Table of Contents
- The 2025 Compensation Landscape at a Glance
- EU 261, UK 261, Montréal Convention—Who Qualifies?
- Step-by-Step Claim Workflow (DIY vs. No-Win-No-Fee Services)
- Evidence Checklist: The Six Docs Airlines Can’t Refuse
- Top Claim Platforms Compared (Fees, Payout Speed, Win Rate)
- Special Cases: Strikes, Extraordinary Circumstances, Codeshares
- Tax & Banking Tips to Keep the Full €600
- 24-Hour Action Plan: From Boarding Pass to Bank Account
1 | The 2025 Compensation Landscape
Since Lufthansa v Flightright (C-28/22) clarified “arrival delay” as gate-open time, average payouts rose 17 % in 2024. In 2025, over €1.3 billion is set aside by EU carriers for passenger claims. Even non-EU airlines on EU soil owe up to €600 cash, not vouchers, when arrival is ≥3 h late and the cause rests with the carrier. The UK’s post-Brexit Statutory Instrument 2024/122 mirrors EU 261 but pegs compensation to miles flown instead of distance bands—frequently higher on trans-Atlantic routes.
2 | Who Qualifies?
| Rule | Coverage | Max Payout | Key Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU 261 | Flights departing the EU or arriving on an EU carrier | €250–€600 | Delay ≥3 h, cancellation <14 days, denied boarding |
| UK 261 (2024) | UK-origin or UK-carrier legs | £220–£780 | Delay ≥3 h; payout by great-circle miles |
| Montréal Convention | >136 ICAO states | ~€6,000 (damage proven) | Must show “provable loss” |
| Brazil Res. 400 | Domestic & intl. flights in Brazil | R$10,000 cap | Meal voucher + full refund option |
Extraordinary circumstances (ATC strikes, weather) exempt airlines under EU 261 but NOT under Montréal if negligence can be proven—keep news clippings.
3 | Step-by-Step Claim Workflow
- Collect documents: boarding pass, e-ticket, delay email, receipts (food, hotel), pictures of departure board.
- Calculate entitlement: use EUcalculator.app—enter flight number → output legal article + euros.
- DIY route
- Fill airline web form (“EU 261 claim”).
- Attach docs; cite C-28/22 and request payout to IBAN.
- Set calendar reminder for 30 days; if no reply → step 4.
- Escalate
- National Enforcement Body (NEB) in departure state.
- Or lodge ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution) in UK (free).
- No-win-no-fee services (AirHelp, Flightright, Compensair)
- Upload PDF bundle; sign e-mandate.
- Typical fee 25–35 %; payout in 6–12 weeks.
4 | Evidence Checklist
- PDF boarding pass (mandatory)
- Passport photo page (identity)
- Delay certificate from gate staff (ask politely)
- Receipts for meals/hotel (keep originals)
- Photo of flight board showing delay code (DELAYED or CNL)
- Credit-card statement (for Montréal claims)
5 | Top Claim Platforms Compared
| Platform | Success Fee | Avg Payout Time | Win Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AirHelp Plus | 25 % | 8 weeks | 92 % | Monthly subscription €49 covers unlimited claims |
| Flightright | 27 % | 6 weeks | 96 % | Best court litigation record in DE |
| Compensair | 30 % | 9 weeks | 91 % | Supports 15 languages |
| ClaimCompass | 35 % | 7 weeks | 88 % | Pays via Wise in 24 currencies |
6 | Special Cases
- Staff Strikes: Still claimable unless “wildcat”; cite C-195/17 Krüsemann.
- Weather: If earlier or later flights by same airline depart, argue “reasonable measures not taken.”
- Codeshare: Choose operating carrier; show SSR code on itinerary if airline tries to shift blame.
- Missed Connection: Entire booking counts; segment must cause 3 h arrival delay at final destination.
7 | Tax & Banking Tips
- Compensation is non-taxable in EU & UK.
- U.S. citizens: treat as liquidated damages—not reported as income.
- Use a FinTech EUR IBAN (Wise/Revolut) to dodge inbound wire fees; withdraw in local currency at mid-market FX.
8 | 24-Hour Action Plan
- Upload docs to cloud immediately.
- Enter flight into EUcalculator.app; screenshot result.
- File airline web form tonight.
- Schedule NEB escalation in 30 days.
- If cash not received in 45 days, hand off to AirHelp and enjoy your €600.