Know Your Passenger Rights

Flight disruptions can be frustrating — but under EU law, passengers have strong rights.
If your flight was delayed, cancelled, or you were denied boarding, you may be entitled to financial compensation of up to €600 per passenger.

Air‑Settle helps you understand and enforce those rights — without hassle.

EU Flight Compensation Law (EC 261/2004)

EU Regulation EC 261/2004 protects passengers when flights:

  • Depart from an EU airport, or
  • Are operated by an EU airline and arrive in the EU

The regulation applies regardless of nationality and covers most commercial flights.

Compensation depends on:

The Type of Disruption
(e.g. flight cancelled)
The Flight Distance
(3 compensation amounts)
Whether the airline was responsible or not.

Flight Delays

You may be entitled to compensation if:

  • Your flight arrived at the final destination 3 hours or more later than scheduled
  • The delay was caused by the airline (technical issues, crew shortages, operational problems)

Compensation amounts:

€250

For short flights
(<1,500km)

€400

For medium flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km

€600

For long flights over
3,500km.

  • The delay is calculated based on arrival time, not departure time.

Flight Cancellations

You may be entitled to compensation if:

Your flight was cancelled with less than 14 days’ notice.
The airline did not offer a suitable alternative flight
The cancellation was not caused by extraordinary circumstances

Compensation:

  • Up to €600 per passenger, depending on flight distance.

Even if the airline rebooked you, compensation may still apply if:

  • the alternative flight caused a significant delay, or
  • you arrived much later than planned

Denied Boarding (Overbooking)

If you were denied boarding involuntarily due to overbooking, you are usually entitled to compensation.

This applies when:

You had a confirmed booking.
You checked in on time online or at the airport.
You were refused boarding against your will

Compensation:

  • €250 / €400 / €600, depending on flight distance.

Airlines often ask for volunteers — voluntary denial may change eligibility, but involuntary refusal usually qualifies.

Extraordinary Circumstances

What Airlines Often Claim

These may include:

Extreme Weather
Air Traffic Control Strikes
Security Risks Circumstances

However, many situations claimed as “extraordinary” are not valid, such as:

Technical Problems
Maintenance Issues
Crew Availability

Air‑Settle reviews each case carefully to determine whether the airline’s reason is legitimate.

Additional Passenger Rights

Beyond compensation, EU law also guarantees:

Meals and refreshments during long delays

Hotel accommodation if an overnight stay is required

Transport between the airport and hotel

The right to refunds or re‑routing in cancellation cases

How Far Back Can you Claim?

In many cases, you can claim compensation for flights from the past several years.

Time limits depend on the country and applicable jurisdiction.

If you’re unsure — it’s worth checking.

How Air-Settle Helps?

Understanding your rights is one thing — enforcing them is another.

Air-Settle:

  • Reviews your eligibility under EU law
  • Handles all airline communication
  • Escalates cases legally when needed
  • Keeps you informed at every step
  • No upfront fees
  • No win, No fee
  • Transparent Pricing

Many passengers don’t realize they’re entitled to compensation.

Start Your Claim
✈️ Flight delay or cancellation? You may be entitled to compensation.
Start your claim