Complete guide to your passenger rights in 2026 under EU261 (Europe) and DOT (US), with euro and dollar amounts, deadlines and how to claim without a lawyer.
Complete guide to your passenger rights in 2026 under EU261 (Europe) and DOT (US), with euro and dollar amounts, deadlines and how to claim without a lawyer.
EU261 (Regulation EC 261/2004) covers: flights departing from any EU/EEA/Switzerland/UK airport + flights arriving in the EU on an EU carrier. **Fixed compensation: €250 (<1,500km), €400 (1,500-3,500km or intra-EU), €600 (>3,500km)**. Paid in cash or bank transfer, not in miles or vouchers.
3h+ arrival delay qualifies for EU261 since the Sturgeon vs Condor 2009 ruling. Cancellation with less than 14 days' notice also qualifies (except "extraordinary circumstances": severe weather, ATC strike, terrorist act — airline's own crew strike is NOT extraordinary since 2018).
US DOT Rule 2024: a canceled or "significantly changed" flight obliges **automatic cash refund within 7 business days** (credit card) or 20 days (cash) — implemented October 2024. No fixed compensation. 3h+ delay forces refund of "extras" purchased (seat, baggage).
Complaint platforms (AirHelp, RightCharter, ClaimCompass, AirCare): charge **25-50% of recovered amount**. Worth it for EU261 flights where the airline denies or stalls 6+ months. Not worth it for US domestic (DOT enforces, file at transportation.gov/airconsumer).
Time limit to file EU261: **5 years in most EU countries** (varies — UK 6 years, Spain 5, Germany 3). US DOT: 2 years for civil claims.
Complete guide to your passenger rights in 2026 under EU261 (Europe) and DOT (US), with euro and dollar amounts, deadlines and how to claim without a lawyer.
