How to Claim Flight Compensation Yourself

Before you write anything, collect everything you'll need. Most claims fail or take months to resolve because the passenger didn't have clear evidence.

Required for any claim

• Booking confirmation or e-ticket (shows flight number, date, route, ticket price)
• Boarding pass (digital screenshot or physical scan)
• Your passport or ID (for identity verification)
• Proof of the disruption — one or more of: cancellation email, delay screenshot from the airline app, photo of the departure board, text message from the airline

Strengthens your claim

• Receipts for out-of-pocket expenses: meals, hotels, alternative transport, phone calls
• Photos of information boards showing the delay time
• Screenshots of any airline communication (denied compensation, offered vouchers, etc.)
• The original flight's scheduled arrival vs actual arrival time
• If the airline blamed extraordinary circumstances, any evidence that contradicts them (other flights left on time, weather wasn't severe, etc.)

The rules are different depending on where you fly. Picking the right one matters. Citing the wrong regulation weakens your case.

Quick lookup

• Departing EU/EEA on any airline → EU261
• Arriving EU/EEA on an EU-licensed airline → EU261
• Departing UK on any airline → UK261
• Arriving UK on a UK-licensed airline → UK261
• Canadian airline or Canadian airports → APPR
• International flight (any route) with actual out-of-pocket damages → Montreal Convention
• Departing Brazil or Brazilian airline → ANAC 400/2022
• Departing Israel or Israeli airline → Israel Aviation Services Law

Some flights qualify under more than one law. For example, a JFK→CDG flight on Lufthansa falls under both EU261 (fixed €600 compensation) and the Montreal Convention (actual damages). You can claim under whichever pays more — or both, if they cover different losses.

Your demand letter is the formal claim. Keep it short, factual, and direct. Here's a template you can adapt.

Subject: Compensation Claim under EU Regulation 261/2004 — Flight [FLIGHT NUMBER] on [DATE]

Dear [Airline] Customer Service Team,

I am writing to claim compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004 for the disruption to my flight [FLIGHT NUMBER] from [ORIGIN] to [DESTINATION] on [DATE].

Booking reference: [PNR / BOOKING CODE]
Passenger name: [FULL NAME]

The flight [was delayed by X hours at arrival / was cancelled with less than 14 days' notice / was overbooked and I was denied boarding involuntarily].

Under Article [7 for delay/cancellation, 10 for downgrade] of EU Regulation 261/2004, I am entitled to compensation of EUR [AMOUNT] based on the flight distance of approximately [X] km.

Please transfer this amount to the following account within 14 days:

[YOUR BANK DETAILS or "Please confirm acceptable payment methods."]

I have attached my booking confirmation, boarding pass, and evidence of the disruption for your reference. If you believe this claim is not valid, please provide a specific reason citing applicable regulations.

I look forward to your response within 14 days of this letter. After that period, I will escalate this claim to [the appropriate national enforcement body — e.g., the UK Civil Aviation Authority for UK flights, or relevant national authorities for EU flights].

Sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]
[DATE]
[EMAIL]
[PHONE (optional)]

Tips

• Replace every [BRACKETED] item with your actual details.
• Use the exact compensation amount from our Eligibility Checker.
• Attach your documents — airlines often claim they "didn't receive" evidence.
• Send via the airline's official complaint form, not a general support email.
• Keep the tone firm but professional. Never threaten in the first letter.

Where to send

Each airline has an official complaints page or form. Use that — not a random support email.

How to find it:

• Go to the airline's main website
• Look for Help, Contact, Customer Relations, or Feedback in the header/footer menu
• Then look for EU261, Compensation, Flight Disruption, or Refunds in the submenu
• Some airlines require you to use their specific EU261 form — Ryanair especially will reject any complaint not sent through their own form

Examples of airline terms to search for:

• Lufthansa: "Lufthansa feedback form" or "Lufthansa EU261"
• British Airways: "BA customer relations" or "BA compensation claim"
• Air France: "Air France claim form"
• KLM: "KLM complaints"
• Ryanair: "Ryanair EU261 form" (use Ryanair's dedicated form only)
• easyJet: "easyJet customer support"

For any other airline, search "[airline name] + EU261 compensation form" or "[airline name] + customer relations".

Response timelines

• Most airlines respond within 14-30 days
• EU261/UK261: there's no strict legal deadline, but most airlines respond within 4-8 weeks. If they don't, you can escalate to the national enforcement body
• APPR: airlines must respond within 30 days after they have all the documents for your claim
• If silent after 30 days, send a polite follow-up

If they offer vouchers or miles

Airlines often offer travel vouchers, miles, or partial cash as their first response. Under EU261, UK261, and APPR, you have the right to full cash compensation. Vouchers don't cancel out what the airline owes you.

Response template: "Thank you for your offer. However, EU261 grants me the right to monetary compensation under Article 7. I decline the voucher and request cash compensation of EUR [AMOUNT]."

Airlines deny many valid claims hoping you'll give up. But most denials get reversed when you push back the right way.

If the airline refuses

1. Read their denial letter carefully. If they claim "extraordinary circumstances," ask for specific evidence: which exact circumstance, what the airline did about it, and any documentation.
2. Send one more letter explaining what's wrong with their reasoning. Cite ECJ rulings that help your case — for technical issues, Wallentin-Hermann v. Alitalia (2008); for staff strikes, Krüsemann v. TUIfly (2018).
3. If they still refuse, escalate to the appropriate authority.

Where to escalate

• EU flights (EU261): Your country's National Enforcement Body. Find yours at transport.ec.europa.eu/transport-modes/air/passenger-rights_en
• UK flights (UK261): Civil Aviation Authority at caa.co.uk/passengers, or an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) body like AviationADR or CEDR
• Canadian flights (APPR): Canadian Transportation Agency at otc-cta.gc.ca
• Small claims court: Available in most countries for claims below a certain limit. The limit varies — for example, £10,000 in England/Wales; typically €5,000-€10,000 across the EU.

Cost of small claims court

You usually don't need a lawyer for small claims court. Filing fees are small (typically €0-200 depending on the country — France is free for most small claims). If you win, the airline pays your costs. If you lose, you may have to pay the airline's costs. But for clear EU261 claims, the law is usually so clear that most judges will rule in your favor.

Many national enforcement bodies will investigate your complaint before you need to go to court. Their decisions often pressure the airline to pay without going to court.

Realistic timelines

• Airline response: 30-60 days
• Enforcement body investigation: 3-6 months
• Small claims court: 6-12 months
• Total DIY process: 6-18 months in disputed cases