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- How to use AirHelp to claim flight compensation
How to use AirHelp to claim flight compensation
If your flight was delayed, canceled, or overbooked, you could be owed up to €600 compensation per passenger under EU rules — and AirHelp can handle the whole process for you.
This guide explains when you're eligible for flight delay compensation, walks you through the AirHelp claim form step by step, and covers timelines and fees so you know what to expect.
AirHelp is designed for passengers who want a simpler, less time-consuming way to claim. Instead of contacting the airline yourself and managing follow-ups, AirHelp handles the submission process and escalates the case if necessary. Claim deadlines vary by route and country, so it's worth checking your flight as soon as possible.
Under EU Regulation EC 261/2004 (EC 261), you may be entitled to EU flight compensation if your flight was delayed by 3 or more hours, canceled at short notice, or you were denied boarding due to overbooking. Compensation ranges from €250 to €600 depending on the distance of your flight.
You won't be eligible if the disruption was caused by extraordinary circumstances — severe weather, for example — that were outside the airline's control.
Start with our free eligibility checker to see if your flight disruption could qualify for AirHelp flight compensation. The form guides you through it — here's a preview.
Enter your departure airport and final destination, then confirm whether your flight was direct or had a connection.
Tell us your travel date, airline, and flight number — this is all we need to start building your case.
Let us know what happened: whether your flight was delayed, canceled, or you were denied boarding.
If your flight was delayed, tell us how late you arrived at your destination.
Step 2: fill in your details
Enter your first name, last name, and email address to create an account and continue with your claim.
Enter your booking reference number — you'll find this in your original booking confirmation email.
Step 3: provide supporting documentation
If your flight qualifies, we'll show you your estimated compensation. Draw your signature to authorise AirHelp to act on your behalf via the AirHelp assignment agreement.
We only charge a success fee if we secure your compensation from the airline.
Upload your travel document and ID so we can verify your claim. Your data is kept safe and secure.
Add any extra details about what happened, and let us know if you've already been in touch with the airline.
That's it — your claim has been submitted. You'll receive a unique AirHelp claim ID, which you can use to check your AirHelp claim status at any time via the free AirHelp app.
AirHelp takes your case to the airline
After you submit your claim, AirHelp prepares everything and contacts the airline for you. We manage the communication and follow up if the airline delays or rejects your claim. If needed, we escalate the case — including taking legal action — to help reach a decision.
We secure your compensation and pay you
If your claim succeeds, the airline pays flight compensation (from €250 to €600, depending on your flight distance and the rules that apply). We transfer the money to you, then deduct our small success fee only after we win.
AirHelp works on a no win, no fee basis. If we don’t win your claim, you don’t pay a success fee.
Breakdown of AirHelp fees:
Standard success fee: a 35% fee is deducted from your compensation only after a successful claim.
Additional fee if legal action is required: if your case needs court action, an additional 15% fee applies.
No win, no fee: if AirHelp is not successful in securing your compensation, you pay nothing.
For a full breakdown, see our fees page.
Example payout calculation
If the airline pays €600 in compensation:
With the standard 35% success fee deducted, you receive a total of €390
If legal action is required and our additional 15% legal fee is deducted, you receive a total of €300.
AirHelp is a flight compensation company that has been operating since 2013 and has helped millions of passengers claim compensation.
Trust and credibility
Years in operation: 13+
Number of passengers compensated: over 3 million
Number of Trustpilot reviews: 235,000+
Number of people helped: over 28 million
Who benefits most from AirHelp:
AirHelp works best for
Passengers who want to claim compensation with the largest company in the flight compensation industry
Passengers who aren't sure if they're eligible for compensation
Passengers who don't speak the airline's language
Frequent flyers, families, and business travelers
Passengers traveling on connecting flights involving non-EU airlines
Passengers who want peace of mind
Passengers who want to enforce their air passenger rights
Passengers who don't want to spend their time chasing airlines
Passengers whose claims were rejected, ignored, or unresolved
Passengers with complex cases (connections, multiple travelers, disputed disruptions)
Is AirHelp free to use?
You can check eligibility for free. If you submit a claim, AirHelp charges a fee only if the claim is successful. (Internal link: fees page)
How long does an AirHelp claim take?
Some claims take weeks. Others take months. Timing depends on the airline, case complexity, and whether the case needs escalation.
Can I use AirHelp for old flights?
Often, yes. Claim deadlines vary by country and legal rules. It’s best to check your flight as soon as possible. As a rule of thumb, flights up to around 3 years old still qualify for compensation.
Does AirHelp work for non-EU flights?
Sometimes. Coverage depends on the route, airline, and which passenger rights apply. Start with the eligibility check.
