Flight Delay Compensation Calculator
Determine how much airline compensation you are owed under EU Regulation 261/2004 for a delayed, cancelled, or overbooked flight. Enter your route distance, delay length, and reason to see your entitlement instantly.
About this calculator
EU Regulation 261/2004 entitles passengers to fixed compensation when flights are delayed by 3 or more hours, cancelled, or overbooked, provided the disruption is the airline's fault. The compensation amount is set by flight distance: €250 for routes up to 1,500 km, €400 for routes between 1,500 km and 3,500 km, and €600 for routes over 3,500 km. If the cause is an extraordinary circumstance (bad weather, air traffic control strikes), compensation is reduced by 50%. The formula is: Compensation = base_amount × reason_multiplier, where reason_multiplier = 1 for airline fault and 0.5 for extraordinary circumstances, and the entire result equals 0 if the delay is under 3 hours. This calculator helps passengers quickly assess their legal claim before contacting their airline.
How to use
Suppose your 2,000 km flight was delayed by 4 hours due to an airline technical fault. Step 1: Delay = 4 hours ≥ 3 hours, so compensation applies. Step 2: Distance = 2,000 km, which falls in the 1,500–3,500 km band → base amount = €400. Step 3: Reason = airline fault → multiplier = 1. Step 4: Compensation = €400 × 1 = €400. You are entitled to claim €400 per passenger from the airline under EU261.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my flight delay qualifies for EU261 compensation?
Your flight qualifies if it departed from an EU airport, or arrived at an EU airport on an EU-based carrier, and was delayed by at least 3 hours at the final destination. The delay must also be within the airline's control — technical faults and staff shortages typically qualify, while severe weather or air traffic control strikes are classified as extraordinary circumstances and may reduce or eliminate the payout. Always keep your boarding pass and booking confirmation as evidence.
What is the difference between EU261 compensation and a ticket refund?
EU261 fixed compensation (€250–€600) is a penalty paid to the passenger for the inconvenience of the disruption and is separate from any ticket refund. If your flight is cancelled, you are additionally entitled to choose between a full refund of the ticket price or re-routing to your destination. You can claim both the fixed compensation and a refund simultaneously in eligible cancellation scenarios. Compensation is not automatic — you must submit a formal claim to the airline.
Why does flight distance determine the compensation amount rather than ticket price?
EU Regulation 261/2004 uses distance as a proxy for the severity of disruption to a passenger's journey — a longer delay on a longer route causes proportionally greater inconvenience and cost. Ticket price is excluded to prevent airlines from offering cheap fares and then paying only minimal compensation. This fixed-rate system makes claims predictable and easy to enforce without requiring passengers to prove financial losses. The three distance bands (1,500 km, 3,500 km, and beyond) correspond broadly to short-haul, medium-haul, and long-haul routes.