EU261 / UK261 Flight Compensation: The Free DIY Claim Guide
8 min read • Updated 2026-08-28 • Free forever
📋 In this guide
If your flight arrived at its final destination 3+ hours late, was cancelled with less than 14 days' notice, or you were denied boarding — and the cause was within the airline's control — EU Regulation 261/2004 (and UK261 for UK departures) owes you €250–600 in cash. Airlines pay out billions less than they owe, because most passengers never claim. Here's how to claim yourself, for free, keeping 100% of the money.
How much is your flight worth?
| Distance | Delay 3h+ / Cancelled |
|---|---|
| Under 1,500 km | €250 |
| 1,500–3,500 km | €400 |
| Over 3,500 km (non-EU destination) | €600 |
Check your exact amount in 30 seconds with our free EU261 compensation checker — it also generates a ready-to-send claim letter.
Which flights are covered?
- Any flight departing from an EU/UK airport (any airline, including US/Asian carriers).
- Flights arriving in the EU/UK when operated by an EU/UK airline.
- Not covered: government strikes, extreme weather, ATC restrictions — the "extraordinary circumstances" defence. Technical faults, crew shortages and most overbooking DO count in your favour.
Claims companies take 20–35%. You don't need them.
Claims agencies win cases like yours daily and keep up to a third of your money for 10 minutes of form-filling. The DIY process is genuinely simple:
- Confirm eligibility — use the checker to verify your route, delay and amounts.
- Write to the airline — quote "Regulation (EC) No 261/2004" (or UK261), include booking reference, flight number, date, and the delay/cancellation facts. State the amount owed and a 14-day response deadline. Send via the airline's official complaints channel and keep screenshots.
- Watch the reply window — airlines must acknowledge and often settle within weeks. Lowball voucher offers are common: cash is your right; take a voucher only if it genuinely suits you.
- Escalate for free — if stalled ~2 months, escalate to the airline's national enforcement body and the free Aviation ADR scheme (UK) or the equivalent national body (EU). No lawyer needed.
Deadlines
For disruptions before the 2026 reform, national limitation windows of 2–6 years applied depending on country. The 2026 reform shortens windows for new claims, so check and file early. Old flight? Find your exact window on your national aviation authority's site.
What if the airline says "extraordinary circumstances"?
This is the standard first rejection. Weather, security and ATC strikes are genuine — but "technical problem" and "crew issue" are usually not extraordinary in court precedent. Reply, restate your claim, and escalate. Persistence is how these get paid.