Downgraded to a lower class: the 30 %, 50 % or 75 % refund
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Quick answer
If the airline carries you in a lower class than the one you paid for, it must reimburse within 7 days: 30 % of the ticket price for flights up to 1,500 km, 50 % between 1,500 and 3,500 km (and intra-EU flights over 1,500 km), 75 % for longer flights. The percentage applies to the price of the downgraded flight segment, excluding taxes and charges. This is separate from delay or cancellation compensation and needs no proof of fault.
How much flight compensation could I receive?
€250–€600 per passenger, depending on the distance of the flight, for an arrival delay of 3 hours or more, a cancellation announced under 14 days ahead, or denied boarding on a flight covered by Regulation 261.
Does this apply to your flight?
Does this apply to your flight?
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.
What happened to your flight?
The rule
Article 10 of Regulation 261/2004 covers both directions. Upgraded: the airline may not charge you extra. Downgraded: it must reimburse a share of the ticket price within 7 days, by the same means as a refund.
| Distance | Reimbursement |
|---|---|
| Up to 1,500 km | 30 % |
| 1,500–3,500 km, and intra-EU flights over 1,500 km | 50 % |
| Over 3,500 km (outside the EU) | 75 % |
What price the percentage applies to
In Mennens v Condor (C-255/15) the Court of Justice held that the base is the price of the flight on which you were downgraded — not the whole ticket when it includes other segments — and that taxes and charges that are not linked to the class of travel are excluded. Airlines sometimes apply the percentage to a low “base fare” figure; ask for the breakdown.
Common situations
- Equipment change to a smaller aircraft without a business cabin.
- Overbooked business cabin: you are offered economy rather than being denied boarding.
- A broken seat that leaves you in a lower class for the flight.
Accepting the downgrade at the gate does not waive the reimbursement. If instead you refuse and are left behind, the case becomes denied boarding.
How to claim
Write to the airline with the booking reference, the class booked and the class flown, the flight and its distance band, and the amount requested. Attach the boarding pass showing the seat actually flown. The 7-day deadline runs from your request; escalate through the ADR scheme or enforcement body if it is ignored.
UK and Switzerland
UK261 keeps Article 10 with the same percentages. Switzerland applies the Regulation through the Air Transport Agreement.
Sources
- Court of Justice of the European UnionCase C-255/15 Mennens v Condor — downgrading reimbursement (Article 10) is a percentage of the price of the flight concerned, excluding taxes and charges
- 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
- 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
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