Know Your Rights When Travelling

Flight delays can ruin travel plans, but they don’t have to ruin your finances too. Over the years, I’ve experienced many delays, and each has taught me the importance of knowing your rights and claiming what you’re owed.

Under EU261 rules, if your flight is delayed by more than 3 hours, cancelled, or you’re denied boarding due to overbooking on an eligible flight, you may be entitled to compensation of up to €600 depending on the flight distance and delay length. These rules apply if your flight departs from any EU airport (including Norway, Iceland, Switzerland) or if you are flying to the EU with an EU-based airline. Importantly, compensation is separate from any refunds or rebooking you may receive, and it is your right even if the ticket was purchased with points or by someone else. Always keep receipts of expenses during your delay, and be aware that airlines do not have to pay compensation if the delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances (such as extreme weather or airport strikes), but technical issues and airline staff shortages usually do not count as extraordinary. Knowing your EU261 rights ensures you can confidently claim what you are owed when travel doesn’t go to plan.

My Morocco Delay: Getting €400 Compensation

One of my first delays was on a return flight from Morocco with my mum, where our flight was delayed by over three hours. We each received €400 in compensation. Considering the entire four-day trip cost us less than £500, we actually profited from the delay!

The process was straightforward:
✅ We confirmed the delay was over 3 hours.
✅ We kept receipts for food and drink while waiting.
✅ We claimed as soon as we returned.

It was a reminder that as frustrating as delays are, you shouldn’t let airlines waste your time without paying compensation.

What You Need to Know

• Check your rights before travelling: EU & UK laws protect you for delays of 3+ hours on eligible flights, but non-EU airlines have different rules.

• Keep receipts: For all expenses during delays (food, transport, accommodation).

• Claim quickly: The sooner you act, the easier the process.

• Consider using services like Compensair if you don’t have time, but read the fine print as they take a small fee.

• Be prepared to escalate: If airlines refuse fair compensation, small claims court can help you recover your losses.

Delays may be frustrating, but they don’t need to be financially draining if you stand your ground and claim what you’re entitled to.

Your time is valuable, and airlines should be held accountable when they waste it.