Imagine you’ve booked a long-awaited trip, be it a family holiday, business travel, or a frequent-flyer escape, and suddenly your flight is cancelled. The excitement quickly turns into stress: rearranging plans, managing luggage, rebooking accommodation, and wondering what comes next. The good news is that you may be eligible for flight cancellation compensation, depending on where you’re flying and what caused the disruption.
1. When Are You Eligible?
Eligibility depends largely on whether the cancellation was within the airline’s control. Situations such as operational problems, staff shortages, or over-booking typically make passengers eligible. However, if the cancellation was due to “extraordinary circumstances” like extreme weather conditions, natural disasters, political unrest, air-traffic control restrictions, or security issues, airlines may not be required to compensate.
Under EU Regulation 261/2004 (EU 261), passengers are eligible for compensation when a flight is cancelled fewer than 14 days before departure or when the alternative flight offered leads to a significantly later arrival. Whether you’re a leisure traveller, a family group, or travelling for business, it’s always wise to check:
- When you were informed
- The reason provided for cancellation
- Whether the alternative offered is suitable
Even if compensation isn’t due, you may still be entitled to refunds, meals, accommodation, or re-routing.
2. How Much Compensation Can You Claim?
If you meet the requirements, the compensation amount is based primarily on flight distance and, in some cases, the arrival delay of the alternative flight. Under EU 261, the standard amounts are:
- Up to €250 — flights of 1,500 km or less
- Up to €400 — intra-EU flights over 1,500 km and non-EU flights between 1,500–3,500 km
- Up to €600 — flights over 3,500 km
For example, a family of four flying from London to Dubai (over 3,500 km) whose flight is cancelled less than 14 days before departure due to airline issues may receive €600 per person, totalling around €2,400. For a domestic flight of roughly 300 km cancelled last minute, each passenger could be entitled to €250.
If the airline offers an alternative flight and your arrival is only slightly delayed, your compensation may be reduced by up to 50%.
3. Example Scenarios
Leisure Trip — Paris to Barcelona (≈1,000 km)
A couple’s flight is cancelled due to crew shortage. As the airline is at fault and the route is under 1,500 km, each traveller may receive up to €250.
Business Trip — Frankfurt to New York (6,000+ km)
A business flyer receives notice of cancellation five days before departure. They could be eligible for €600 plus rebooking rights.
Connecting Flights — Multi-Leg Journey
If a cancelled segment causes the arrival at the final destination to be delayed more than three hours, and the distance qualifies, compensation still applies.
Let Lennuabi Do the Heavy Lifting on Your Claim
Understanding whether you qualify and dealing with airlines can be confusing. That’s where Lennuabi helps. They review eligibility, gather documents, manage communication with airlines, and handle the claims process on your behalf. The process takes only minutes to begin, operates on a no-win, no-fee approach, and removes the stress of negotiations. For many travellers, Lennuabi makes claiming compensation faster and more successful.
Takeaway
If your flight is cancelled and the airline is responsible, you may be entitled to €250–€600 under EU 261. While it can’t restore lost time or missed experiences, it offers meaningful financial protection when travel plans fall apart. Next time your flight is cancelled, remember to ask: How much compensation can I claim?
