Flight compensation
Flight delay compensation
Find out when you are entitled to compensation if your flight was delayed.
Single flights and connecting flights
For a single flight, it must arrive at the destination ≥ 3 hours late. If the journey consists of several flights under one contract of carriage and the delay occurs on the first flight, causing you to miss the connection, you are entitled to compensation if you accept the new flight offered and reach the final destination ≥ 3 hours late.
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. A breach of each new contract of carriage is assessed separately (see C-832/18, Finnair).
How arrival time is determined
Arrival time is fixed at the moment at least one aircraft door is opened and passengers are allowed to leave (C-452/13).
Common examples
| Situation | Distance | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Intra-EU flight (e.g. Tallinn–Riga) arrived ≥ 3 h late | < 1,500 km | 250 € |
| EU → third country (e.g. Tallinn–Antalya) arrived ≥ 3 h late | 1,500–3,500 km | 400 € |
| Third country → EU with an EU carrier (e.g. Hurghada–Tallinn) arrived ≥ 3 h late | > 3,500 km, crossing the EU border | 600 € |
If the journey consisted of two flights on one booking, e.g. Tallinn – Helsinki – New York (6,669 km in total), and the first flight was so delayed that you missed the connection and reached the final destination ≥ 3 hours late, you are entitled to 600 €. The same applies if the first flight ran on time but the connecting flight was delayed.
Extraordinary circumstances
No compensation is payable if the airline proves the delay 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 after the circumstance has ended. In practice airlines often fail to prove they took all reasonable measures.
Single contract of carriage and PNR code
A single contract of carriage is a one-way booking with one PNR code or e-ticket number. Always check your booking reference: if it is the same on every flight, it is one journey. If the codes differ (e.g. a ticket bought through an intermediary), each flight is assessed separately — this directly affects the amount and your right to claim.
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