€600 Compensation for Australian Flights to Europe — Who Qualifies?
€600 (≈A$1,000) is the long-haul maximum under EU261 and the UK261 equivalent of £520. Every non-stop and one-stop flight between Australia and Europe is over 3,500 km, so when EU261 or UK261 applies the payout is automatic. The only question is: does it apply to your flight? This guide gives you the full eligibility map.
Two-part eligibility test
1. Was your flight operated by an EU or UK carrier (BA, Finnair, Turkish from IST, Air France, KLM, Lufthansa)?
2. Did your flight depart from an EU or UK airport (LHR, CDG, FCO, FRA, AMS, HEL, MAD, IST)?
If either is yes — you likely qualify for €600 / £520. If both are no — sorry, no compensation.
Check if your flight qualifies for compensation
Fill in the form below to find out if you can claim up to EUR 600 for a delayed or cancelled flight. No upfront cost - you pay only if you win.
The €600 / £520 Tier — How It's Calculated
EU261 and UK261 use a three-tier distance scale based on the great-circle distance from the original departure to the final destination on a single ticket:
- €250 / £220 — under 1,500 km
- €400 / £350 — 1,500–3,500 km
- €600 / £520 (≈A$1,000) — over 3,500 km — every Australia–Europe route
Because Sydney to Helsinki is around 14,800 km, Perth to Rome 13,200 km, and Melbourne to London 16,900 km via Asia, every Australia–Europe service automatically falls in the long-haul tier when covered.
Who Qualifies? Eligibility by Route
| Route | Regulation | Amount | Covered? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qantas PER → LHR (QF9) | None | — | ❌ |
| Qantas LHR → PER (QF10) | UK261 | £520 (~A$1,000) | ✅ |
| Qantas PER → FCO (non-stop) | None | — | ❌ |
| Qantas FCO → PER (non-stop) | EU261 | €600 (~A$1,000) | ✅ |
| Qantas SYD → LHR via SIN | None | — | ❌ |
| Qantas LHR → SYD via SIN | UK261 | £520 (~A$1,000) | ✅ |
| BA SYD ↔ LHR via Singapore | UK261 | £520 (~A$1,000) | ✅ both ways |
| BA MEL ↔ LHR via KUL (winter 2026) | UK261 | £520 (~A$1,000) | ✅ both ways |
| Finnair MEL ↔ HEL via BKK (from Oct 2026) | EU261 | €600 (~A$1,000) | ✅ both ways |
| Turkish Airlines IST → SYD/MEL | EU261 | €600 (~A$1,000) | ✅ |
| Turkish Airlines SYD/MEL → IST | None | — | ❌ |
Trigger Events — When €600 Becomes Payable
The €600 / £520 payment is triggered by one of three events:
- Delay of 3+ hours on arrival at your final destination on a single ticket. Doors-open time is what matters, not departure time.
- Cancellation with under 14 days' notice, where the airline doesn't offer a re-route arriving within tight time windows of the original schedule.
- Denied boarding due to overbooking — you're bumped against your will despite a valid booking and on-time check-in.
When You Don't Qualify Even On a Covered Route
EU261/UK261 does not apply when the disruption was caused by "extraordinary circumstances" outside the airline's control:
- Severe weather (typhoons, snowstorms beyond ordinary winter ops)
- ATC strikes
- Airport security incidents or closures
- Bird strikes or political instability
Crucially, the following are not extraordinary and you remain entitled to compensation: technical faults, crew rostering, knock-on delays from earlier routine delays, and the airline's own staff strikes (CJEU C-28/20).
How to Claim — Quick Path
Run a free 2-minute eligibility check at the ClaimWinger delayed-flight calculator or, for cancellations, cancelled-flight tool. Enter your flight number, date and arrival time. If eligible, ClaimWinger files and chases on a no-win-no-fee basis (typically 25–35% commission only on success).
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the compensation always €600 for Australia–Europe flights?
Every non-stop and one-stop service between Australia and Europe exceeds 3,500 km. The lowest-distance routing (Perth via Singapore) is approximately 13,000 km. EU261 and UK261 award the long-haul maximum tier — €600 / £520 — for any covered flight over 3,500 km, regardless of how much further the actual route is.
How do I know if my flight qualifies?
Three checks: (1) departure airport — was it in the EU or UK? (2) operating airline — was it an EU or UK carrier (BA, Finnair, KLM, Lufthansa, Air France etc.)? If either is yes, you may qualify. If both no (e.g. Qantas from Perth), you don't. Then check that the arrival was 3+ hours late or the flight was cancelled with under 14 days' notice.
What is €600 in Australian dollars?
Approximately A$1,000 per passenger at current exchange rates (€1 ≈ A$1.65). UK261's £520 also converts to about A$1,000 (£1 ≈ A$1.92). For a family of four: ~A$4,000 if EU261 or UK261 applies. Compensation is paid in EUR or GBP; your bank converts to AUD on arrival.
Does the airline have to pay even if my ticket cost less than €600?
Yes. EU261 and UK261 compensation is fixed and independent of ticket price. A passenger who paid A$2,000 for an economy fare on Qantas LHR–PER and a passenger who paid A$8,000 for business class on the same flight both receive £520 if the flight is delayed 3+ hours.
Can I claim if I used Qantas Frequent Flyer points?
Yes. EU261 and UK261 explicitly cover passengers travelling on a non-published-fare ticket, including award tickets, staff travel, and elite-status upgrades. The amount is the same: €600 or £520 per passenger for long-haul. The exception is purely free travel (e.g. crew positioning), which falls outside the regulations.
Check again - are you entitled to compensation?
Free verification • Up to EUR 600 • Pay only on success
Related articles
African Airline Refuses EU261 — What to Do (RAM, Kenya, Ethiopian, EgyptAir)
African non-EU carriers (RAM, Kenya Airways, Ethiopian, EgyptAir, SAA, Air Algérie, Tunisair) often delay or reject EU261 claims. Step-by-step escalation: airline rejection → NEB complaint → court act
Czytaj więcej →Air Algérie EU261 — Complete Guide for European Flights
Air Algérie (AH) is non-EU. EU261 covers ONLY EU/UK departures (Paris, Lyon, Marseille, London, Brussels, Madrid, Frankfurt, etc.). Return from Algiers/Oran/Constantine NOT covered. €250 short-haul /
Czytaj więcej →Air France Africa Flights EU261 — Quick Answer
Air France (AF) operates 30+ African destinations from Paris. French EU carrier — covered both directions on all routes. €250–€600 by distance. 5-year French limitation period (longest in the EU). Afr
Czytaj więcej →