Flight cancellation
Flight cancellations happen, but that doesn't mean you have to be in the dark. In case your flight was cancelled less than 14 days prior to departure, you can get financial compensation up to €600.
Don’t worry if you had a flight issue in the past. You can claim your money up to 3 years back.
Information you will find on this page:
What is flight cancellation
A cancellation occurs when the airline does not operate the flight. However, as a passenger you have your rights and you have to be informed at least 14 days prior to departure. If not, you may be eligible to be financially compensated and the airline also has to give you an alternative flight.
Your rights
Aviation passengers are protected thanks to European Union law according to Regulation 261/2004. In case the airline informs you about a flight cancellation less than 14 days prior to departure, they must give you an alternative flight.
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Notice from the airline
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Alternative flight requirements
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|---|---|
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7-13 days prior departure
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Alternative flight arriving no later than 4 hours to the final destination (in comparison to original flight)
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Less than 7 days prior departure
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Alternative flight arriving no later than 2 hours to the final destination (in comparison to original flight)
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In case your flight came to the final destination later than shown in the charts above, the airline needs to pay you financial compensation for your loss of time and also give you the option to choose:
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A full or partial refund of your original ticket and a return flight to your point of departure.
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The earliest possible alternative transport to your final destination.
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A new ticket to your final destination at a later date of your choosing, subject to availability.
Eligibility to be compensated
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Cancellation of your flight was less than 14 days prior to departure.
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Your flight was cancelled due to "technical difficulties" or "operational circumstances".
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The flight took off in the EU (from any airline) or landed in the EU (provided that the airline is headquartered in the EU).
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You have not already accepted any compensation for your cancellation from the airline (financial or travel vouchers).
Amount of compensation
You could be eligible to be compensated up to €600, but it depends on the distance, time and whether your flight is within the EU or not:
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Distance
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Under 2 hours
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2-3 hours
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3-4 hours
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More than 4 hours
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Never arrived
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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All flights 1.500 km or less
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€125
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€250
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€250
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€250
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€250
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Internal EU flights over 1.500 km
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€200
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€200
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€400
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€400
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€400
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Non-internal EU flights between 1.500 km and 3.500 km
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€200
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€200
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€400
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€400
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€400
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Non-internal EU flights over 3.500 km
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€300
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€300
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€300
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€600
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€600
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Exceptions from being compensated
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Your flight was cancelled more than 14 days prior to departure.
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Your flight was cancelled due to extraordinary circumstances such as political instability terrorist attack, inclement weather, natural disasters, or security risks.
Losing your rights
When your flight is delayed, your airline may offer you compensation in the form of flight vouchers. Of course, when you're tired and frustrated and someone is offering you a voucher for a new flight, it is difficult to say no. However, by accepting the voucher you're losing your rights to be financially compensated according to Regulation 261/2004.
Essentially, it is your choice as to whether to accept the vouchers or not. However, the data says that 40% of affected passengers are undercompensated due to accepting travel vouchers instead of claiming financial compensation.
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