Who the regulation applies to
The regulation applies to flights within the EU and flights departing from the EU, and under certain conditions to flights arriving in the EU. It also applies in Iceland, Norway and Switzerland. When a flight arrives in the EU from outside the EU, the regulation generally covers flights by European airlines.
The compensation is paid by the airline operating the flight, even if the ticket was bought from a travel agency or booking site.
The rights also apply to connecting flights when they are booked under the same reservation. In that case, the delay is calculated from arrival at the final destination, not from the delay of an individual leg.
Standard compensation of 250, 400 or 600 euros
If you arrive at your final destination at least three hours late, you are entitled to standard compensation, unless the delay is caused by extraordinary circumstances. The same applies to a cancelled flight if the cancellation was notified less than 14 days before departure, and to a situation where you are denied boarding against your will.
- up to 1 500 km: 250 €
- Intra-EU flights over 1,500 km and other flights of 1,500–3,500 km: €400
- over 3 500 km: 600 € (on flights of over 3 500 km outside the EU, 300 € if the delay is 3–4 hours)
Care while waiting
According to the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority, an airline must provide care when departure is delayed by more than two hours on flights under 1,500 km, more than three hours on medium-haul flights and more than four hours on flights over 3,500 km. Care includes meals and refreshments reasonable in relation to the waiting time, two free phone calls or emails and, if necessary, hotel accommodation with transport.
If the delay is over five hours, you can choose to cancel the flight and get a refund of the ticket price. The refund must be paid within seven days. Keep receipts if you have to buy food or accommodation yourself, and claim the costs afterwards.
Exceptional conditions
Compensation is not paid if the delay is caused by circumstances that could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken. Examples are weather endangering flight safety, security risks and air traffic control decisions. According to the FCCA (KKV), in its decision practice a technical fault in the aircraft is rarely a valid reason for not paying standard compensation, and a strike by the airline's own staff does not release it from the obligation to pay. The airline must prove the extraordinary circumstances.
In addition to the standard compensation, you can claim damages for verified costs caused by the delay, for example an unused train ticket. Distress is not compensated.
How to claim compensation
Act immediately when you learn of a delay or cancellation:
You do not need to claim compensation through a paid claims service; you can make the claim yourself directly to the airline. The Consumer Disputes Board is an out-of-court dispute resolution body that issues recommendations for resolving disputes. The board does not give advice; people are directed to the consumer advisory service of the Competition and Consumer Authority.
- Ask the airline for a written explanation of the cause and record the actual arrival time.
- Make the claim in writing to the airline as soon as possible, usually using the company's online form.
- Attach the booking confirmation, receipts for expenses and your account number.
- If the airline does not respond or rejects your claim, ask for advice from consumer advisory services and, if necessary, take the matter to the Consumer Disputes Board.
Baggage and the status of the reform
For checked baggage the airline's liability is at most 1,519 special drawing rights (from 28.12.2024), about €1,900 according to the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority. Lost or damaged baggage must be reported to the airline in writing within seven days and delayed baggage within 21 days.
On 15.6.2026 the European Parliament and the Council reached a provisional agreement on reforming the regulation. Under the agreement the right to compensation still begins from a delay of over three hours and the amounts are 250, 400 and 600 €. The agreement still has to be confirmed, and its date of entry into force had not been announced in October 2026, so the current rules apply.
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Frequently asked questions
How much compensation do you get for a delayed flight?
250, 400 or 600 € depending on the length of the flight, when you arrive at least three hours late and the cause is not an extraordinary circumstance.
Can you get compensation for a flight delayed because of a technical fault?
Usually yes. According to the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority, a technical fault is rarely a valid reason in decision practice for not paying the standard compensation.
Will compensation change in the EU reform?
In the provisional agreement of June 2026, the limit is still three hours and the amounts €250–600. The reform was not in force in October 2026.
Calculate it yourself
- Flight compensation calculator: compensation for a delayed or cancelled flight · free
- Mileage allowance and daily allowance calculator 2026 · free
Ready-made tools
- Trip budget and packing list · Travel budget per person and an editable packing list
- Complaint and compensation claim templates · Five ready-made letters: flight delay, lost luggage, faulty product, service error and insurance decision
Sources
- Your Europe: Air passenger rights
- KKV: Flight delay
- Consumer Disputes Board: Flights
- CAPA 16.6.2026: EU reaches agreement on EU261 revisions
The article is general information and does not replace the guidance of an authority, a lawyer or an adviser. Check up-to-date information from the sources.