Flight Delayed? You Could Be Entitled to Compensation in the EU & Serbia
Flying can be exciting—but delays can quickly turn a trip into a stressful experience. The good news? If your flight was significantly delayed, you may have the right to claim compensation.
Under European Regulation EC 261, which applies in the EU and Serbia, passengers who arrive at their destination 3 or more hours late may be entitled to up to €600, depending on the flight distance and circumstances.
Air Fair Pay is here to help you understand your rights and handle the process of claiming what’s rightfully yours. If your flight was delayed, check your eligibility today.
What You Should Know About Flight Delay Compensation in the EU & Serbia
Under European Regulation EC 261, airlines are required to compensate passengers for significant flight delays if the delay is within the airline’s control. This regulation protects your rights as a passenger traveling to, from, or within the EU, as well as on flights to and from Serbia.
Compensation can be claimed for delays that cause you to arrive at your final destination 3 or more hours late, with amounts varying based on flight distance.
Our team at Air Fair Pay simplifies the process, offering a free eligibility check and a no win, no fee service to help you secure your compensation.
How to Claim Compensation Under EU Regulation EC 261 in EU & Serbia
Under EU Regulation EC 261, which applies in the EU and Serbia, you may be entitled to up to €600 in compensation if certain conditions are met. This regulation exists to protect passengers when delays are the airline’s fault.
You may qualify for compensation if:
- Your flight arrived at your final destination over 3 hours late
- Your flight departed from an EU or Serbian airport, or arrived in the EU/Serbia on an EU-based airline
- You checked in on time (typically at least 45 minutes before departure)
- The delay occurred within the last 3 years
- The delay was caused by the airline (e.g., operational or technical issues—not extraordinary circumstances)
Important: Receiving a meal, refreshment, or voucher from the airline does not impact your right to claim cash compensation.
What Compensation Can You Receive for a Delayed Flight?
How Much Compensation Should You Get for Flight Delay?
When it comes to flights falling under the purview of EU law EC 261, a delay exceeding 3 hours automatically triggers your eligibility to claim compensation due to the inconvenience caused by the late flight.
The precise amount of your entitled flight delay compensation hinges on several factors, primarily the duration of your delay and the distance of your flight.
Right to Care: What You Can Get Besides EU Flight Delay Compensation
When you're stuck waiting for the airline to get you back on track toward your destination, European law EC 261 says you're entitled to some essentials, depending on your flight details.
The carrier must provide you with meals and refreshments during the delay as well as access to communications, including two telephone calls, telex or fax messages, and emails.
If overnight accommodation is necessary, they must provide you with a hotel room, and transportation to and from the airport.
Which Flights Are Eligible for Compensation?
Does EC 261 Apply to All Delayed Flights?
Not all flights are covered—but many are, even beyond the borders of the European Union.
EC 261 covers:
- All flights departing from an airport in the EU or Serbia, regardless of the airline's origin.
- Flights arriving in the EU or Serbia from a non-EU country, as long as the airline is based in the EU.
In addition to the 27 EU member states, EC 261 also applies to:
- Serbia (through national legislation that adopts EU regulation)
- Iceland
- Norway
- EU's outermost regions, including:
- French Guiana and Martinique
- Guadeloupe and La Réunion
- Saint-Martin
- Madeira
- The Azores
- The Canary Islands
A common misconception is that EC 261 only protects flights within Europe. But its coverage is much broader—meaning millions of international travelers are potentially eligible for compensation under this regulation.
How EU & Serbian Flight Delay Compensation is Calculated
When it comes to claiming compensation under EU Regulation EC 261, the key moment is not the flight's departure time—but the actual time you arrive at your final destination.
Even if your flight takes off late, the airline may make up time in the air. So what exactly counts as the arrival time?
In a 2014 ruling by the European Court of Justice (Case C-452/13), the term "arrival time" was clarified:
It is the moment the aircraft has reached its final destination and at least one of its doors is opened, allowing passengers to disembark.
This matters because the delay is officially measured by how late you're allowed to leave the plane, not when the wheels touch the runway.
The difference between landing time and door-opening time can sometimes be 15 minutes or more—which could make or break your eligibility for compensation. That's why accuracy matters when calculating your arrival delay for a potential compensation claim.
