Flight Cancellation Compensation (2026)

Flight cancelled? You may be entitled to up to €600 (£520 under UK261) if the airline cancelled your flight with short notice.

Updated June 202610 minute read

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What Is Flight Cancellation Compensation?

Under EU261 and UK261, passengers may receive compensation when an airline cancels a flight and the cancellation was within the airline's control. This is a fixed payment for the inconvenience caused — it is separate from and in addition to your other rights.

Compensation is separate from:

• Refunds
• Rebooking or re-routing
• Hotel accommodation
• Meals and transport assistance

You may be entitled to all of these at the same time.

Refund ≠ Compensation. A refund returns the cost of your ticket. Compensation is a separate payment for the inconvenience. Many passengers do not realise they can receive both.

Who Can Claim Compensation?

Scenario	Eligible?
Flight cancelled less than 14 days before departure	✅
Flight cancelled more than 14 days before departure	❌
Technical fault	✅
Crew shortage	✅
Aircraft rotation issue	✅
Overbooking	✅
Severe weather	❌
Airport closure	❌
ATC restrictions	❌

How Much Compensation Can You Get?

Flight Distance	EU261	UK261
Up to 1,500 km	€250	£220
1,500 – 3,500 km	€400	£350
Over 3,500 km	€600	£520

Compensation is per passenger. A family of four on a cancelled long-haul flight could claim up to €2,400 (or £2,080 under UK261).

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Real Flight Cancellation Examples

Not sure how much you could claim? Here are real examples based on common routes and the compensation amounts set by EU261 and UK261.

Flight	Distance	EU261	UK261
London → Rome	1,433 km	€250	£220
Paris → Berlin	878 km	€250	£220
Manchester → Athens	2,630 km	€400	£350
London → New York	5,540 km	€600	£520
Amsterdam → Barcelona	1,240 km	€250	£220
Frankfurt → Dubai	4,860 km	€600	£520

These amounts are per passenger. A family of four whose London → New York flight was cancelled could claim up to €2,400 (or £2,080 under UK261).

The 14-Day Cancellation Rule

The most important factor in determining whether you qualify for cancellation compensation is how much notice the airline gave you. The critical threshold is 14 days.

Notice Given	Compensation?
14+ days	❌ No
7–13 days	Usually Yes
Less than 7 days	Usually Yes

14+ days notice

No compensation, but your right to a full refund or re-routing still applies. The airline fulfilled its obligation by giving you sufficient notice.

7–13 days notice

Compensation may still be owed unless the airline offered a replacement flight that departs no more than 2 hours before and arrives no more than 4 hours after your original schedule.

Less than 7 days notice

Compensation is usually payable unless the replacement flight departs no more than 1 hour before and arrives no more than 2 hours after your original schedule.

What If You Accept A Replacement Flight?

Accepting a replacement flight does not automatically remove your compensation rights. This is a common misconception that airlines sometimes exploit.

You can often receive all of the following at the same time:

Rebooking — the airline must get you to your destination
Refund rights — if the replacement is unsuitable
Compensation — for the inconvenience of the cancellation

However, if the replacement flight arrives very close to your original schedule, your compensation may be reduced. For flights over 3,500 km, if the replacement arrives within 3–4 hours of the original time, compensation is reduced by 50%.

When Airlines Must Pay

Technical Problems

Aircraft maintenance issues are generally the airline's responsibility. Routine wear and tear, part failures, and scheduled maintenance that was not completed on time are not extraordinary circumstances.

Crew Shortages

Crew scheduling failures are usually claimable. Sickness, staffing gaps, and rostering errors are operational risks the airline must manage.

Operational Issues

Aircraft rotation and staffing decisions are airline-controlled. If a delay on a previous flight causes your flight to be cancelled, this is the airline's responsibility.

Overbooking

Denied boarding due to overbooking is normally compensable. This is always within the airline's control and is never an extraordinary circumstance.

When Airlines Do NOT Have To Pay

Severe Weather

Extreme weather conditions that make flying unsafe are generally accepted as extraordinary circumstances.

Airport Closure

If the airport is closed due to events beyond the airline's control, compensation is not required.

Security Threats

Genuine security risks that prevent the flight from operating safely.

Political Instability

Civil unrest or political events that make it unsafe or impossible to operate the flight.

Air Traffic Control Restrictions

ATC decisions that are beyond the airline's control, such as airspace closures or flow management restrictions.

Even in these cases, the airline must still offer you a refund or re-routing, plus care and assistance during extended waits.

Common Airline Excuses — And Why They Often Fail

Airlines frequently use the same excuses to avoid paying compensation. Here are the most common ones and the reality behind them.

Airline says: Technical issue

Reality: Most technical faults remain the airline's responsibility. Courts have consistently ruled that routine maintenance and wear-and-tear are inherent to airline operations and do not qualify as extraordinary circumstances (Wallentin-Hermann v Alitalia).

Airline says: Operational reasons

Reality: Operational problems are usually not extraordinary circumstances. Airlines must provide a specific cause — vague "operational reasons" are not sufficient to deny your claim.

Airline says: Crew unavailable

Reality: Crew planning is generally the airline's responsibility. Staffing gaps, scheduling errors, and crew sickness are operational risks the airline must manage. They are not extraordinary.

Why Most Cancellation Claims Fail

Many passengers are entitled to compensation but never receive it. Here are the most common reasons claims fail — and how to avoid them.

Accept airline voucher without reading the terms

Miss the claim deadline in their country

Use the wrong legal basis (e.g. citing consumer law instead of EU261)

Fail to challenge the airline's rejection

Submit incomplete evidence

Our Claim Package Includes

Airline-specific complaint letter

Escalation roadmap

Evidence checklist

Rejection-response strategy

ADR guidance

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Why Travellers Skip Claim Companies

Compensation comparison

Compensation

€600

Claim Company

€390

You lose €210

FlightClaimGuide

€591

You keep €201 more

Typical claim companies charge 25–35% plus VAT. With FlightClaimGuide, you keep 100% of your compensation and pay only a one-time package fee of €8.99.

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How To Claim Flight Cancellation Compensation

Save booking confirmation

Keep your booking reference, e-ticket, and any communication from the airline about the cancellation.

Keep cancellation notice

Note the date and time you were informed of the cancellation. This is critical for the 14-day rule.

Request refund or re-routing

You have the right to choose between a full refund and re-routing to your destination at the earliest opportunity.

Submit compensation claim

File your claim through the airline's website. Cite EU261 or UK261, state the compensation amount, and include your evidence.

Escalate if rejected

If the airline rejects your claim, challenge their reasoning. If they still refuse, escalate to an ADR body or your national enforcement authority.

Use airline-specific claim package

Each airline has different tactics and ADR bodies. An airline-specific claim package with complaint letters and escalation strategies maximises your chances.

Related Compensation Guides

EU261 Compensation Guide

The EU regulation protecting passenger rights.

UK261 Compensation Guide

Post-Brexit passenger rights under UK261.

Missed Connection Compensation

Rights when you miss a connecting flight.

Technical Fault Compensation

Why technical faults are usually not extraordinary.

Weather Delay Compensation

When weather delays qualify for compensation.

Crew Shortage Compensation

Crew shortages are the airline's responsibility.

Airline Rejected My Claim

How to challenge and escalate a rejection.

How Long Compensation Takes

Timeline for receiving your compensation.

Claim Evidence Checklist

What evidence you need to support your claim.

Extraordinary Circumstances

What counts as extraordinary — and what doesn't.

Flight Cancellation Compensation Calculator

Want to know exactly how much you could claim? Enter your flight details and find out in under 2 minutes.

Departure Airport

e.g. London Heathrow

Arrival Airport

e.g. Rome Fiumicino

Airline

e.g. British Airways

Notice Given

e.g. 3 days before

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I claim if my flight was cancelled?

Yes, if your flight was cancelled with less than 14 days' notice and the cancellation was within the airline's control (not caused by extraordinary circumstances), you are entitled to compensation under EU261 or UK261. The amount depends on the flight distance.

How much compensation can I get for a cancelled flight?

Under EU261: €250 for flights up to 1,500 km, €400 for 1,500–3,500 km, and €600 for over 3,500 km. Under UK261: £220, £350, and £520 respectively. These amounts are per passenger.

What if I accepted a replacement flight?

Accepting a replacement flight does not automatically remove your right to compensation. You can receive rebooking, refund rights, and compensation at the same time. However, if the replacement flight arrives very close to your original schedule, your compensation may be reduced.

Can I get both a refund and compensation?

Yes. A refund returns the cost of your ticket. Compensation is a separate payment for the inconvenience caused by the cancellation. These are independent entitlements — you can receive both. Refund ≠ Compensation.

What if the airline says bad weather?

Bad weather can be a genuine extraordinary circumstance, but only if it directly affected your specific flight. If other flights were operating normally at the same airport, the weather excuse may not hold. Ask the airline for specific evidence.

What if my flight was cancelled 15 days before departure?

If the airline gave you 14 or more days' notice, they are generally not required to pay compensation. However, you still have the right to a full refund or re-routing to your destination.

What if the airline offered a voucher?

Accepting a voucher for meals, refreshments, or care and assistance does not waive your right to compensation. Be careful with "voluntary" rebooking vouchers — read the terms before accepting, as some may waive your compensation rights.

Can I claim for a cancelled connecting flight?

Yes, if the connecting flights were booked under a single reservation and the cancellation caused you to arrive at your final destination 3+ hours late. If you booked separate tickets, you can only claim for the individual cancelled flight.

How long do I have to claim?

The limitation period varies: 6 years in the UK (England, Wales, and Northern Ireland), 5 years in France, 3 years in Germany and Spain, and 2 years in Italy. Claim as soon as possible.

What if the airline rejects my claim?

A rejection does not mean your claim is invalid. Airlines routinely reject valid claims. Challenge the decision by addressing their specific reasoning, and if they still refuse, escalate to an ADR body or your national enforcement authority. These services are free.

If my flight is cancelled, do I get a refund and compensation?

Yes, you can receive both. A refund returns the cost of your ticket, while compensation is a separate payment for the inconvenience. These are independent entitlements under EU261 and UK261. Accepting a refund does not waive your right to compensation.

Can I claim compensation for a cancelled connecting flight?

Yes, if the connecting flights were booked under a single reservation and the cancellation caused you to arrive at your final destination 3+ hours late. The compensation is based on the total distance of your journey.

Does a replacement flight affect my compensation?

Accepting a replacement flight does not automatically remove your right to compensation. However, if the replacement arrives very close to your original schedule, your compensation may be reduced by 50% for long-haul flights.

Can airlines offer vouchers instead of cash compensation?

Airlines may offer vouchers, but you are not obligated to accept them. Under EU261 and UK261, you have the right to cash compensation. Vouchers for care and assistance (meals, hotel) are separate and do not affect your compensation rights.

Can I claim for a cancellation due to technical fault?

Yes. Technical faults are generally not considered extraordinary circumstances. Courts have ruled that routine maintenance and wear-and-tear are the airline's responsibility. If your flight was cancelled due to a technical issue, you are likely entitled to compensation.

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