What conditions must be met for EU261 compensation to apply?

EU Regulation 261/2004 applies when your flight departs from an EU airport (regardless of airline) or arrives at an EU airport on an EU-based carrier. You must also have a confirmed reservation, have checked in on time, and your arrival delay must be 3 hours or more. Compensation is not owed for delays caused by extraordinary circumstances such as severe weather or ATC strikes.

If the delay was caused by bad weather, can I still claim compensation?

Generally, no. Under EU261, delays caused by "extraordinary circumstances" — including severe weather, security threats, air traffic control strikes, or political instability — exempt the airline from paying fixed compensation. However, the airline must still provide care such as meals and refreshments regardless of the cause. If the airline claims force majeure but you believe it was preventable, you can challenge the decision through national enforcement bodies or passenger rights services.

What rules apply to flights in the United States?

Unlike the EU, the United States does not have a federal law mandating fixed cash compensation for flight delays. Airlines set their own delay compensation policies under their customer service plans, which are required to be published under US DOT 14 CFR Part 259. The US does have a tarmac delay rule: domestic flights must allow passengers to deplane after 3 hours on the tarmac, and international flights after 4 hours. Always check your airline's customer service plan to understand what compensation, if any, is offered for your delay.

Flight Delay Compensation Calculator

Step 1 — Select Regulation

Flights departing from an EU airport (all airlines) or arriving at an EU airport on an EU-based carrier.

Step 2 — Flight Distance

Step 3 — Arrival Delay

Delay duration3 hours

1h12h24h

Step 4 — Cause of Delay

About This Tool

Find out if your delayed flight qualifies for compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004 or US DOT rules. Select your regulation, route distance, delay duration, and cause to get an instant estimate — no sign-up required.

The compensation data in this calculator is based on a static reference table derived from EU Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 and US DOT 14 CFR Part 259. This is not a live government data feed — regulations may change, so always verify before filing a claim.

How To Use

Select a regulation — Choose EU261 if your flight departed from an EU airport or was operated by an EU carrier arriving in the EU. Choose US DOT for domestic US flights or international flights to/from the United States.
Select the flight distance — Pick the category that matches the approximate great-circle distance between your departure and arrival airports.
Enter the delay duration — Use the slider to set your actual arrival delay (measured against the scheduled arrival time).
Select the cause of delay — Choose airline fault (technical issues, crew problems, overbooking) or force majeure (severe weather, security threats, ATC strikes).
Review the estimate — Check the compensation range and notes in the result card. File your actual claim directly with your airline or through a passenger rights service.

Example Scenarios

Case 1: Paris → New York (~5,800 km), 5-hour delay due to technical fault

Departing from an EU airport (CDG), EU261 applies. Long-haul (>3,500 km) + airline fault + arrival delay ≥4 hours → estimated €600 per passenger.

Case 2: London → Madrid (~1,260 km), 4-hour delay due to severe weather

EU261-eligible route, but severe weather qualifies as an extraordinary circumstance (force majeure). Fixed compensation may not be owed. However, the airline must still provide meals and refreshments. Check directly with your airline.

Frequently Asked Questions

What conditions must be met for EU261 compensation to apply?: EU Regulation 261/2004 applies when your flight departs from an EU airport (regardless of airline) or arrives at an EU airport on an EU-based carrier. You must also have a confirmed reservation, have checked in on time, and your arrival delay must be 3 hours or more. Compensation is not owed for delays caused by extraordinary circumstances such as severe weather or ATC strikes.
If the delay was caused by bad weather, can I still claim compensation?: Generally, no. Under EU261, delays caused by "extraordinary circumstances" — including severe weather, security threats, air traffic control strikes, or political instability — exempt the airline from paying fixed compensation. However, the airline must still provide care such as meals and refreshments regardless of the cause. If the airline claims force majeure but you believe it was preventable, you can challenge the decision through national enforcement bodies or passenger rights services.
What rules apply to flights in the United States?: Unlike the EU, the United States does not have a federal law mandating fixed cash compensation for flight delays. Airlines set their own delay compensation policies under their customer service plans, which are required to be published under US DOT 14 CFR Part 259. The US does have a tarmac delay rule: domestic flights must allow passengers to deplane after 3 hours on the tarmac, and international flights after 4 hours. Always check your airline's customer service plan to understand what compensation, if any, is offered for your delay.

This tool provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Actual outcomes may vary. Please verify all information with the relevant authority or a qualified legal professional.

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