Flight Cancellation Rights
Compensation Guide
When your flight is cancelled, you have three distinct rights: rebooking OR refund (your choice), care (meals/hotel while waiting), and compensation (if notice was under 14 days and no extraordinary circumstances).
Refund: Always — regardless of cause. Must be cash, not vouchers. EU261 requires processing within 7 days.
Compensation: Triggered when notice was under 14 days. Under 7 days = full amount. 7-13 days = possible 50% reduction if adequate rerouting offered. 14+ days = no fixed compensation.
You never have to accept vouchers or credits. Cash refunds are your legal right under both EU261 and US DOT rules.
Gyro writers are subject matter experts in passenger rights who use primary, trustworthy sources to inform their work, including EU regulations, government publications, court rulings, and airline policies. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness, and relevance.
Three rights: 1) Rebooking or full refund (your choice). 2) Care: meals, hotel, transport. 3) Compensation: €250-€600 if notice was under 14 days.
Always — regardless of cause. EU261 requires cash refund within 7 days. US DOT requires automatic cash refunds. Never accept a voucher unless you choose to.
How much compensation for a cancelled flight?
Under 7 days: full compensation (unless rerouted to arrive max 2hrs late). 7-13 days: possible 50% reduction. 14+ days: no fixed compensation.
No. Under EU261 and US DOT, you can insist on a cash refund. Vouchers are optional — airlines that only offer vouchers are violating the regulation.
Weather is generally extraordinary circumstances — no compensation. But you're still entitled to a full cash refund and care rights (meals, hotel). If other airlines flew the route, challenge the excuse.
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