Problems at Airports: Compensation for Canceled Flights and Delays

Arriving at the airport usually signals the start of an exciting trip, but it’s also where the first hiccups can happen. Issues like flight delays, cancellations, and overbooking are common, but that doesn’t mean you’re without rights.

If you’ve run into problems at the airport today, AirHelp is here to assist. This guide will walk you through your rights, which can vary depending on the airport and the airline’s country of origin. In the US, there are regulations covering things like overbooked flights and tarmac delays. However, passengers often find stronger protections under the rules in the countries they’re traveling to. Europe’s EC 261 laws, for instance, are particularly robust and offer compensation in a wide range of situations. Find out what you’re owed with our Eligibility Checker.

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Common Airport Problems Today

Flight Delays

A delayed flight is one of the most common issues you might face at the airport. Delays can range from minor inconveniences to more than three hours. In the latter case, you might be entitled to compensation. For more information, check out our guide on delayed flights.

Canceled Flights

Your flight could be canceled with advance notice or at the last minute, throwing your travel plans into disarray. As an air passenger, you have rights under EC 261 regulations — check now to see if you’re eligible for compensation.

Overbooking

You might be denied boarding at check-in due to overbooking, one of the most common reasons for this issue. On this page, we explain what to do if you encounter overbooking, how to get a ticket refund, and how to claim compensation.

Strikes

Strikes can cause significant disruptions at airports, leading to delays, cancellations, and other unexpected issues. If the strike is caused by the airline's staff, you may be eligible for compensation of up to $650, depending on your destination and the flight duration.

Tarmac Delays

While US laws do not address delayed flights in general, there are laws concerning what happens if your flight is delayed on the tarmac. We recommend you read our blog about lengthy tarmac delays so you know your rights if it happens to you.

Flight Issues at the Airport in the Last 3 Years? You May Be Eligible for Up to $650 in Compensation

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Flight Issues at the Airport: What to Do When Things Go Wrong

1. Know Your Rights: EC 261 Regulation

Flight delays, cancellations, strikes, and overbooking are just some of the issues you might face at the airport. But there’s good news: your passenger rights are protected under the European Union’s EC 261 regulation, which was established in 2004. This law holds airlines accountable and requires them to assist you, refund your ticket, or even compensate you for problems with your flight or baggage.

2. Rebooking or Ticket Refund

If your flight has been canceled, the airline must book you on an alternate flight that departs as soon as possible. If the proposed solution doesn’t work for you, you can choose not to fly and request a refund for your ticket. Additionally, if you’ve experienced a delay of more than 5 hours at the airport, you have the right to cancel your flight and receive a refund for the portion of the journey not completed. If necessary, you’re also entitled to a return flight to your original departure airport.

3. Request Assistance

If you encounter an issue at the airport that results in a delay of at least two hours, you’re entitled to assistance. The airline is required to provide you with food and drinks, as well as access to communication — including two phone calls, emails, or faxes. If your flight is delayed overnight or your wait extends into the next day, you’re entitled to a hotel room and transportation to and from the airport.

You’re entitled to assistance in the following cases:

A delay of 2 hours or more for flights of 1,500 km or less;
A delay of 3 hours or more for intra-EU flights over 1,500 km and non-EU flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km;
A delay of 4 hours or more for non-EU flights over 3,500 km.

4. Claim Compensation

In addition to airport assistance, rebooking on alternate flights, and ticket refunds, the EC 261 regulation also provides for compensation of up to $650 per passenger. In other words, the European regulation grants passengers the right to be compensated for any inconvenience caused by the airline, whether it’s due to overbooking, delays, or flight cancellations. If you’ve experienced any air travel disruptions in the past three years, you might be entitled to compensation — find out now using our compensation calculator.

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Flight Delays and Cancellations: How to Get Compensation

Canceled Flights and Airport Delays: How to Claim Compensation

Whether you’ve encountered an issue at the airport today or within the past three years, you might be eligible for compensation from the airline. To file a compensation claim, follow these steps:

Keep your boarding pass and any other flight-related documents handy, especially those containing your booking confirmation code.
Request detailed information from ground staff about the disruption — delay, cancellation, etc. Try to get precise details, as they will be useful when you submit your compensation claim.
Notes and photos: record the actual arrival time at your destination — the time when the plane doors open, not just the landing time — and take pictures of the airport departure board.
Avoid signing or accepting offers that might waive your rights. For example, vouchers for future travel or other compensation offered by the airline could imply that you’re giving up the right to further compensation.
Keep receipts for any additional expenses due to the delay. For international flights, you may be able to get reimbursed for these extra costs.

Which Airports Are Covered by EC 261?

The EC 261 regulation applies to all airports within the European Union, including those in the European Economic Area (EEA) countries — Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. It also applies to flights departing from airports outside the EU, EEA, or Switzerland if operated by European airlines.

The table below summarizes all applicable scenarios:

Itinerary	EU air carrier	Non-EU air carrier
From inside the EU to inside the EU	✔️ Covered	✔️ Covered
From inside the EU to outside the EU	✔️ Covered	✔️ Covered
From outside the EU to inside the EU	✔️ Covered	❌ Not Covered
From outside the EU to outside the EU	❌ Not Covered	❌ Not Covered

How Much Compensation Can You Get?

If your flight was canceled, delayed, or overbooked, and it falls under the EC 261 regulation, you may be entitled to compensation. The delay must be at least three hours, and the exact amount depends on the flight distance. The table below provides a clear overview:

Distance	Compensation
All flights 1,500 km or less	$270
Internal EU flights over 1,500 km	$430
Non-internal EU flights between 1,500 km - 3,500 km	$430
Non-internal EU flights over 3,500 km	$650

Why AirHelp?

AirHelp…

Is the world’s largest flight compensation company.
Works with lawyers in 35+ countries.
Uses state-of-the-art technology to pursue each claim.
Takes the stress out of the claim process.
Operates on a no win, no fee basis.
Fights for passenger rights.

Flight disruptions due to airport issues do happen, and you have the right to receive compensation if you are affected. AirHelp makes the process of claiming easy and stress-free. We handle all of the heavy lifting for you!

AirHelp is the largest flight compensation company worldwide, with a network of lawyers in over 35 countries, providing support to customers in 19 languages. We have innovative technology to assess and pursue each claim, which allows us to work on your claim quickly and efficiently.

Plus, we operate on a no-win, no-fee basis, eliminating the risk for you. So if you need help getting compensation for a flight disruption due to an airport issue, fill out our form today.

We’re always here to help.

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