How to Claim EU 261 Compensation After a Flight Delay or Cancellation

EU 261 is a European regulation that protects passengers when flights are delayed, cancelled or overbooked. To qualify, your flight must either depart from an EU airport or be operated by an EU carrier. This means that flights on Air Dolomiti and other Lufthansa Group airlines generally qualify, even when departing from non‑EU airports【924425246852700†L1006-L1034】.

You must have a confirmed reservation and check in on time to be eligible【924425246852700†L1040-L1050】. Passengers traveling on free or non‑public fares may be excluded. If you voluntarily accept a voucher or are rebooked on a later flight, compensation may not be payable.

Compensation for cancellations depends on distance and notice. For flights cancelled less than 14 days before departure, you may receive €250 (about $269) for flights under 1,500 km, €400 (about $431) for flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km or within the EU, and €600 (about $646) for longer flights【924425246852700†L1086-L1105】.

For delays, the amount depends on both the delay length and distance. You may receive €250 for delays of two hours on flights under 1,500 km, €400 for delays of three hours on flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km, and €600 for delays of four hours or more on longer flights【924425246852700†L1095-L1123】. If a delay exceeds five hours, you can ask for a refund of the unused portion of your ticket【924425246852700†L1095-L1123】.

Beyond financial compensation, airlines must provide care during extended delays: meals and refreshments, communication, and hotel accommodation when overnight stays are necessary【924425246852700†L1143-L1162】. Collect receipts and document interactions with airline staff, as these records support your claim.

To file a claim, contact the airline directly with your flight details, receipts and a concise description of the disruption. If the airline denies your claim without justification, you can appeal to the relevant national enforcement body or use an alternative dispute resolution service. Our agents can guide you through the process and ensure all paperwork is properly completed. For the full text of the regulation, see Regulation (EC) 261/2004, and feel free to contact us via our contact page if you need help interpreting it.

Sources:

  1. EU 261 eligibility and coverage【924425246852700†L1006-L1034】【924425246852700†L1040-L1050】
  2. Compensation amounts for cancellations and delays【924425246852700†L1086-L1105】【924425246852700†L1095-L1123】
  3. Passenger rights to care during delays【924425246852700†L1143-L1162】