Flight Cancellation EU261 Compensation & Rights Explained

When does a cancelled flight entitle me to EU261 compensation?

EU261 Article 5 provides compensation for flight cancellations unless: (1) you were informed 14 or more days before the scheduled departure, or (2) you were informed 7–14 days before and offered re-routing arriving no more than 4 hours after the original arrival time, or (3) you were informed less than 7 days before and offered re-routing arriving no more than 1 hour after the original arrival time. If none of these apply, you are entitled to full compensation of €250, €400 or €600 depending on flight distance.

My flight was cancelled on the day — what are my rights?

You have three rights simultaneously: (1) Compensation: €250, €400 or €600 per person (unless extraordinary circumstances apply); (2) Choice: a full refund of your unused ticket price, or re-routing to your final destination at the earliest opportunity, or re-routing at a later date of your choice; (3) Right to care: meals and refreshments, hotel accommodation if an overnight stay is required, and transport between airport and hotel. These rights exist regardless of whether extraordinary circumstances may exempt the airline from compensation.

The airline cancelled because of extraordinary circumstances — do I get refund and re-routing?

Yes. Even if extraordinary circumstances exempt the airline from paying compensation (€250/€400/€600), you still have the right to: a full ticket refund OR re-routing to your destination, AND the right to care (meals, accommodation). The extraordinary circumstances exemption only applies to the cash compensation component — it never removes your right to a refund, re-routing, or care under EU261 Articles 8 and 9.

What if I booked a package holiday and the airline cancelled?

For package holidays (booked as flight + accommodation + other services together), you have both EU261 rights from the airline and separate rights against the tour operator under the EU Package Travel Directive (and UK Package Travel Regulations 2018). The airline owes you EU261 compensation and refund/re-routing. The tour operator may owe you additional compensation for consequential losses, price difference, or alternative arrangements. You can pursue both claims simultaneously.

The airline cancelled 10 days before and offered re-routing arriving 6 hours late — do I get compensation?

Yes, full compensation. You were notified between 7–14 days before departure (which triggers potential exemption), but the re-routing offered arrives 6 hours after the original time — which exceeds the 4-hour window required for the 50% reduction to apply. Therefore, full compensation (€250, €400 or €600 depending on route distance) is owed. The airline cannot reduce compensation when the re-routing offered does not meet the time thresholds in EU261 Article 5(1)(c).