EU261 Explained Simply

When it applies

• Any flight departing from an airport in the EU, on any airline
• Flights arriving in the EU from outside, if operated by an EU airline
• Iceland, Norway and Switzerland are included in the scheme

The UK operates its own version of the same rules after Brexit, with amounts in pounds. The structure is close enough that the practical advice is nearly identical.

The distance bands

Where compensation applies, the amount depends on flight distance rather than what you paid:

• Up to 1,500 km: 250 EUR
• 1,500 to 3,500 km: 400 EUR
• Over 3,500 km: 600 EUR

Amounts can be reduced where the airline reroutes you and you arrive within certain time limits. Verify current figures against the European Commission page linked below before relying on them.

Care is separate from compensation

Even when the airline owes no compensation because of an extraordinary circumstance, it still owes you assistance: food and drink appropriate to the wait, hotel and transfers if you are stuck overnight, communication, and either rerouting or a refund.

Bad weather can remove the compensation. It does not remove the hotel.

When airlines refuse

• Extraordinary circumstances such as severe weather, air traffic control restrictions, security incidents or certain strikes
• You were informed of the cancellation far enough in advance
• You were rerouted and arrived within the allowed window
• The flight was not covered by the scheme in the first place

Making a claim

1. Write to the airline first, with flight number, date and what happened.
2. Ask for a specific amount and give a reasonable deadline.
3. If refused, escalate to the national enforcement body in the country of departure.
4. Time limits for claims vary by country, so do not sit on it.