transportation, involuntary denied boarding on an oversold flight pays 200% of the one-way fare (airlines may cap it at $1,075) or 400% (capped at $2,150), depending on how late you arrive. It applies to domestic flights and international flights leaving the US.Sources: US Department of Transportation, bumping and oversales | In force | 01 Oct 2026 |
| United States, refunds and delaysAccording to secondary sources, there is no federal fixed payment for a delayed flight, and a cash refund is available if the airline cancels or significantly changes your flight and you choose not to travel. The 3 hour domestic and 6 hour international thresholds come from those sources, so confirm them on the official site.Sources: US Department of Transportation, Fly Rights | Unconfirmed | 01 Oct 2026 |
| European Union, Regulation 261/2004According to Your Europe, EU rules apply to flights within the EU on any airline, flights from the EU to a non-EU country on any airline, and flights into the EU from outside it on an EU airline. You are entitled to compensation if you arrive 3 or more hours late, unless the delay was due to extraordinary circumstances. According to FIA Region I, the amounts are €250 up to 1,500 km, €400 up to 3,500 km and €600 beyond. Time limits to claim depend on the country.Sources: Your Europe, air passenger rights, FIA Region I, 16 Jun 2026 | In force | 02 Oct 2026 |
| European Union, reform of Regulation 261According to the Centre for Aviation, the European Parliament approved a reform on 7 July 2026 by 646 votes to 12. It keeps the 3 hour threshold. Reported changes include nine months to file a request and 30 days for airlines to pay or explain. New rules are expected to apply from the second half of 2027, and today's rules apply until then. Reports differ on whether the lowest amount stays at €250 or moves to €300.Sources: Centre for Aviation, 7 Jul 2026, SkyRefund, FIA Region I, 16 Jun 2026 | Scheduled | 01 Oct 2026 |
| United Kingdom, UK261 scope and amountsAccording to the UK Civil Aviation Authority, UK law covers flights leaving a UK airport on any airline, flights arriving at a UK airport on an EU or UK airline, and flights arriving at an EU airport on a UK airline. For delays of more than three hours at your destination airport, the amounts are £220 under 1,500 km, £350 from 1,500 to 3,500 km, and over 3,500 km £260 for 3 to 4 hours late or £520 for more than 4 hours. Cancellations and denied boarding have lower tiers (£110, £175, £260) when you arrive less late, and cancellations depend on how much notice you had.Sources: UK Civil Aviation Authority, delays, UK Civil Aviation Authority, cancellations, UK Civil Aviation Authority, denied boarding | In force | 02 Oct 2026 |
| United Kingdom, how to claim and escalateAccording to the UK Civil Aviation Authority, compensation is not paid automatically and you claim from the airline first, often using its claim form. Some airlines will not deal with claims made through claims companies and want them submitted directly. If you are not satisfied with the final response, or the airline takes more than eight weeks, you can escalate to an approved alternative dispute resolution body, or to the CAA's Passenger Advice and Complaints Team if the airline is not signed up to one. The pages we read do not state a time limit for claims.Sources: UK Civil Aviation Authority, delays, UK Civil Aviation Authority, claiming for costs and compensation | In force | 02 Oct 2026 |
| United Kingdom, extraordinary circumstancesAccording to the UK Civil Aviation Authority, no compensation is due where the cause was an extraordinary circumstance. The main categories likely to qualify are weather incompatible with safe flying, strikes unrelated to the airline, terrorism or sabotage, security risks, political or civil unrest, and hidden manufacturing defects. It says court rulings have generally not treated ordinary technical faults as extraordinary. If you are unsure, you can claim and the airline should explain the reason it relies on.Sources: UK Civil Aviation Authority, am I entitled to compensation | In force | 02 Oct 2026 |
| United Kingdom, care and expensesAccording to the UK Civil Aviation Authority, airlines must provide care whatever the cause once a delay passes 2 hours (flights under 1,500 km), 3 hours (1,500 to 3,500 km) or 4 hours (over 3,500 km): food and drink, two phone calls or emails, and a hotel with transport if overnight. If the airline does not, you may make reasonable arrangements and claim the cost back. Keep itemised receipts, because airlines are unlikely to accept alcohol or luxury hotels. A delay of at least five hours lets you choose a refund instead of travelling.Sources: UK Civil Aviation Authority, delays, UK Civil Aviation Authority, cancellations | In force | 02 Oct 2026 |
| United Kingdom, separate bookingsAccording to the UK Civil Aviation Authority, if your journey is made of separate bookings, sometimes called self-transfer, you do not have a statutory right to care, compensation or transport to your last destination if a delay makes you miss a flight. The entitlements for each individual flight still apply. On a single booking, your rights are based on the distance between the first and last airport.Sources: UK Civil Aviation Authority, delays | In force | 02 Oct 2026 |
What this does not do.
It does not decide whether you are owed anything. Whether the cause was within the airline's control or an extraordinary circumstance is for the airline, and then the regulator or a court, to decide.
It does not file, send or negotiate a claim, and it does not use your flight data to check what really happened. You keep the evidence and you send the wording.
Claims companies exist for people who would rather hand the work over, and they keep a share of any payout. You are free to claim directly, and the official pages above are free to use.
Nothing you type is sent or saved. The site records only that the guide was used, through Google Analytics, as described in the privacy policy.
Terms used on this page.
- APPR
- Canada's Air Passenger Protection Regulations, which cover flights to, from and within Canada.
- EU261
- Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, the EU rule on compensation and care for delayed, cancelled and overbooked flights.
- UK261
- The UK's version of EU261, which applies to flights leaving the UK and some flights arriving in the UK or EU.
- Denied boarding
- Being refused a seat on a flight you booked, usually because it is oversold. Also called being bumped.
- Extraordinary circumstances
- Causes outside the airline's control, such as severe weather or unrelated strikes, which can excuse an airline from paying compensation.
- Care and assistance
- Food and drink, communication, and a hotel with transport while you wait. It is separate from compensation.
- ADR
- Alternative dispute resolution, an approved independent body that reviews a complaint the airline has not resolved.
Flight compensation questions, answered.
Short answers, each tied to its source. These are published rules, not advice about your case.
How late must a flight be for compensation?
According to the Canadian Transportation Agency, Canadian rules apply when you arrive 3 or more hours late and the cause is within the airline's control and not required for safety. According to Your Europe, EU rules apply at 3 hours or more at your final destination. According to the UK Civil Aviation Authority, UK rules apply when you arrive more than three hours late. The US has no fixed payment for a late flight.
Sources: Canadian Transportation Agency, Your Europe, air passenger rights, UK Civil Aviation Authority, delaysHow much flight delay compensation is published?
According to the Canadian Transportation Agency: C$400, C$700 or C$1,000 at 3, 6 and 9 hours for large airlines, and C$125, C$250 or C$500 for small airlines. EU amounts are €250, €400 or €600 by distance. According to the UK Civil Aviation Authority: £220, £350 or £520 by distance, with £260 for a 3 to 4 hour delay on flights over 3,500 km.
Sources: Canadian Transportation Agency, Your Europe, air passenger rights, UK Civil Aviation Authority, delaysDo I claim from the airline or from the regulator?
According to the Canadian Transportation Agency and the UK Civil Aviation Authority, you claim from the airline first, in writing. In Canada you can go to the regulator if the airline does not answer within 30 days. In the UK you can escalate if the airline takes more than eight weeks or you disagree with its final answer.
Sources: Canadian Transportation Agency, UK Civil Aviation Authority, claiming for costs and compensationWhat counts as extraordinary circumstances?
According to the UK Civil Aviation Authority, the main categories likely to qualify include weather incompatible with safe flying, strikes unrelated to the airline, terrorism or sabotage, security risks, political or civil unrest, and hidden manufacturing defects. It says UK and EU court rulings have generally not treated ordinary technical faults as extraordinary. The airline has to explain the reason it relies on.
Sources: UK Civil Aviation Authority, am I entitled to compensationCan I get my food and hotel costs back while I wait?
According to the UK Civil Aviation Authority, airlines must provide food and drink, two calls or emails, and a hotel with transport if you are delayed overnight, whatever the cause. If the airline does not, you can arrange reasonable care yourself and claim the cost back. Keep itemised receipts, because airlines are unlikely to accept alcohol or luxury hotels. Your Europe also lists meals, hotel accommodation and communication facilities as EU rights.
Sources: UK Civil Aviation Authority, delays, Your Europe, air passenger rightsWhat if my connection was on a separate booking?
According to the UK Civil Aviation Authority, if your journey is made of separate bookings, sometimes called self-transfer, you do not have a statutory right to care, compensation or onward transport under UK rules if a delay makes you miss a flight. The rights for each individual flight still apply.
Sources: UK Civil Aviation Authority, delaysIs there a time limit to claim?
According to the Canadian Transportation Agency, you have one year to claim from the airline in writing. According to Your Europe, time limits depend on the country where a claim would be brought. The UK Civil Aviation Authority pages we read do not state a time limit, so check the one that applies to you.
Sources: Canadian Transportation Agency, Your Europe, air passenger rights, UK Civil Aviation Authority, claiming for costs and compensationWhat about being bumped from an oversold flight in the US?
According to the US Department of Transportation, involuntary denied boarding on an oversold flight pays 200% of the one-way fare (airlines may cap it at $1,075) or 400% (capped at $2,150), depending on how late you arrive. It applies to domestic flights and international flights leaving the US.
Sources: US Department of Transportation, bumping and oversales