EC 261 guide
European Regulation EC 261: what passengers need to know.
AirReclaim's original guide to Regulation EC 261/2004, including covered flights, compensation bands, delays, cancellations, denied boarding, care rights, documents, and time-limit caveats.
- Regulation explained plainly
- Distance bands shown
- Care rights separated
The practical summary
Regulation EC 261/2004 is the core European framework behind many flight compensation claims. It can cover delays, cancellations, denied boarding, and missed connections, but only when route scope, timing, airline responsibility, and evidence support the claim.
- Covered disruptions can include delay, cancellation, denied boarding, and missed connection.
- Compensation bands are commonly EUR250, EUR400, and EUR600 where conditions are met.
- Passengers may also have rights to care, refunds, or rerouting.
- Extraordinary circumstances and limitation periods require review.
When EC 261 compensation may apply
EC 261 can apply to flights departing from an EU airport and to certain flights arriving in the EU when operated by an EU carrier. Related EEA and Swiss routes may also be relevant depending on the claim path.
The regulation does not create compensation for every disruption. The event must meet the relevant delay, cancellation, denied-boarding, or connection criteria, and the airline must be responsible.
| Disruption | What AirReclaim reviews |
|---|---|
| Delay | Final arrival delay, route scope, cause, and documents. |
| Cancellation | Notice timing, rerouting, arrival impact, and cause. |
| Denied boarding | Whether boarding was involuntarily refused and what was offered. |
| Missed connection | Single-booking structure and final destination delay. |
How much money can passengers claim?
EC 261 compensation is usually explained through distance bands. AirReclaim uses those bands to produce a preliminary estimate, then reviews the route, disruption, airline reason, and evidence before submission.
Currency, reductions, rerouting, and exceptional facts can affect the final result.
| Distance band | Common amount | Important note |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 1,500 km | EUR250 | Short-haul routes where conditions are met. |
| 1,500 km to 3,500 km | EUR400 | Medium-distance covered routes. |
| Over 3,500 km | EUR600 | Long-haul routes, subject to additional caveats. |
When EC 261 compensation may not be owed
Airlines may avoid compensation where extraordinary circumstances caused the disruption and could not have been avoided even if reasonable measures were taken. Commonly disputed areas include severe weather, air traffic control restrictions, airport disruption, security issues, and some strikes.
Airline responsibility is fact-specific. AirReclaim reviews the airline's stated reason, timing, route, evidence, and any follow-on disruption before deciding the next step.
Your other rights under EC 261
EC 261 also addresses care and assistance during disruption. Depending on the situation, passengers may be entitled to communication, meals, refreshments, accommodation, transport between airport and hotel, refund choices, or rerouting.
These rights are important, but they are not the same as compensation. AirReclaim keeps compensation, refunds, expenses, vouchers, and direct settlements separate in the claim review.
- Care during long waits.
- Refund or rerouting choices after certain disruptions.
- Downgrade or upgrade handling.
- Separate records for expenses and compensation.
How to make an EC 261 claim with AirReclaim
Start with the checker, upload evidence if the claim appears worth review, complete authorization, then follow dashboard updates. AirReclaim reviews the file before airline submission or escalation.
The strongest files include the booking confirmation, boarding pass or check-in proof, airline messages, final arrival evidence, and any prior rejection or settlement offer.
Common questions
No. Departures from EU airports can be covered regardless of airline. Some arrivals depend on the operating carrier.
Official references
Check your EC 261 route.
Use the exact flight details so AirReclaim can estimate the route band and review evidence needs.