3-Hour Flight Delay Compensation Under EU261: Full Guide
EU261 compensation is triggered by a 3+ hour arrival delay at your final destination — confirmed by CJEU in Sturgeon v Condor. Compensation is €250, €400 or €600 per person depending on flight distance. Here is exactly how the 3-hour rule works and how to file your claim.
Quick answer
3+ hours late at final destination → EU261 compensation applies. Measured from door opening at destination (not wheels-down).€250 (≤1,500 km) / €400 (1,500–3,500 km) / €600 (>3,500 km). 50% reduction only if airline re-routed you within 2/3/4 hour thresholds.
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The Sturgeon Rule: 3 Hours at Final Destination
The 3-hour compensation threshold was not in the original EU261 text — it was created by the CJEU in Sturgeon v Condor Flugdienst (joined cases C-402/07 and C-432/07, 2009). The Court held that passengers on delayed flights are in a situation comparable to those on cancelled flights and must therefore receive comparable compensation when arriving 3+ hours late.
This ruling is binding on all EU national courts and aviation authorities. Airlines must comply regardless of any internal policies suggesting otherwise. The 3-hour rule is measured at the final destination — if your itinerary has a connection, the 3 hours is measured at the last airport on your booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hours delay qualifies for EU261 compensation?
EU261 compensation is triggered when you arrive at your final destination 3 or more hours later than the scheduled arrival time. This was confirmed by the Court of Justice of the EU in Sturgeon v Condor Flugdienst (C-402/07). The 3-hour threshold applies to arrival delay — not departure delay. A flight that departs 4 hours late but lands only 2 hours 50 minutes late does not trigger compensation.
How is 'arrival delay' calculated for EU261?
Arrival delay is measured from the scheduled arrival time to the time the aircraft doors are opened at the destination — or more precisely, when the aircraft lands and docking is completed (as per CJEU case Germanwings v Henning, C-452/13). This is the actual time passengers can disembark, not when the plane touches the runway. Airlines cannot claim on-time arrival based on wheels-down time if door opening was delayed.
My flight was 2 hours 55 minutes late — do I get any compensation?
No — EU261 compensation requires a 3+ hour arrival delay at the final destination. A 2 hours 55 minutes delay, while frustrating, does not trigger the statutory compensation right under EU261. However, if your delay was 2+ hours, you are entitled to EU261 Article 9 'right to care' — meals and refreshments proportionate to the wait, and 2 free phone calls or emails. Keep receipts for any expenses incurred during the wait.
Does a 50% reduction apply to the EU261 compensation amount?
EU261 Article 7(2) allows airlines to reduce compensation by 50% if they offer re-routing and you arrive at your final destination within specific time thresholds of the original arrival time: 2 hours for flights ≤1,500 km (€250 → €125), 3 hours for flights 1,500–3,500 km (€400 → €200), 4 hours for flights >3,500 km (€600 → €300). If you were re-routed and arrived within these windows, the airline can apply the reduction. If you were not re-routed or arrived later, full compensation applies.
My flight was delayed 3 hours — what documents do I need to claim?
Gather: (1) booking confirmation (flight number, date, booking reference); (2) boarding pass or check-in evidence; (3) proof of the actual arrival time — take a photo of the arrivals board, check FlightAware/FlightRadar24, or get a delay confirmation letter from the airline at the airport. Submit your EU261 claim to the airline with these documents. State the actual arrival time versus scheduled time, calculate the delay in hours and minutes, and cite EU261 Article 7 and the Sturgeon ruling. If rejected, escalate to the relevant national ADR body.
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