Flight Cancellation Rights: Compensation, Rebooking, and Refunds

01

What Qualifies as a Cancellation Claim?

Any cancelled flight with a confirmed booking may qualify under EU261, unless the airline can prove extraordinary circumstances.

• Full flight cancellation (not just overbooking)
• Must have had a confirmed seat before cancellation
• Applies to cancellations made any time before departure
• Applies even if offered rebooking (you can still claim compensation)

02

Your Right to Rerouting or Refund

When your flight is cancelled, airlines must offer equivalent rerouting or a full refund at no additional cost.

• Rerouting on next available flight (same or different airline)
• Alternative routing if it gets you to destination within reasonable time
• Full refund (ticket price) if you choose not to fly
• Refund of unused portions of multi-leg tickets

03

Cancellation Compensation Amounts

Cancelled flights trigger the same €250-€600 compensation as delays, unless extraordinary circumstances apply.

• Up to 1,500 km: €250 compensation
• 1,500-3,500 km or mixed EU flights: €400
• Over 3,500 km non-EU flights: €600
• Applies even if you accept rebooking

04

Timing and Notification Rules

Compensation depends on cancellation notice. Airlines must prove they notified you more than 14 days before departure.

• Full compensation if less than 14 days notice
• 50% reduction if notice given 14+ days before
• Airlines must show proof of notification
• If no notice provided, full compensation applies

05

What You Can Claim for

Beyond compensation, you may recover additional expenses like hotel, meals, and transport during cancellation.

• Self-incurred care costs (hotels, meals, transport)
• Communication costs (phone, internet, emails)
• Must be reasonable and directly caused by cancellation
• Keep all receipts as proof