This is one of the most valuable passenger rights in the world and the vast majority of Australian travellers have never heard of it.
What is EU261?
EU261 is a European regulation that entitles passengers to financial compensation when flights arrive significantly late, are cancelled, or result in denied boarding. The compensation amounts are substantial, up to €600 per person depending on the flight distance and length of delay.
A Real Example
On a flight from Miami to Barcelona, the departure was more than four hours late and the arrival into Spain came in roughly three and a half hours behind schedule. Under EU261, arriving into an EU airport more than three hours late triggered an entitlement to €600 in compensation.
Being Australian made no difference. The regulation applies to any flight arriving into an EU airport on an EU carrier, or departing from an EU airport on any carrier regardless of nationality.
How Airlines Try to Avoid Paying
Airlines frequently cite extraordinary circumstances to avoid liability. Weather events and air traffic control delays can qualify as extraordinary circumstances and may void the claim. Mechanical faults and staffing issues generally do not, and compensation is still owed in those cases.
How to Claim
Start by submitting a claim directly with the airline. If they refuse or do not respond within a reasonable timeframe, escalate to the national enforcement body in the country of departure. Each EU member state has one and they exist specifically to handle these disputes.
Have you ever successfully claimed EU261 compensation? Share your experience in the comments.