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Delayed Flight Compensation: Everything You Need to Know
A flight delay can have significant consequences for travel plans, affecting both subsequent connections and scheduled activities at the destination. If this delay exceeds a certain time threshold and is not caused by exceptional circumstances, passengers have the right to request financial compensation, established by Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, legislation applicable throughout the European Union. This regulation provides uniform protection to all passengers flying from or to the EU with community carriers and imposes clear obligations on airlines when delays are due to their internal causes.
When are you entitled to compensation for a delayed flight?
Delay of at least 3 hours at the destination.
The airline is responsible for the delay (e.g., avoidable technical faults).
The delayed flight occurred within the last 3 years.
The flight departs from an airport within the European Union.
The flight is operated by an EU airline, regardless of the arrival location.
The flight delay is due to extraordinary circumstances (e.g., security incidents).
The flight delay is due to adverse weather.
The passenger chose to be re-routed onto an alternative flight that ensured arrival at the original destination as soon as possible or under comparable transport conditions.
What compensation can I receive for a delayed flight?
The amounts granted as compensation in case of delay are proportional to the distance between the departure and destination airports. According to the provisions of Art. 7 of Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, the compensation for delayed flights is:
€250
Compensation per passenger
Less than 1,500 km
€400
Compensation per passenger
Between 1,500 and 3,500 km
€600
Compensation per passenger
Over 3,500 km
Right to Care and Services in Case of Flight Delay
In addition to financial compensation, passengers are entitled to free assistance, which the airline must provide in proportion to the length of the delay. These measures include:
Free meals and refreshments
offered according to the waiting time.
Access to communication
including two free phone calls, sending an email or fax.
Hotel accommodation
if the delay involves an overnight stay.
Transport between the airport and accommodation
fully covered by the airline.
Passengers on a delayed flight have these rights even if they are not eligible for compensation. Therefore, even if the delay is caused by extraordinary circumstances and cannot be sanctioned with financial compensation, airlines must take all necessary measures to prevent any harm caused to passengers by the flight delay.
Procedure for Claiming Compensation
To initiate the compensation claim procedure, it is essential for the passenger to keep a series of supporting documents, which will be necessary when submitting the request to the airline. These include:
Flight ticket or electronic booking confirmation;
Boarding pass, if already issued;
Any proof of the actual arrival time (photos of the display board, mobile apps, screenshots, etc.);
Any official communication regarding the flight cancellation (email, SMS, in-app notification).
Check eligibility
Enter your flight details to confirm if you meet the conditions.
Complete the application
Ensure you include supporting documents such as the flight ticket, boarding pass, and any proof regarding the delay.
Submit the claim
You can send the request directly to Tarom or use specialized services, like ClaimBee, to manage the process for you.
Receive compensation
After the claim is approved, the money is transferred directly to your bank account.
Frequently Asked Questions about Delayed Flight Compensation
Generally, a two-hour delay does not entitle you to financial compensation, but it does activate the right to free assistance, such as refreshments, meals, and means of communication. The right to compensation arises starting from a minimum delay of three hours at the final destination, provided the delay is not caused by extraordinary circumstances.
The amounts provided are the same as for cancellations and are determined based on the flight distance, if the delay at the final destination exceeds 3 hours: €250 for flights up to 1,500 km; €400 for flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km; €600 for flights over 3,500 km, only if the delay is more than 4 hours.
No. The relevant criterion is not the departure time, but the actual arrival time at the final destination. If the aircraft arrives with less than a 3-hour delay, no compensation is granted, even if the departure was significantly delayed.
If all flight segments were booked together as part of a single journey, and the delay at the final destination is over 3 hours, you are entitled to compensation. You also have the right to re-routing or reimbursement, depending on your choice.
Yes. Technical faults are, in most cases, considered to be within the airline's control. Therefore, if the delay is over 3 hours and there are no extraordinary circumstances, compensation is due.
If the plane is on the tarmac and the delay exceeds 3 hours, and the flight does not take off anymore, it is considered a cancelled flight, and the passenger's rights may include compensation, reimbursement, or re-routing. If the flight takes off, only the arrival time matters.
Yes. A delay involves postponing an already planned flight, while rescheduling involves changing the flight time or date with prior notification. If rescheduled more than 14 days in advance, compensation does not apply. If notification is given less than 14 days before, the same rules as for cancellations may apply.
Yes, for flights over 3,500 km arriving with a delay between 3 and 4 hours, the airline can reduce the compensation from €600 to €300 if they offer efficient re-routing and the final delay is under 4 hours.
Ideally, you should keep any document confirming the arrival time (boarding pass, proof of scanning at the gate, emails, or screenshots of the flight status). However, the airline is obliged to provide official information regarding the arrival schedule and the cause of the delay upon the passenger's request.
The Court of Justice of the European Union has established that the actual arrival time is the moment the aircraft doors open at the destination, allowing passengers to disembark. It is not sufficient for the plane to land or reach the gate.
Typically, delays caused by air traffic control are classified as extraordinary circumstances, being outside the airline's control. In these cases, compensation is not granted, but the obligations regarding assistance (meals, drinks, communication, accommodation) remain valid.
Yes. As with cancellations, the time limit depends on national legislation. In Romania, the general statute of limitations is 3 years from the date of the flight. After this period, the right to claim compensation expires.
If your claim remains unanswered or is unjustifiably rejected, you can file a complaint with the national aviation enforcement body or initiate legal proceedings. You can also collaborate with a specialized service that handles the entire procedure on your behalf.