Compensation Amounts Explained (2026)
How is flight delay compensation calculated under EU261 and UK261? The amounts depend on flight distance and delay length — not on your ticket price. Here is the full breakdown.
In this guide
What Determines Your Compensation?
Your compensation amount is determined by two factors: how far you flew, and how late you arrived. It has nothing to do with how much you paid for your ticket.
Increases Compensation
- ↑ Longer flight distance
- ↑ Longer delay at arrival
- ↑ More passengers in your group
Reduces or Removes Compensation
- ↓ Extraordinary circumstances proven
- ↓ Arrival within 2-4 hours (50% reduction on re-routed flights)
- ↓ Delay under 3 hours at final destination
Flight Distance
Measured as the great-circle distance between your departure airport and final destination. Three bands: up to 1,500 km, 1,500–3,500 km, and over 3,500 km.
Delay Duration
Measured at your final destination, not at departure. You must arrive 3 or more hours later than scheduled to qualify for compensation. A 5-hour departure delay that results in only a 2-hour arrival delay does not qualify.
Flight Type
EU261 applies to flights departing from EU airports (or arriving in the EU on EU airlines). UK261 applies to flights departing from UK airports (or arriving in the UK on UK airlines). Same rules, different currency.
Extraordinary Circumstances
If the airline can prove the delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances beyond its control — and that it took all reasonable measures — compensation is not payable. See our Extraordinary Circumstances Guide for details.
Compensation by Flight Distance & Delay
This is the core table. Your compensation depends on which distance band your flight falls into, and whether you arrived 3+ hours late at your final destination.
| Flight Distance | EU261 | UK261 | Delay Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 1,500 km | €250 | £220 | 3+ hours |
| 1,500 – 3,500 km | €400 | £350 | 3+ hours |
| Over 3,500 km | €600 | £520 | 3+ hours |
Every passenger is entitled to compensation independently. A family of four on a long-haul flight delayed by 5 hours could receive 4 × €600 = €2,400.
The 50% Reduction Rule
If the airline offers you an alternative flight (re-routing) and you arrive close to your original arrival time, compensation can be reduced by 50%:
| Distance | Full Amount | Reduced Amount | Arrival Within |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 1,500 km | €250 | €125 | 2 hours |
| 1,500 – 3,500 km | €400 | €200 | 3 hours |
| Over 3,500 km | €600 | €300 | 4 hours |
This reduction only applies when the airline offers you re-routing. It does not apply to delays on your originally booked flight.
How Flight Type Affects Compensation
The regulation that applies depends on where your flight departs and which airline operates it. The compensation structure is the same — the only difference is the currency.
| Flight Type | Regulation | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Departing from an EU airport | EU261 | Euros (€) |
| Arriving in the EU on an EU airline | EU261 | Euros (€) |
| Departing from a UK airport | UK261 | Pounds (£) |
| Arriving in the UK on a UK airline | UK261 | Pounds (£) |
| Non-EU airline arriving in the EU from outside the EU | Not covered | — |
| Non-UK airline arriving in the UK from outside the UK | Not covered | — |
Domestic flights within the EU or UK are covered by the same regulations. A flight from London to Manchester is covered by UK261; a flight from Paris to Lyon is covered by EU261. The distance bands and amounts are the same.
Common Exceptions
Compensation is not payable in every situation. Here are the most common scenarios where claims are rejected — and where they succeed.
No Compensation
- Severe weather directly affecting your flight
- Air traffic control strike
- Airport closure by authorities
- Security threat or terrorism
- Political instability or civil unrest
- Volcanic ash restrictions
- Bird strike (per Pešková ruling)
Compensation Due
- Technical fault or mechanical breakdown
- Crew shortage or sickness
- Staff scheduling error
- Aircraft rotation problem
- Airline staff strike (per Airhelp v SAS)
- Knock-on delay after weather clears
- Maintenance delay
For a detailed explanation of what qualifies, see our Extraordinary Circumstances Guide.
Real Examples
These examples show how compensation maps to real routes. The distance is the great-circle distance between departure and arrival airports.
| Route | Distance | Delay | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| London → Berlin | ~930 km | 3h | €250 |
| London → Paris | ~340 km | 4h | €250 |
| London → Athens | ~2,400 km | 5h | €400 |
| Frankfurt → Tenerife | ~3,230 km | 4h | €400 |
| Paris → New York | ~5,800 km | 4h | €600 |
| London → Dubai | ~5,500 km | 6h | €600 |
Notice: London → Berlin and London → Paris both qualify for €250 because both are under 1,500 km — even though the distances are very different. The regulation uses distance bands, not exact kilometres.
How To Maximise Your Compensation
Many passengers leave money on the table by making avoidable mistakes. Here is how to make sure you get the full amount you are entitled to.
Save Your Boarding Pass
Your boarding pass is the single most important piece of evidence. Without it, the airline may dispute that you were on the flight. Take a photo of it as soon as you board — before you lose it.
Record The Actual Arrival Time
Compensation is based on when you arrived, not when you departed. Screenshot the airport arrival board, take a photo of the clock when you land, or save any airline notifications about the delay. The difference between a 2h 50m delay and a 3h 05m delay is the difference between €0 and €600 on a long-haul flight.
Request The Disruption Reason In Writing
Ask airline staff at the airport why the flight is delayed, and ask for it in writing. If they say "technical issue" or "crew shortage," that is evidence in your favour. If they say "weather," you can verify that independently later.
Do Not Accept Vouchers Automatically
Airlines may offer travel vouchers as compensation. You are not required to accept them. Vouchers often have expiry dates and restrictions. Cash compensation is a legal right — you can insist on it.
Claim For Every Passenger
Compensation is per passenger. If you travelled with family or colleagues, each person is entitled to the full amount. A family of four on a €600 route is entitled to €2,400 — not €600 total.
Use A Claim Package
Our claim packages include airline-specific letter templates, court citation references, and escalation guidance. They are designed for passengers who want to claim directly — keeping 100% of the compensation — rather than paying a claim company 30-50%.
Related Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
How is my compensation calculated?
Can multiple delays be combined?
Does UK261 differ from EU261?
What if the airline offers vouchers instead of cash?
Does every passenger on the flight get the same amount?
What is the 50% reduction rule?
Is compensation taxable?
Can I claim compensation for a connecting flight I missed?
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This guide is provided for informational purposes only. FlightClaimGuide does not provide legal advice and recommends seeking independent professional advice for complex legal matters.