What should I do at the airport first?

Ask staff for the reason and the new plan in writing, request rerouting or a refund as you prefer, keep all boarding passes and receipts, and photograph departure boards. Good documentation is what supports any later claim.

Flight Delayed or Cancelled? Your Rights Explained (EU261)

Q: When does EU261 apply?

In general terms, EU261 covers flights departing from an airport in the EU (plus Iceland, Norway and Switzerland) on any airline, and flights arriving in the EU on an EU-based airline. Your specific situation depends on the route and carrier, so check the current rules or the airline's own information.

Q: Am I owed money for any delay?

No. Compensation generally applies only to longer delays at arrival and to cancellations, and it can be reduced or waived if the airline reroutes you close to your original time or if the cause was an extraordinary circumstance outside its control, such as severe weather. The right to care can apply even when compensation does not.

Q: What is the 'right to care'?

During a long delay you are generally entitled to reasonable care while you wait — such as meals and refreshments appropriate to the waiting time, and hotel accommodation with transfers if an overnight stay becomes necessary. Keep receipts if you have to pay yourself.

Reviewed by the ScanFlyGo team · Last updated: July 2026. This is general information, not legal advice — rules change, so confirm the current details for your route.

Quick answer

If your flight is delayed or cancelled and it falls under EU261, you generally have three things working for you: the right to care while you wait, the right to choose rerouting or a refund, and — for longer disruptions the airline could control — the possibility of fixed compensation. The single best move is to stay at the desk, get the reason and new plan in writing, and keep every receipt.

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Does EU261 cover your flight?

In broad terms, the regulation applies to flights leaving an airport in the EU (plus Iceland, Norway and Switzerland) on any airline, and flights arriving into the EU when operated by an EU-based airline. The exact answer depends on your route and carrier, and the rules are periodically reviewed, so treat the below as a general map rather than a guarantee.

Three rights, in plain language

Right	What it means
Right to care	Reasonable meals, refreshments and, if needed, a hotel and transfers while you wait
Right to choose	Rerouting to your destination, or a full refund if you no longer want to travel
Possible compensation	A fixed sum for longer, airline-controllable disruptions — not for every delay

The right to care

When a delay stretches on, the airline is generally expected to look after you: food and drink suited to the wait, and overnight accommodation with transport if you are stuck until the next day. If the airline does not organise this, keep it reasonable, save your receipts, and claim the costs back afterwards. Do not spend lavishly and expect a full refund — "reasonable" is the standard.

Rerouting or a refund

If your flight is cancelled, you can usually choose between being rerouted to your destination at the earliest opportunity (or a later date that suits you) or getting your money back for the unused parts of the trip. If a refund leaves you needing a new ticket, comparing the whole market quickly helps you rebook sensibly rather than paying whatever the counter offers.

When compensation may — and may not — apply

Fixed compensation is the part travellers ask about most, and also the part most often misunderstood. It generally applies to cancellations and to longer delays measured at your arrival, but it can be reduced if you are rerouted close to your original schedule, and it typically does not apply when the cause was an "extraordinary circumstance" the airline could not control — severe weather, air-traffic-control strikes and certain security issues being common examples. A technical fault the airline is responsible for is treated differently from a storm.

Because amounts and thresholds are set by the regulation and can be updated, check the current figures for your distance band rather than relying on a number you saw years ago.

Steps to take at the airport

Get the reason in writing. The stated cause affects whether compensation applies.
State your choice clearly. Rerouting or refund — tell staff which you want.
Keep everything. Boarding passes, booking references, and all receipts for food or lodging.
Photograph the boards. A timestamped picture of the delay or cancellation helps later.
Be polite but persistent. Desk staff can rebook you faster than a call centre.

Frequently asked questions

When does EU261 apply?

Broadly, to departures from the EU (plus Iceland, Norway and Switzerland) on any airline, and arrivals into the EU on an EU airline. Your route and carrier decide the specifics.

Am I owed money for any delay?

No. Compensation generally applies only to longer, airline-controllable disruptions and can be waived for extraordinary circumstances. Care can still apply even when compensation does not.

What is the right to care?

Reasonable meals and refreshments while you wait, plus a hotel and transfers if you are delayed overnight. Keep receipts if you pay yourself.

What should I do first at the airport?

Get the reason and new plan in writing, choose rerouting or a refund, save all documents and receipts, and photograph the boards.

The bottom line

Disruption is stressful, but your position is stronger than it feels: care while you wait, a choice between rerouting and a refund, and possible compensation for longer delays the airline could control. Document everything, ask clearly, and rebook smartly. Compare alternative flights on ScanFlyGo, browse routes, and track your flight so you see problems early.

Some links on ScanFlyGo are affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This article is general information, not legal advice; always confirm the current rules for your route.