For the most part, it depends on various factors, the most decisive being the distance. Short-haul flights that take 1,500 km or less can entitle you to 250 EUR in compensation. On the other hand, if the flight is a 3,500+ km long-haul one, you are owed up to 600 EUR in compensation.

Your rights for compensation become active the minute you step out of the aircraft at the final destination. This is the final point of your journey, where you no longer have to switch carriers. If you have a 3-hour delay here, then you have every right to seek compensation.

Yes, the reason for your delay can affect whether or not you get money. For instance, while you can get compensation for things under the airline’s control, extraordinary circumstances (e.g., hurricanes or security threats) may exempt them. Remember that airlines may try to pass off even ordinary events as “extraordinary,” so you should be careful about that.

If the flight is delayed, you are entitled to 3-hour flight delay compensation. However, if you wait for 3 hours only to find out that it’s canceled, you can receive compensation AND a refund/re-routing. Airlines need to notify you 14 days ahead to bypass the compensation, so if it was last-minute, you can get up to 600 EUR.

As a gesture of goodwill, airlines can often offer frequent flier miles, travel vouchers, and extra services in addition to what EC 261 claims. If you spend unnecessary resources on meals, transportation, or accommodation, they might also have to pay for that. Just make sure that you have a receipt to prove your expenses and get some knowledgeable assistance from a flight claim company.