Flight compensation
Flight cancellation compensation
When a flight is cancelled or its schedule changed, what matters most is how early you were informed.
Notification deadlines
| Notice | Compensation |
|---|---|
| More than 14 days before departure | No compensation |
| 7–14 days before departure | No compensation if the new flight leaves no more than 2 h earlier and arrives no more than 4 h later (2 ← 0 → 4) |
| Less than 7 days before departure | No compensation if the new flight leaves no more than 1 h earlier and arrives no more than 2 h later (1 ← 0 → 2) |
Disruption of the replacement flight
If the replacement flight offered is also delayed or cancelled, you may become entitled to a second compensation of the same amount (C-832/18, Finnair).
Returning to the airport or landing elsewhere
If the aircraft took off but returned to the airport or landed at a different airport, the flight is treated as cancelled. If the flight later took place with the same aircraft, it is treated as a delay.
Departure moved earlier or later
If departure is moved earlier by more than 1 hour, it is treated as a cancellation. Postponements are also governed by the cancellation rules and notice periods.
Common examples
Condition: notice less than 7 days before departure or none, and you were not offered a free new flight leaving ≤ 1 h earlier and arriving ≤ 2 h later.
| Situation | Compensation |
|---|---|
| Intra-EU flight (e.g. Tallinn–Prague), < 1,500 km | 250 € |
| EU → third country (e.g. Tallinn–Antalya), 1,500–3,500 km | 400 € |
| Third country → EU with an EU carrier (e.g. New York–Helsinki), > 3,500 km | 600 € |
If the journey consisted of two flights on one booking (e.g. Tallinn – Helsinki – New York, 6,669 km) and the first flight was cancelled, causing you to miss the connection, you are entitled to 600 €. The same applies if the connecting flight was cancelled.
Extraordinary circumstances
No compensation is payable if the airline proves the cancellation was caused by an extraordinary circumstance that could not have been avoided even with all reasonable measures (Art. 5(3)). Even then the airline must offer a flight at the first opportunity. If the replacement flight is arranged unreasonably late, the right to compensation remains.
Was your flight cancelled?
Fill in a short form in 2–3 minutes and we will carry out a free preliminary assessment of your case.
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