The basics of EC 261/2004
EU Regulation 261/2004 is the main piece of legislation that governs passenger rights for flights in Europe. It sets out what airlines must provide — and in some cases pay — when a flight is delayed, cancelled, or when a passenger is denied boarding.
Understanding which flights fall under this regulation is the first step before deciding whether to pursue a claim.
Which flights are covered?
The regulation applies if at least one of the following is true:
- Your flight departed from an EU airport, regardless of the airline's country of origin
- Your flight arrived at an EU airport, and was operated by an EU-based carrier
This means a long-haul flight from New York to Paris operated by Air France would be covered for the Paris leg. A flight from London Heathrow to New York on British Airways would also be covered — the UK maintained equivalent rules after Brexit.
Countries covered
The regulation covers all 27 EU member states, plus:
- Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein (EEA)
- Switzerland (via bilateral agreement)
- The United Kingdom (UK261, largely equivalent to EU261)
What types of disruption may qualify?
Significant delays
If your flight arrives at the final destination more than three hours late, you may be entitled to compensation — provided the delay was not caused by extraordinary circumstances outside the airline's control.
Cancellations
If your flight was cancelled and you were given less than 14 days' notice before departure, you may be entitled to compensation. The exact amount depends on the notice period and whether an alternative flight was offered.
Denied boarding
If you were prevented from boarding due to overbooking or other airline-related reasons, you may be entitled to compensation similar to a cancellation.
How much might you receive?
Compensation amounts under EU261 are fixed by distance:
- €250 — flights up to 1,500 km
- €400 — flights within Europe over 1,500 km, or other flights between 1,500–3,500 km
- €600 — flights over 3,500 km (outside Europe)
Note: these amounts can be reduced by 50% in some circumstances, for example if the airline offered an alternative flight that arrived within a certain timeframe of your original arrival.
What are "extraordinary circumstances"?
This is one of the most contested areas. Airlines are not required to pay compensation if the disruption was caused by extraordinary circumstances that could not have been avoided — even with all reasonable measures.
Examples that have been recognised as extraordinary:
- Severe weather making flight unsafe
- Political instability or security threats
- Air traffic control strikes
- Hidden manufacturing defects discovered during pre-flight checks
Examples that are generally not accepted as extraordinary:
- Technical faults that are part of normal airline operation
- Staff strikes (in most circumstances)
- Scheduling or commercial decisions
What information to gather
If you think your flight may qualify, start collecting:
- Your booking confirmation and ticket number
- The actual departure and arrival times
- Any communications from the airline (texts, emails, gate announcements)
- Boarding passes and receipts for expenses incurred due to the disruption
Next steps
Understanding whether your route and situation qualify is the first step. If you believe your flight falls within the scope of EU261, it may be worth exploring your options with a specialist claim service.
This guide provides general information only and should not be treated as legal advice. Eligibility depends on the specific circumstances of your journey.