Delayed flight compensation - when you are entitled and how much you can receive

If you arrive at your final destination 3 hours or more late, you may claim compensation of €250, €400 or €600 per person under Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, unless the delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances. The amount depends primarily on the distance travelled, rather than on the duration of the delay or the price of the ticket. The Regulation applies to flights departing from the EU, as well as to flights arriving in the EU from a third country, when operated by an EU air carrier. The same rules apply to Iceland, Norway and Switzerland.

In brief:

Compensation for a delayed flight under Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 is €250, €400 or €600 per passenger, depending on the flight distance.
The right to compensation arises upon arrival at the final destination with a delay of 3 hours or more.
The delay on arrival is determined at the moment when at least one of the aircraft’s doors is opened and passengers are permitted to disembark, rather than by the time of take-off or landing.
The airline is not liable for compensation if it proves that the delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances which it could not have avoided even if it had taken all reasonable measures.
In the event of a departure delay of 2, 3 or 4 hours, depending on the distance, the airline is obliged to provide care – food, drinks and, if necessary, hotel accommodation – regardless of the reason.
The time limit for claiming compensation for a delayed flight in Bulgaria is 3 years.

When are you entitled to compensation for a delayed flight?

You are entitled to compensation under Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 when all of the following conditions are met:

you arrived at your final destination 3 hours or more late;
you have a confirmed booking for the flight and presented yourself at the airport on time;
the flight departs from an EU airport (with any airline) or lands in the EU with an EU airline;
the delay was not caused by extraordinary circumstances which the airline could not have avoided even if it had taken all reasonable measures.

The right to compensation for a delayed flight applies to scheduled, low-cost and charter flights alike. It does not matter whether you are flying with a traditional or a low-cost airline such as Wizz Air, Ryanair or easyJet.

If your flight is not covered by Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, other rules may apply – for example, UK261 in the United Kingdom or SHY-YOLCU (SHY-PASSENGER) in Turkey.

What happens if you miss a connecting flight because of a delay?

When connecting flights are part of a single booking, the delay is calculated based on the time you arrive at your final destination. You may be entitled to compensation even if the first flight was delayed by less than 3 hours, provided that, as a result of the missed connection, you arrived at your final destination 3 hours or more late (judgment of the Court of Justice of the EU in Case C-11/11).

If the flights were booked as separate reservations, they are usually treated as separate journeys and different rules apply. See in detail when you are entitled to compensation for a missed connection.

When is the airline not liable to pay compensation for a delayed flight?

The airline is not liable to pay compensation if the delay is caused by extraordinary circumstances. An extraordinary circumstance is an event which is not inherent in the airline’s normal operations, is beyond its effective control and could not have been avoided even if the carrier had taken all reasonable measures.

What circumstances may constitute ‘extraordinary circumstances’ in the event of a flight delay?

Extraordinary circumstances in the event of a flight delay may include, for example:

a strike by airport staff or air traffic controllers;
severe weather conditions that prevent the flight from being operated safely;
bird strikes on the aircraft;
restrictions or decisions by air traffic control;
security risks, acts of terrorism or political instability.

However, the mere existence of an extraordinary circumstance does not automatically exempt the airline from its obligation to pay compensation for a delayed flight – the circumstance must have caused the delay to that specific flight and its consequences must not have been avoidable by taking all reasonable measures.

It is up to the airline to prove that the delay was due to an extraordinary circumstance. Claims of extraordinary circumstances often prove to be unfounded, which is why each specific case warrants individual scrutiny.

Which causes of delay are not usually considered extraordinary circumstances?

As a general rule, an airline cannot be exempted from its obligation to pay compensation solely on the grounds of:

technical faults with the aircraft, including unexpected ones, where these are related to its normal operation;
a lack or shortage of crew;
organisational and operational problems at the airline;
a strike by the airline’s own staff – this forms part of the carrier’s normal operations (judgments of the Court of Justice of the EU in Cases C-195/17 and C-28/20).

Even an unexpected technical problem does not, in principle, exempt the airline if it is linked to and arises from the normal operation of the aircraft (judgment of the Court of Justice of the EU in Case C-257/14).

How is the reason for the flight delay verified?

The reason given by the airline does not, in itself, determine whether a passenger is entitled to compensation. Where the carrier cites a circumstance that may constitute an extraordinary event – such as severe weather conditions, air traffic restrictions or an airport closure – the claim must be verified in relation to the specific flight.

Depending on the reason given for the flight delay, the assessment may include:

whether the circumstance cited by the airline actually occurred;
whether there were restrictions at the relevant airport or imposed by air traffic control;
whether there is a genuine causal link between the stated circumstance and the specific delay;
whether the airline took all reasonable measures to avoid or minimise the delay.

When investigating each case of a delayed flight, Aeroisk analyses the evidence and circumstances surrounding the specific flight and assesses them against the applicable regulations and case law. The assessment must establish not only whether the event in question occurred, but also whether it actually exempts the airline from its obligation to pay compensation for that specific flight.

The same event does not necessarily mean the same right to compensation for a delay for all affected flights. For example, in the event of air traffic restrictions at an airport, the airline may not be liable to pay compensation for a flight delayed specifically because of those restrictions, but may be liable to pay compensation for a flight delayed due to a lack of crew.

How much is the compensation under Regulation (EC) No 261/2004?

The amount of compensation depends on the distance between the first and the final airport of the journey and does not depend on the ticket price:

€250 - for flights of up to 1,500 km;
€400 - for flights over 1,500 km and up to 3,500 km, and for all flights within the EU of more than 1,500 km;
€600 - for flights of more than 3,500 km that are not entirely within the EU.

In certain cases, the compensation amount may be reduced by 50%, depending on the arrival delay and the conditions of re-routing.

Compensation amount by flight distance - €250, €400 or €600

€250 ≤ 1,500 km

€400 1,500 - 3,500 km

€600 > 3,500 km (not entirely within the EU)

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How much compensation is payable for a delayed flight on specific routes?

The examples below show how distance affects the amount of compensation. Entitlement to compensation also depends on the other conditions set out in Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 – in the case of a delayed flight, it arises when you arrive at your final destination 3 hours or more late.

Route	Distance	Passenger compensation
Varna – Vienna	approx. 1,030 km	€250
Burgas – London	approx. 2,330 km	€400
Sofia – Tenerife	approx. 3,930 km	€400 (route within the EU)
Sofia – Malé (Maldives)	approx. 6,530 km	€600

If the flight is not entirely within the EU, the distance is over 3,500 km and you arrive 3 or more, but less than 4 hours late, the compensation may be €300 instead of €600.

How long do you have to claim compensation for a delayed flight?

At present, Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 does not set a single European deadline for submitting a claim for compensation to the airline. The deadline by which you can pursue your claim through the courts is determined by the applicable national law. For flights covered by other schemes, such as UK261 in the United Kingdom or SHY-YOLCU in Turkey, the relevant national time limits apply.

Limitation periods by country

In Bulgaria, the time limit is 3 years. In other countries, it may be shorter or considerably longer.

Country	Limitation period
Bulgaria	3 years
Germany	3 years
France	5 years
Italy	2 years*
Spain	5 years
Netherlands	2 years
Austria	3 years
Greece	5 years
Romania	3 years
England and Wales	6 years
Turkey	2 years

* Italian case law is not uniform: courts have also applied limitation periods of 6 months and 1 year.

The applicable time limit depends on the route, the airline and the national law applicable to the specific case. If you are unsure which time limit applies to your flight, it is safest to have the case checked on an individual basis.

From 23 October 2027, a claim must be submitted to the airline within 9 months (see all changes).

What other rights do you have in the event of a delayed flight?

In the event of a delayed flight, you are also entitled to care from the airline. The right to care applies regardless of the reason for the delay – including in extraordinary circumstances where financial compensation may not be payable.

When are you entitled to care in the event of a delayed flight?

The right to care arises when the departure delay reaches 2, 3 or 4 hours, depending on the flight distance:

Flight distance	Example	Delay after which the right to care arises
Up to and including 1,500 km	Sofia – Vienna (approx. 800 km)	2 hours or more
Within the EU, over 1,500 km	Sofia – Tenerife (approx. 3,930 km)	3 hours or more
All other flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km	Sofia – London (approx. 2,050 km)	3 hours or more
All other flights over 3,500 km	Sofia – Malé (approx. 6,530 km)	4 hours or more

The right to care includes:

food and drink, appropriate to the duration of the delay;
hotel accommodation and free transport between the airport and the place of accommodation, where necessary for one or more nights;
two free telephone calls, faxes or emails.

If the airline fails to provide you with the necessary care and you pay these costs yourself, you may claim a refund. The costs must be necessary, appropriate and reasonable. Keep your receipts and invoices, as they are required when submitting your claim for a refund.

What should you do at the airport if your flight is delayed?

Even if you have been notified of the delay, turn up for check-in at the originally scheduled time and follow the airline’s boarding instructions.

While you are waiting:

ask the airline for information on the reason for and the expected duration of the delay;
keep your booking confirmation, boarding pass and all communications received from the airline;
when the delay reaches 2, 3 or 4 hours, depending on the flight distance, contact the airline and request the care to which you are entitled – food and drink, and, if necessary, hotel accommodation and transport;
if the airline fails to provide the necessary care and you pay these costs yourself, keep the receipts and invoices.

Your booking confirmation, boarding pass, communications from the airline and receipts may be required when subsequently submitting a claim for compensation and reimbursement of expenses incurred.

What can you do if your flight is delayed by 5 hours or more?

If your flight is delayed by 5 hours or more on departure and you decide not to travel, you are entitled to a refund of the ticket price for the unused part of the journey. If the part of the journey you have already completed is no longer relevant to your original plan, you may also request a refund for that part, as well as a return flight to your original point of departure at the earliest opportunity.

What information must the airline provide you with if your flight is delayed?

In the event of a delay of 2 hours or more, the airline is obliged to provide each affected passenger with written notification of the rules on compensation and care under Regulation (EC) No 261/2004. The absence of a written notice does not affect your right to compensation and care.

What changes under the new EU Regulation regarding delayed flights?

Regulation (EU) 2026/2202 has already been adopted but will apply from 23 October 2027.

9 months to claim compensation. The claim must be submitted to the airline within 9 months of the flight date shown on the ticket. The time limit for bringing a legal claim continues to be determined by national law.
30 days for the airline to respond. Once the airline has received your claim, it has 30 calendar days to pay the compensation or send you a reasoned refusal.
Over 3 hours instead of at least 3 hours. The new rules will provide compensation for delays of over 3 hours. Currently, a delay of exactly 3 hours is sufficient.

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We handle the whole process
We communicate with the airline and take the necessary action, including when the airline has refused to pay or the case is more complex.

How does the process of collecting your compensation work?

You register a claim

You enter the flight details and provide the necessary documents.

Aeroisk takes the case

We contact the airline and pursue the claim on your behalf. If it refuses to pay, we take the necessary administrative and legal action.

You receive up to €600 in compensation

If successful, the airline pays the compensation. A commission is only due if you receive compensation.

You can follow the progress of your claim in your personal account, and we email you whenever there is a change in your case. If you have any questions, you can always contact us by phone too.

Did the airline refuse to pay you?

The airline’s refusal does not necessarily mean that you are not entitled to compensation. The reason given in the refusal is not always sufficient to release the airline from liability.

See why airlines refuse to pay compensation and how you can proceed.

Sources and updates

The information has been prepared by the Aeroisk team, which specialises in protecting passenger rights and collecting compensation for disrupted flights.

Reneta Yovkova is responsible for keeping the legal information up to date.

Legal basis and sources: Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 and its official summary on EUR-Lex; Regulation (EU) 2026/2202 amending Regulation (EC) No 261/2004; Interpretative Guidelines of the European Commission C/2024/5687 on Regulation (EC) No 261/2004; the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union, including the judgments in joined cases C-402/07 and C-432/07 (Sturgeon and Others and Böck and Lepuschitz), C-549/07 (Wallentin-Hermann), C-257/14 (van der Lans), C-11/11 (Folkerts), C-452/13 (Germanwings), C-12/11 (McDonagh), C-139/11 (Moré), C-474/22 (Laudamotion), C-315/15 (Pešková), C-195/17 (TUIfly) and C-28/20 (SAS), as well as the order in case C-756/18 (easyJet); Directive (EU) 2015/2302 on package travel and linked travel arrangements; the judgments of the Tribunal of Bologna No 2654/2025 and the Tribunal of Palermo No 4910/2025; the passenger rights regime in the United Kingdom known as UK261; the Turkish Passenger Rights Regulation SHY-YOLCU (SHY-PASSENGER).

Current as of: 20 October 2026

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Frequently Asked Questions

How is the delay calculated - by the time of departure or of landing?

To calculate the duration of the delay, the time of arrival at the final destination is used, rather than the delay at take-off. The time of arrival is deemed to be the moment when at least one of the aircraft’s doors opens and passengers are permitted to disembark, rather than the moment the aircraft touches down on the runway (judgment of the Court of Justice of the EU in Case C-452/13).

I was told my flight will be delayed. Can I go to the airport later?

As a general rule, no. You must arrive in good time for check-in and boarding according to the time specified by the airline – the delay notification does not in itself change this time, unless you have been given new instructions. This also applies if you have checked in online: you must be at the airport on time. If you do not arrive on time, the airline may refuse to pay compensation, regardless of how late the flight is.

Is compensation for a delayed flight also due for a child?

Yes. If compensation is due for the flight, a child with a ticket issued at the standard or child fare receives the same amount as an adult – €250, €400 or €600, depending on the distance.

Is delayed flight compensation due for an infant travelling on a parent's lap?

Practice is not uniform. When the infant has no seat of its own and is entered on the parent's ticket, airlines usually refuse compensation, but there are court decisions in favour of passengers. The right to compensation for an infant without its own seat is assessed individually.

My flight was delayed, but I did not keep my boarding pass. Can I claim compensation?

Yes. Not having a boarding pass does not, in itself, deprive you of the right to compensation for a delayed flight. If you have a confirmed booking, you may provide your booking confirmation, e-ticket or another document issued by the carrier. The airline cannot refuse compensation solely because you do not have a boarding pass, unless it proves that you did not travel on the flight (order of the Court of Justice of the EU in Case C-756/18).

My flight was part of a trip or holiday booked with a tour operator. Am I entitled to delayed flight compensation?

Yes, under the same conditions as for any other flight. Compensation is payable by the airline that operated the flight, regardless of whether the ticket was purchased separately or as part of a package holiday. Compensation under Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 and any compensation or price reduction received from the tour operator for the same consequences of the delay are offset against each other to prevent overcompensation (Article 14(5) of Directive (EU) 2015/2302).

I travelled on a charter flight. Does the right to compensation apply?

Yes, you may be entitled to compensation. Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 makes no exception for charter flights - the same conditions apply as for scheduled flights: a flight from an airport in the EU or a flight to the EU operated by an EU carrier, and arrival 3 or more hours late. The type of flight and the channel through which the ticket was bought do not change the right to compensation.

While I was waiting for my flight, the airline gave me food and drinks. Do I lose my right to delayed flight compensation?

No. Meals and refreshments are part of your right to care, which the airline owes in the event of a delay regardless of its cause. The care provided does not replace financial compensation - if the conditions for compensation are met, you can claim it even though the airline provided you with food and drinks.