Cancelled flight
Your flight was cancelled? Here's what you're owed
If your flight was cancelled without at least 14 days' notice before departure, you're owed up to €600 in compensation, plus a full refund or re-routing to your final destination.
Check compensationWhat you're owed
When an airline cancels your flight without giving you enough advance notice, you're entitled to financial compensation of up to €600, in addition to a refund or re-routing to your final destination.
Your right to compensation depends on how far in advance the airline notified you and on the quality of the alternative it offered.
Cancellation without 14 days' notice
If the airline informed you of the cancellation less than 14 days before departure, you're entitled to financial compensation.
An alternative within the regulation's limits changes things
If you were offered an alternative flight within the regulation's limits (arriving up to 4 hours late with 7–13 days' notice, or up to 2 hours late with under 7 days' notice), financial compensation usually doesn't apply.
Notice is mandatory
The airline must inform you in writing of the cancellation and of your rights under EU Regulation 261/2004.
Eligibility criteria
Four conditions that determine whether your flight qualifies:
Timing of the notice
You must have been notified of the cancellation less than 14 days before the departure date.
Flight route
The flight must depart from an EU airport, or arrive in the EU and be operated by an EU-licensed airline.
Your choice
You have the right to choose between a full refund of your ticket or re-routing on the next available flight to your final destination.
Exemptions
If the cancellation is due to extraordinary circumstances — such as extreme weather or strikes unrelated to the airline — financial compensation may not apply.
How much are you owed?
The amount depends on your flight distance, under EU Regulation 261/2004.
Up to 1,500 km
250 €
e.g. Tirana – Rome
1,501–3,500 km
400 €
e.g. Tirana – London
3,501 km or more
600 €
e.g. Rome – New York
How to claim your compensation
Four simple steps to secure the rights you're owed:
01
Check the notice period
Verify when the airline informed you of the cancellation — if it was less than 14 days before departure, you may qualify.
02
Gather your documents
Keep your booking confirmation, the cancellation notice, and any other correspondence with the airline.
03
Submit your claim
Send us your flight details — we contact the airline and handle the entire process on your behalf.
04
Receive your compensation
Once your case is resolved successfully, we transfer your compensation directly to you. No win, no fee.
Read next
Explore the other guides related to your situation:
Frequently asked questions
What happens if the airline offers me an alternative flight?
If you were offered an alternative flight within the regulation's limits (arriving up to 4 hours late with 7–13 days' notice, or up to 2 hours late with under 7 days' notice), financial compensation usually doesn't apply — but you're still entitled to a refund or re-routing.
Am I owed compensation if I was notified more than 14 days in advance?
No. If the airline notified you of the cancellation at least 14 days before departure, you're not entitled to financial compensation, though you keep the right to a refund or re-routing.
Can I choose between a refund and re-routing?
Yes. You have the right to choose between a full refund of your ticket or re-routing on the next available flight to your final destination.
How long does the claim process take?
The process usually takes 2 to 6 months, depending on the airline's cooperation and the complexity of your case.