Your Cancellation Rights — In One Screen
Standing at the gate with a cancelled flight? Pick your situation in two taps. See the exact amount you are owed, the deadline, and what to say to the agent.
Yes — full ticket price refund or re-routing to your destination.
EU261/2004 · 17 Feb 2005€400
EU261/2004 · 17 Feb 2005Varies by country: up to 6 years (UK), 3 years (DE), 2 years (ES), 1 year (IT).
EU261/2004Under EU261/2004 Article 5 and Article 7, I am entitled to re-routing or a full refund, and €400 compensation as this cancellation was within the airline’s control. I’d like this processed now, please.
EU261/2004 · 17 Feb 2005Where These Numbers Come From
Every number on this site comes from one of these four published rules. Nothing is estimated or company-opinion.
| Regulation | Jurisdiction | Key right | Compensation range | Effective date | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EU261/2004 | EU / EEA | Refund or re-routing + fixed compensation | €250 / €400 / €600 | 17 Feb 2005 | eur-lex.europa.eu |
| UK CAA retained law | United Kingdom | Same rights as EU261, paid in GBP | £220 / £343 / £515 | 1 Jan 2021 | caa.co.uk |
| US DOT 14 CFR Part 259 | United States | Full refund for airline-cancelled flights | No statutory extra compensation | Aug 2011 | transportation.gov |
| Montreal Convention 1999 | International fallback | General damages framework | No fixed schedule | 28 Jun 2004 | icao.int |
What People Actually Ask at the Gate
The agent says it’s weather — am I still owed money?
Under EU261/UK, extraordinary circumstances waive compensation but NOT refund; under US DOT you still get a full refund.
They offered a voucher — should I take it?
A voucher is optional; you can insist on cash refund under US DOT and EU261. Vouchers sometimes waive future rights — read before signing.
How long do I have to claim?
Depends on jurisdiction: 6 years UK, 3 years Germany, 2 years Spain, 1 year Italy. The lookup shows your specific deadline.
Can a claim company get me more?
They cannot get you more than the law allows; they take 15–35% of the same amount. You can claim directly.
My flight was cancelled before I travelled — same rules?
Yes for EU261/UK. US DOT refund right applies regardless. Montreal Convention covers damages for international routes.
Bookmark for Next Time
No account. No ads. No claim company. Bookmark this page — reopen it the next time a flight goes wrong.
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Sources: EU261/2004 · UK CAA retained law · US DOT 14 CFR Part 259 · Montreal Convention 1999
Rates updated 1 Jan 2025