Airdelay Help Guide

Flight Compensation Amounts

Flight compensation amounts can vary depending on your route, flight distance, disruption type, arrival delay, and which passenger-rights rules apply to your journey.

This guide explains why some passengers may be eligible for fixed compensation amounts, why others may not qualify, and what details can affect the amount in a delayed, cancelled, denied boarding, or missed connection claim.

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Flight compensation amounts explained by Airdelay

Flight Compensation Amounts: Quick Answer

Under some passenger-rights rules, flight compensation is a fixed amount based mainly on flight distance and delay at arrival. For example, EU rules commonly use €250, €400, or €600 depending on distance and eligibility. UK rules commonly use £220, £350, or £520, with some long-haul cases depending on how late you arrived.

The exact amount is not based on the ticket price. A low-cost ticket can still lead to compensation if the flight qualifies, while an expensive ticket may not qualify if the disruption was outside the airline’s responsibility.

What Affects Flight Compensation Amounts?

Possible compensation amounts can depend on several details. Airdelay checks these details when reviewing a claim.

Flight Distance

Many compensation systems use distance bands. Short, medium, and long-distance flights may have different fixed amounts.

Distance matters

Arrival Delay

For many delay claims, the key question is how late you arrived at your final destination, not only how late the flight departed.

Final arrival time matters

Route and Rules

EU261, UK261, Turkish passenger-rights rules, or other systems may apply depending on your route, departure airport, destination, and airline.

Rules depend on route

Airline Responsibility

Compensation may depend on whether the disruption was within the airline’s control or caused by extraordinary circumstances.

Reason matters

EU261 Compensation Amounts

For eligible EU261 claims, compensation is usually based on flight distance. These are common fixed amounts under EU passenger-rights rules.

  • €250 for flights of 1,500 km or less
  • €400 for flights over 1,500 km within the EU, and other flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km
  • €600 for flights over 3,500 km

For delay claims, EU guidance focuses on delay at arrival at the final destination. In many cases, the delay must be 3 hours or more, and the airline must not be able to rely on extraordinary circumstances.

UK261 Compensation Amounts

For eligible UK261 claims, compensation amounts are usually shown in pounds sterling. The UK Civil Aviation Authority explains the common delay compensation levels as follows.

  • £220 for flights under 1,500 km
  • £350 for flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km
  • £260 for flights over 3,500 km when arrival delay is between 3 and 4 hours
  • £520 for flights over 3,500 km when arrival delay is 4 hours or more

As with EU-style rules, eligibility still depends on the route, delay length, disruption reason, and whether the airline was responsible.

When Compensation Amounts May Change

The amount shown in a table is not always the final answer. Compensation may be reduced, refused, or not available depending on the situation.

Arrival Delay Was Too Short

If you arrived below the required delay threshold, compensation may not apply even if the flight departed late.

Arrival delay is key

Extraordinary Circumstances

Severe weather, some air traffic control restrictions, airport closures, or safety-related events may affect eligibility.

Airline reason matters

Rerouting or Alternative Flight

In some cancellation or rerouting cases, the final compensation amount may depend on when the replacement flight arrived.

Timing can affect amount

Different Legal Rules

Not every country uses the same fixed compensation amounts. Some routes may be covered by different rules or no fixed compensation system.

Rules vary by journey

Expenses vs Flight Compensation

Flight compensation and expense reimbursement are not always the same thing. Compensation is usually a fixed amount under specific passenger-rights rules. Expenses are costs you had because of the disruption, such as meals, hotel, transport, or communication.

You may sometimes have a right to care or reimbursement even when fixed compensation does not apply. Keep receipts for meals, hotel stays, taxis, train tickets, or other costs caused by the disruption.

Simple Examples

€

Short Flight Delay

A passenger arrives more than 3 hours late on an eligible short flight. The possible amount may be in the lowest distance band.

Example: €250 / £220 band
€€

Medium Distance Flight

A passenger arrives over 3 hours late on an eligible medium-distance flight, and the airline was responsible for the disruption.

Example: €400 / £350 band
€£

Long-Haul Flight

A passenger arrives much later than scheduled on an eligible long-distance flight. The possible amount may be higher, but the exact rules matter.

Example: €600 / up to £520 band

Arrival Delay vs Departure Delay

Learn why final arrival time can matter more than the departure delay when checking compensation.

Read guide →

Documents Needed

See which documents and details may help support your flight compensation claim.

Read guide →

Extraordinary Circumstances

Understand why the airline’s reason for the disruption can affect eligibility.

Read guide →

Refund vs Compensation

Learn the difference between getting your ticket refunded and receiving fixed compensation.

Read guide →

Official Flight Compensation Resources

You can also check official passenger-rights resources for general information. These pages explain legal rules, but your claim still depends on your route, airline, disruption reason, and delay at arrival.

Flight Compensation Amounts FAQ

How much flight compensation can I get?
The amount can depend on the passenger-rights rules that apply, flight distance, arrival delay, disruption type, and airline responsibility. Under EU rules, common fixed amounts are €250, €400, and €600. Under UK rules, common amounts are £220, £350, and up to £520.
Is compensation based on my ticket price?
Usually no. Under EU261 and UK261-style rules, fixed compensation is generally based on distance and eligibility, not on how much you paid for the ticket.
Do I get more compensation if my flight was delayed longer?
Not always. Once the required delay threshold is met, the amount is often based mainly on distance. However, some long-haul UK cases can depend on whether the arrival delay was between 3 and 4 hours or 4 hours or more.
Can compensation be refused?
Yes. Compensation may be refused if the flight was not covered by the relevant rules, if the delay was too short, or if the disruption was caused by extraordinary circumstances outside the airline’s control.
Can I claim expenses and compensation?
They are different things. Fixed compensation may apply only when the legal conditions are met. Expenses such as meals, hotels, or transport may be handled separately, so you should keep receipts.
Can Airdelay check the possible amount for my flight?
Yes. You can submit your route, airline, flight number, travel date, and disruption details. Airdelay can review the information and help check what may apply to your case.

Not sure which amount may apply? Start by checking your flight claim or return to the Airdelay Help Center.