AirHelp vs. Flightright: which flight compensation company is best for US travelers?

Flight disruptions happen everywhere — but if you’re a US traveler flying internationally, dealing with cancellations, delays, or denied boarding can be even more stressful. Different countries follow different rules, and knowing what you’re entitled to (and how to claim it) is often confusing.

That’s why many passengers turn to companies that specialize in helping people get the compensation they’re owed.

Two of the most recognizable names are AirHelp (that’s us 👋) and Flightright.

This guide provides a clear, fair comparison — with one important note. We believe our data, experience, and global coverage make AirHelp the more complete fit for American travelers.

The US Department of Transportation (DOT) does not require airlines to compensate passengers for delays or cancellations the way European laws do. In the US, compensation is mostly limited to denied boarding due to overbooking.

But under European and UK regulations (like EU261/UK261), passengers on flights to or from Europe can be entitled to significant cash compensation of up to $650 per person — even if they live in the US.

That means if you’re an American flying:

• from the US to Europe on a European or UK airline

• from Europe to the US on any airline

• or within Europe on any carrier

…you may have rights you don’t even know about.

So having a service that understands global rules, not just European ones, makes a big difference. That’s where AirHelp and Flightright start to diverge.

While both companies help passengers claim compensation under EU/UK regulations, they operate differently and offer different levels of support. Here’s how they compare for US travelers.

AirHelp: Built for global passengers

AirHelp supports flights covered by EU261/UK261 as well as many international itineraries, including those starting, ending, or connecting in the United States. Our team and systems are designed for cross-border cases — the kind American travelers routinely experience.

We’ve also helped over 3 million passengers worldwide get compensation — a scale that gives American travelers confidence that we’ve seen just about every type of disruption and airline situation out there.

Our online reviews (235,000 and counting) reflect that global reach. With hundreds of thousands of reviews across multiple platforms, over 1 million followers on social media, including a strong presence on Trustpilot and other US-accessible review sites, AirHelp has built a reputation for reliability, transparency, and consistent results.

Flightright: focused on the European market

Flightright has a strong reputation in Europe and specializes in EU and UK claims. Its service is designed primarily for passengers flying on routes covered by EU261 and UK261 regulations.

For U.S. travelers, AirHelp takes a broader approach. Beyond EU and UK cases, AirHelp also educates U.S. travelers about the protections they do have under U.S. law, such as refund rules and tarmac-delay rights. And for travelers seeking extra peace of mind on purely domestic flights, AirHelp+ flight protection insurance provides additional flight protection that goes beyond what U.S. law requires. AirHelp also handles claims in jurisdictions beyond the EU and UK, including Brazil, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia.

For US travelers taking long-haul or multi-leg flights, AirHelp offers broader coverage.

Here's how AirHelp and Flightright compare at a glance:

*Under EU261, compensation is paid in euros, up to €600 per passenger (roughly $650). VAT is a European tax that does not apply to US-based customers.

US travelers using AirHelp pay only the 35% service fee, with no additional charges. You only pay the percentage fee if we win your case — nothing upfront.

AirHelp’s fee is slightly higher than some Europe-only services because the support we provide is broader and built for global passengers. For many U.S. travelers, claiming compensation under EU261/UK261 often involves complex, multi-country cases, mixed airlines, and cross-border legal challenges. That’s where AirHelp invests heavily — and where our customers benefit most.

Global legal network built for cross-border cases

AirHelp works with legal teams in multiple jurisdictions, including those relevant for flights that start or end in the United States. This gives American travelers enforcement options that match the international nature of their itineraries.

Higher acceptance of complex itineraries

Many U.S. travelers don’t fly simple point-to-point routes. Their journeys often involve multi-leg trips, non-EU carriers, codeshares, and long-haul disruptions. AirHelp is structured to take on more of these cases, which require more time and legal resources.

No VAT or extra charges for U.S. passengers

For U.S. customers, AirHelp's 35% fee is the final amount — no VAT, no administrative charges, no additional percentages. You only pay the agreed fee if we win.

Technology and support designed for international consumers

From automated claim screening to real-time case tracking and 24/7 multilingual support, AirHelp provides a full digital experience that caters to travelers across the world, not just within Europe.

More than a claims service

With AirHelp+ flight disruption and luggage insurance, app features including free flight tracking, real-time notifications, compensation claiming, and ongoing traveler protection, AirHelp offers benefits beyond the handling of individual claims, giving travelers ongoing protection before, during, and after their trips.

With a free app and an optional inbox connection, AirHelp proactively identifies compensation opportunities from disrupted flights — past and future — without you having to track anything manually.

Summary

AirHelp handles a wider range of eligible cases, invests more in global legal coverage, and provides additional tools and protections for international travelers. For U.S. customers taking long-haul or multi-stop flights, that extra capability is often what justifies the slightly higher fee.

AirHelp: Large global presence, consistent standards

Because we help passengers from all over the world — including many from the US — our experience spans different legal systems, languages, and airline behaviors. Our processes are standardized, and our service is designed to be intuitive even if you’ve never submitted a claim before.

Flightright: Established and trusted in Europe

Flightright has built a strong reputation within the European market, where its focus on EU and UK regulations has made it a well-known name among European travelers.

Modern travelers rely on digital solutions — especially when dealing with international trips, lost time and money, and time-zone differences.

AirHelp offers:

• A free mobile app with flight tracking and real-time alerts

• Global legal support across multiple jurisdictions

• AI-powered tools for efficient claim processing and monitoring

• AirHelp+ (optional) with disruption insurance and airport lounge access during qualifying delays

Flightright offers:

• A web-based claim submission platform with legal support for EU and UK compensation claims

Both companies average 8–14 weeks, depending largely on how quickly airlines respond and whether legal action is required. In most cases, the timeline is set by the airline, not the compensation service.

AirHelp's scale and AI-powered processing are designed to keep claims moving through internal stages as efficiently as possible, particularly for cases involving US-based passengers, cross-border disputes, or complex itineraries.

If you’re flying from the United States, to the US, or on multi-leg international routes

AirHelp is typically the stronger fit for US travelers, for a few specific reasons:

• Coverage that extends beyond EU/UK regulations to multiple global jurisdictions

• Simple, flat pricing for US customers

• Tools designed with international itineraries in mind

• Additional services such as AirHelp+ flight protection for disruptions and luggage issues

• A legal network that can operate across jurisdictions involving non-European carriers

American travelers frequently encounter mixed carriers, code-share flights, and complex multi-leg itineraries. These are the kinds of cases where AirHelp's broad infrastructure is particularly useful.

For US travelers, we believe AirHelp offers the more complete fit — our service is built for global passengers, not exclusively for European ones.

Flightright is a solid choice for travelers flying on purely EU and UK routes, where its specialization is a genuine strength. For Americans whose itineraries tend to span continents, carriers, and regulations, AirHelp's broader coverage, global legal network, and additional services add up to a more practical solution when a flight goes wrong.

Whether you were delayed, canceled, or denied boarding — if your trip involved Europe or a European carrier, you may be entitled to cash compensation.

Check your flight eligibility in minutes.

(That’s where we shine!)