Flight Delay Compensation: How Much Can You Really Claim in 2025–2026?

Flight delays remain one of the most common and frustrating issues for air passengers worldwide. In 2025–2026, millions of travelers will experience delayed flights due to weather conditions, operational disruptions, air traffic control restrictions, and airline staffing shortages.
But how much flight delay compensation can you really claim — and under which laws?

Understanding your rights early is critical: compensation rules differ significantly depending on the route, airline, and applicable regulation — and choosing the wrong legal basis often leads to automatic rejection.

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What Is Considered a Flight Delay?

A flight delay occurs when your flight arrives at the final destination later than the scheduled arrival time.
For compensation purposes, the arrival time is defined as the moment at least one aircraft door opens and passengers are allowed to disembark.

Most compensation laws focus on arrival delay, not departure delay.

Flight Delay Compensation Under EU Regulation 261/2004

EU261 remains the most powerful passenger protection regulation in 2025–2026.

When EU261 Applies

You may be eligible if:

• Your flight departed from an EU airport, or

• Your flight arrived in the EU and was operated by an EU-based airline

Minimum Delay Threshold

Compensation applies when:

• The arrival delay is 3 hours or more

Compensation Amounts Under EU261

Compensation is per passenger, not per booking.

Can Airlines Reduce EU261 Compensation?

Yes, in limited cases.

For long-haul flights over 3,500 km, airlines may reduce compensation by 50% if:

• The delay is between 3 and 4 hours

This rule is still enforced in 2025–2026.

Extraordinary Circumstances: When Compensation Is Denied

Airlines are not required to pay EU261 compensation if the delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances, such as:

• Severe weather conditions

• Air traffic control strikes

• Airport closures

• Political instability

• Security risks

However, airlines must prove:

1. The event was extraordinary

2. The delay was unavoidable despite reasonable measures

⚠️ Technical issues, crew shortages, and aircraft rotation problems are usually not extraordinary.

Flight Delay Compensation Outside the EU (2025–2026 Reality)

When EU261 does not apply, compensation becomes more complex.

Montreal Convention (Article 19)

The Montreal Convention governs international flights worldwide and applies in most non-EU cases.

Under Article 19, airlines are liable for proven delay damages, including:

• Hotel accommodation

• Meals and refreshments

• Transport costs

• Lost bookings or connections

• Business losses (in some cases)

There is no fixed compensation amount. Claims are based on actual financial loss.

Maximum Liability

In 2025–2026, the liability cap remains:

• 4,694 SDR (Special Drawing Rights) per passenger
  (≈ €5,800 depending on exchange rate)

U.S. Flight Delay Compensation: What to Expect

The United States does not offer fixed compensation for flight delays.

Passengers may receive:

• Meal vouchers

• Hotel accommodation (at airline discretion)

• Rebooking or refunds

However, cash compensation is not legally guaranteed unless the delay results in:

• Involuntary denied boarding

• Refund for unused tickets

Can You Claim Both EU261 and Montreal Convention?

No.
EU261 and the Montreal Convention cannot be applied simultaneously for the same delay damage.

However:

• EU261 covers fixed compensation

• Montreal Convention covers actual financial losses

The correct strategy depends on:

• Flight route

• Airline nationality

• Delay reason

• Evidence available

How Much Can You Really Claim in 2025–2026?

Here’s the realistic breakdown:

• €250–€600 under EU261 for eligible delays

• Up to ~€5,800 under the Montreal Convention (documented losses only)

• €0–€300 in the U.S., mostly airline goodwill

Passengers with strong documentation consistently achieve higher payouts.

What Documents Do You Need?

To maximize success:

• Boarding pass or e-ticket

• Delay confirmation (airport or airline)

• Receipts for expenses

• Proof of arrival time

• Correspondence with the airline

Why Many Passengers Get Rejected

Common reasons:

• Incorrect regulation applied

• Missing evidence

• Airline misuse of “extraordinary circumstances”

• Incorrect delay calculation

• Claims filed too late

In 2025–2026, airlines increasingly rely on automated rejection templates.

Final Thoughts

Flight delay compensation is still very real in 2025–2026 — but only if the correct legal framework is used.
EU261 offers the strongest protection, while the Montreal Convention remains the fallback when fixed compensation does not apply.

Understanding how much you can really claim means understanding where your flight falls legally, not just how long it was delayed.