Cancelled flight compensation: notice periods, re-routing rules and amounts
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Quick answer
A cancelled flight covered by EU261, UK261 or the Swiss rules gives you a choice of full refund or re-routing, care while you wait, and fixed compensation of €250–€600 (£220–£520) — unless the airline informed you at least 14 days before departure, offered re-routing within the legal time windows, or proves extraordinary circumstances.
How much compensation could I receive for a cancelled flight?
€250–€600 per passenger, by distance, when the airline told you less than 14 days before departure and did not re-route you within the legal time windows — unless it proves an extraordinary circumstance. A refund or re-routing is due in every case.
Does this apply to your flight?
Was your flight cancelled?
A few short questions — no flight number needed yet. You get a preliminary result on the facts you give; the full check confirms it from the itinerary.
Already known from this page
- Cancelled
When were you told about the cancellation?
| Distance | EU / CH (Reg. 261/2004) | UK261 |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 1,500 km | €250 | £220 |
| 1,500 – 3,500 km | €400 | £350 |
| Over 3,500 km, both airports in EU/EEA | €400 | — |
| Over 3,500 km | €600 | £520 |
Prepare the claim letter
Enter your flight and what happened; get the regulation, the amount, the evidence list and an editable letter — free.
Your three rights when a flight is cancelled
- Refund or re-routing (Article 8): a full refund of the unused parts of the ticket within 7 days — plus a flight back to your departure point if the trip no longer makes sense — or re-routing to your final destination at the earliest opportunity or on a later date of your choice.
- Care (Article 9): meals, refreshments, communication, and a hotel with transport if you have to wait overnight.
- Compensation (Articles 5 and 7): the fixed amount, subject to the exceptions below.
The airline must offer the choice between refund and re-routing. If it only offers a voucher, you can insist on cash.
The notice-period exceptions
No fixed compensation is due if the airline informed you of the cancellation:
| Notice | Condition for no compensation |
|---|---|
| 14 days or more before departure | Always exempt |
| 7 to 13 days before | Only if the replacement flight departed no more than 2 hours earlier and arrived less than 4 hours later than the original |
| Less than 7 days before | Only if the replacement flight departed no more than 1 hour earlier and arrived less than 2 hours later than the original |
The airline must prove when and how it informed you (Krijgsman, C-302/16). A message sent to a travel agent that never reached you does not count — the airline remains liable to you.
Amounts and the 50% reduction
Amounts follow the distance bands (€250 / €400 / €600; £220 / £350 / £520). When the airline offers re-routing and you arrive within 2 hours (up to 1,500 km), 3 hours (1,500–3,500 km) or 4 hours (over 3,500 km) of the original arrival time, it may halve the amount.
Extraordinary circumstances
As with delays, the airline can refuse compensation only by proving extraordinary circumstances that could not have been avoided. Cancellations for “operational reasons”, aircraft rotation, technical faults or crew shortages are normally compensable. Weather, ATC, security and airport strikes may be extraordinary — but the airline must prove the causal link and that it took reasonable measures such as sourcing another aircraft.
Cancelled while you were already travelling
If you were already at the airport, or the cancellation happened after a delay, you were informed less than 7 days before departure: the strictest re-routing window applies and compensation is normally due unless the airline proves extraordinary circumstances.
What to keep
- the cancellation notice (email, SMS, app screenshot) with its timestamp;
- any replacement flight offered, with its scheduled times;
- receipts for meals, hotels and transport if the airline did not provide them.
How to claim
Claim from the operating airline in writing, quoting Articles 5 and 7 of Regulation 261/2004 (or the UK equivalent), the notice date and the re-routing offered — the claim letter guide gives the cancellation wording and the generator writes the letter from your flight. If the airline refuses, escalate to the national enforcement body of the departure country or the airline’s ADR scheme.
Frequently asked questions
Do I get compensation if my flight was cancelled two weeks before departure?
Not fixed compensation: cancellations announced 14 days or more before departure are exempt. You still choose between a full refund and re-routing, and get care if you travel on the replacement.
Can I refuse the rebooking and get my money back?
Yes. When a flight is cancelled the airline must offer you the choice between a refund of the unused ticket (within 7 days, in money) and re-routing. Compensation, where due, comes on top of either choice.
Does a rebooking on the next day cancel my compensation?
No. Inside 7 days' notice, compensation is only excluded if the replacement departed at most 1 hour early and arrived less than 2 hours late; a next-day flight always exceeds that. The airline also owes a hotel and meals for the night.
Who has to prove when I was informed of the cancellation?
The airline. Under Article 5(4) the burden of proving whether and when the passenger was informed lies with the operating carrier; if it cannot show you were told 14 days ahead, compensation is due.
Sources
- Court of Justice of the European UnionCase C-302/16 Krijgsman v SLM — the operating carrier bears the burden of proving the passenger was informed of the cancellation in time
- European CommissionInterpretative Guidelines on Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 (2016/C 214/04)
- European Parliament and CouncilRegulation (EC) No 261/2004 establishing common rules on compensation and assistance to passengers in the event of denied boarding and of cancellation or long delay of flights
- European Union — Your EuropeAir passenger rights
- UK Civil Aviation AuthorityDelays and cancellations — your rights
- UK Government — legislation.gov.ukRegulation (EC) No 261/2004 as retained in UK law (assimilated law)
Last legally reviewed: 12 September 2026 · Content updated: 12 September 2026
Cancelled with less than 14 days’ notice?
Enter the flight, when you were told and what was offered; the check applies the notice and re-routing windows and tells you the amount.