Claim flight compensation yourself

Before you write

Use the calculator to see which rule set applies and the amount.
Collect your booking confirmation, the boarding pass, and proof of the delay or cancellation. See proof you need.
Note the airline that operated the flight. It is the one named on the boarding pass or the flight status page, which may differ from the ticket.
Check the time limit for your country on claim deadlines.

Send the claim

Write to the airline in writing, by its web form or by email, and keep a dated copy. Ask for the reason it gives for the disruption. Give it a clear date to answer.

A letter you can copy

Use the generator below. It runs in your browser and nothing is sent to a server. It writes a formal letter that names the rule, the flight and the amount, and asks for a written answer within 14 days.

Claim letter generator

Your letter

[your name]
[your address]

To: [airline], customer relations
Subject: Compensation claim for flight [flight number] on [date of flight], booking [booking reference]

Dear Sir or Madam,

Passenger [your name] travelled, or was booked to travel, on flight [flight number] from [departure airport] to [arrival airport] on [date of flight], booking reference [booking reference]. The flight reached its destination [hours] hours late.

Compensation of [amount] per passenger is claimed under Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, for [number] passenger(s) on this booking.

Please do the following:
1. Confirm in writing that the claim is accepted, or give the exact reason for refusing it and the evidence behind that reason.
2. Reply within 14 days of receiving this letter. Payment details will be provided on request.

A copy of this letter has been kept with the booking confirmation and the boarding pass.

Yours faithfully,
[your name]

This runs in your browser. Nothing is sent anywhere. The text is a template, not legal advice.

If the airline says no or does not answer

Reply in writing and ask which exact circumstance it relies on. See extraordinary circumstances.
Contact the national enforcement body of the country where the flight left, or a consumer dispute service the airline belongs to. Each country names its own body.
As a last step, small claims court. Time limits are national. See claim deadlines.

If you prefer to hand it over

Claims companies charge a share of the payout. The table lists the fee each one states.

Claims companies by lowest stated standard fee
Company	Standard fee as stated	If it goes to court	Open
Flightright	20 to 30% plus VAT	A 14% surcharge when its own lawyers must act	Flightright site (opens in a new tab)
AirAdvisor	30% of the amount collected before court, VAT included	50% if outside lawyers are needed	AirAdvisor site (opens in a new tab)
AirHelp	35% of the compensation, VAT included	A further 15% in the minority of cases that need legal action	AirHelp site (opens in a new tab)
Refundio	35% of the recovered compensation	50% if the airline takes the case to court (it replaces the 35%)	Refundio site (opens in a new tab)
Skycop	44% of the compensation, VAT included	50% if legal proceedings are needed	Skycop site (opens in a new tab)

How we earn

Hours Late may earn a commission when you use a claims company through links on this page. It never changes the math or the ranking. A claims company keeps a share of any payout. The fee is shown next to each link.

Information, not advice

Hours Late is not a law firm and not a claims company. It does not file claims for you. The results are estimates from published rules and the details you enter. They are not legal advice. Airlines and courts decide each case.

Sources

Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 (EUR-Lex, original text), read on October 10, 2026
Commission Notice C/2024/5687: Interpretative Guidelines on Regulation 261/2004, read on October 10, 2026

Hours Late may earn a commission when you use a claims company through links on this page. It never changes the math or the ranking.