For the most part, it depends on what country you are filing the claim from. Some countries leave you as long as 10 years according to EC 261, whereas others only allow up to 2 years. It’s best to check your country’s statute of limitations and file the claim as soon as possible if it was a recent event.

This depends mostly on how long the delay was and what distance you had to fly over. For instance, if it’s a domestic flight covering less than 1,500 km, you can get up to 250 EUR in compensation. That said, if you are flying internationally (e.g., from London to New York), then you are traveling over more than 3,500 km, making you eligible for up to 600 EUR.

This mostly depends on the type of bad weather. Very often, a flight delay that occurred with the protection of the passenger in mind (i.e., a hurricane or heavy fog) can exempt the airline from having to pay compensation for delayed flights. This usually falls into the category of “extraordinary circumstances.” Having said that, technology makes it easy to prepare for some types of weather, allowing airlines to be on guard. For example, while little can be done to prevent very heavy fog delays, airlines should be able to prevent most snow delays. If it is in a cold country where snow is to be expected in winter, they should be prepared with de-icing tools.

Absolutely. That said, it depends on whether or not you landed or departed from Europe or if you flew with a European carrier. The only instance when you may have issues with is if you fly with a non-EU carrier without contact with EU airports. In most circumstances, the laws for EU and UK flight delay compensation are easy to understand, with StopDelay being able to help.

Claiming compensation for a delayed flight is easy if you follow the right steps. You can take the matter to the airline directly, but using a specialist such as StopDelay is usually recommended. They can negotiate on your behalf and spare you the legal trouble.

According to EC 261, you can usually get money back from airlines if you spend unnecessary money due to the delay. The condition is that you must have the receipts ready to prove you spent that money. Bear in mind that the airlines will only cover reasonable expenses, so they might not pay for a five-star hotel, especially if you are flying economy. However, StopDelay can help you get your money’s worth.

Yes, for the most part, there is no reason why you should not be able to get compensation for a delayed flight. You will likely be compensated if you arrive or depart from the EU, UK, or other areas covered by EC 261. The condition is that the delay should be at least 3 hours, and the cause should be outside the airline’s control.

This depends on how you are going about the process. If you do it yourself, then fussing over the legal aspects and not winning altogether might not be worth it. That said, if you go through companies such as StopDelay, the compensation for flight delay process becomes more straightforward. Since it works with a “no win, no fee” system, you won’t come up at a loss either.

Extraordinary circumstances represent any event whose reason for delay is outside the airline’s control. These situations are deemed to put the passenger’s safety in danger, so the airline makes a sensible decision. For instance, if thick fog makes take-off difficult, air traffic controllers have gone on strike, or a terrorist incident happens at the airport, then the circumstances may be labeled as “extraordinary.” Remember that not all these circumstances are always “extraordinary.” If the airline can prepare for them, then they’re not extraordinary. For example, if a snowstorm came out of nowhere and was outside what’s commonly called “snow season,” the airline could avoid liability. Still, if it could have been predicted through weather reports, taking necessary precautions, it might not be as “extraordinary” after all.

Delays don’t always happen when you are stuck at the airport – you can be ON the plane, stranded on the tarmac. For instance, there may be a mechanical issue, weather issues, or situations involving unruly passengers. If the doors are closed, 2-hour delays can make you eligible for special attention, whereas a 3-hour delay should give you the option to get off the plane (as well as receive compensation).

This depends on different circumstances, such as whether or not you arrived at the final destination on time or how many airlines you flew with. If you flew over one route with an airline and were 1 hour late at the destination, then the airline is still within the norms of EC 261. That said, if the first delay caused you to miss a connecting flight with the same airline,leading to a longer 3 hour flight delay then you are eligible for compensation.

Most of the time, the regulations outlined in EC 261 will tell you whether or not you are eligible for compensation. However, you should use a compensation eligibility tool to speed up the process. StopDelay offers a calculator that helps you determine if the circumstances support your right to claim.