Flight Delay Compensation Calculator (Europe)

This calculator was last updated on July 9th, 2026.

Example 1:

• Flight Distance (km) = 500
• Flight Delay (hours) = 2
• Not eligible for compensation

Example 2:

• Flight Distance (km) = 1200
• Flight Delay (hours) = 3.5
• For EU to EU flights, eligible compensation is €250 per Passenger
• For EU to Non-EU flights, eligible compensation is €250 per Passenger
• For Non-EU to EU flights (EU airlines only), eligible compensation is €250 per Passenger

Example 3:

• Flight Distance (km) = 3000
• Flight Delay (hours) = 3.5
• For EU to EU flights, eligible compensation is €400 per Passenger
• For EU to Non-EU flights, eligible compensation is €400 per Passenger
• For Non-EU to EU flights (EU airlines only), eligible compensation is €400 per Passenger

Example 4:

• Flight Distance (km) = 3800
• Flight Delay (hours) = 5
• For EU to EU flights, eligible compensation is €400 per Passenger
• For EU to Non-EU flights, eligible compensation is €600 per Passenger
• For Non-EU to EU flights (EU airlines only), eligible compensation is €600 per Passenger

How to Calculate Flight Delay Compensation (Europe)

Flight delay compensation in the EU is governed by EU Regulation 261/2004 (EU 261).

First, let’s understand the variables.

Variables

Flight Distance (km): As per EU261 regulations, this distance is the shortest path between two points on the globe, measured in kilometers. Of course, it’s calculated between the departure airport and the arrival airport (the final destination mentioned on your ticket). So, for connecting journeys, the relevant distance is the total journey, not just one leg.

For example, if your flight goes from Paris to Munich but has a stop at another airport in between, let’s say Frankfurt, the regulation does not calculate distance leg-by-leg. Instead, it looks for the shortest path distance between Paris and Munich.

Makes sense?

You can use tools like Google Maps to calculate the distance between two airports.

Flight Delay (hours): This is the number of hours you arrived late at your final destination. Note, it’s the final destination, not intermediate stops.

For example, let’s say your flight goes from Paris to Sao Paulo with a stop at Madrid. Let’s say you arrive at Madrid 1 hour late and 4 hours late at Sao Paulo. Here, you need to take 4 hours as input for the flight delay.

Eligible compensation: You’re not eligible for compensation when the delay is outside the control of the airline, such as severe weather, political instability, security risks, etc. Also, we cannot claim compensation if you’ve already claimed compensation in some other countries. Yes, no double compensation is allowed.

Rules

So, to calculate the flight delay compensation, all you need to do is follow the compensation rules as written in EU 261 regulations.

• No compensation if the delay is less than 3 hours, irrespective of distance and destination.
• Short-distance flights (up to 1500 kms) = €250 per passenger, irrespective of the number of hours of delay and destination.
• Medium-distance flights (1500 kms to 3500 kms) = €400 per passenger, irrespective of the number of hours of delay and destination.
• Long-distance flights (over 3500 kms):
• If both airports are in the EU = capped at €400, irrespective of the number of hours of delay.
• If the route is EU to Non-EU (any airlines) or Non-EU to EU (EU airlines only) = €300 for delays of 3 to 4 hours, €600 for delays beyond 4 hours.