How Long Does a Flight Need to Be Delayed Before You Can Claim Compensation?
how long flight delay before compensation
The answer under EC261/2004 and UK261 is 3 hours — but it is more specific than that. The 3-hour rule applies to your arrival delay at your final destination, not to how long your departure was late. Here is everything you need to know.
The 3-Hour Rule
Under EC261/2004 and UK261, the key threshold is arriving at your final destination more than 3 hours late. It is your arrival time that matters — not when you departed. So if your flight took off 4 hours late but made up time in the air and landed only 2 hours 55 minutes late, you would not qualify. If you landed 3 hours or more after your scheduled arrival, you do.
How Much Compensation?
Once the 3-hour arrival delay threshold is met, the compensation amounts are fixed by law:
• Flights under 1,500km — €250 (£220)
• Flights between 1,500km and 3,500km — €400 (£350)
• Flights over 3,500km — €600 (£520)
These amounts apply per passenger, not per booking. A family of four on a long-haul flight could be owed €2,400 total.
When Can the Airline Refuse to Pay?
The airline can avoid paying only if the delay was caused by ‘extraordinary circumstances’ — events outside their control that could not have been avoided even with all reasonable measures. This includes severe weather, air traffic control strikes, airport security incidents, and political unrest. Technical problems with the aircraft, crew shortages, and operational issues do not qualify as extraordinary circumstances.
How Far Back Can You Claim?
Under EC261 you generally have between 2 and 6 years to make a claim depending on the country. In England and Wales you have 6 years. In Scotland, 5 years. In most EU countries, 2–3 years. Under Israeli IASL, 4 years. Do not wait — evidence becomes harder to gather over time.