Your flight was delayed or cancelled. It’s unfortunate, but it happens. The first thing you need to do is take a deep breath and make alternative accommodations with your airline. If you still want to travel, they can get you on the next available flight. If you want to terminate your trip, they can offer you a full or partial refund. You have options, so don’t settle for less than you want.
Now that that’s squared away check your eligibility under EC 261. Depending on the circumstances of your flight issue, you could receive up to £600 in compensation from your airline. It can be intimidating to file a claim, so here’s a template you can use to get started.
Key Takeaways
- Take a deep breath and make alternative accommodations with your airline. You have options, so don’t settle for less than you want.
- Check your eligibility under EC 261. Depending on the circumstances of your flight issue, you could receive up to £600 in compensation from your airline.
- To claim compensation under EC 261, you need to file a formal complaint with your airline and include all documentation that supports your claim.
- Use a template like the one provided in the article to get started, and remember to customize and add your name and details where applicable.
- If the airline refuses to pay, you may need to partner with a flight compensation company that has specialists on staff who can help you win your claim.
Flight Delay Compensation Letter Template
You need to file a formal complaint with your airline to claim compensation under EC 261. In addition to the letter, you must also include all your documentation that supports your claim. This could be emails about the delay, pictures of the board if you’re at the airport, or any other communication you may have received. All of this will help make your case. As long as the airline was at fault, you could get back £600 for your inconvenience.
Once you have everything together, it’s time to write your cover letter, and below is a sample of what it could look like. Remember to customize and add your name and details where applicable. Incomplete claims will likely be denied, so it’s important to include all pertinent information.
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Airline Name]
[Airline Address]
Subject: [Flight Information] EC 261 Claim
To Whom It May Concern,
My name is [Name], and I am filing for compensation under Article 7 Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004. My flight [flight number] on [flight date] was delayed by the airline, and [booking number] is my booking number for your reference.
The following are my flight details:
- [Departure time] from [Departure Airport] in [Departure Airport City]
- [Arrival time] at [Arrival Airport] in [Arrival Airport City].
My flight was delayed by [length of the delay in hours], and please find the details of my delay and other pertinent travel documents attached.
This delay was not caused by extraordinary circumstances, and as a result, I am entitled to [compensation amount] under EC 261. The compensation may be transferred to the following bank account within the next 14 business days.
[Account Holder]
[BIC/SWIFT]
[IBAN]
[Bank Address]
[Account Currency]
I expect to receive the compensation within the next 14 business days. Otherwise, I will seek legal representation.
Thank you,
[Full Name]
How To Check EC 261 Eligibility
If you’re not sure how much compensation you are entitled to, you can use our claim checker. You simply enter your flight information, including your departure, destination, and more. Our tool will show you if you are eligible and how much you are entitled to claim, which will help you as you consider how to write a flight delay compensation letter.
While airlines are required to pay out if your flight has been delayed more than two hours, some will try to challenge your claim, so you may have to file multiple claims to receive your compensation. If they still refuse to pay, you may need to partner with a flight compensation company.
These companies have specialists on staff who can help you win your claim, and you only pay them if you win, so it’s no risk to you to engage with these companies. We list the best companies, so you can get started with your claim and get the compensation you deserve faster.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What should I do if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
The first thing you should do is take a deep breath and make alternative accommodations with your airline. They can get you on the next available flight if you still want to travel. They can offer you a full or partial refund if you want to terminate your trip.
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How do I know if I’m eligible for compensation under EC 261?
You can use a claim checker to see if you’re eligible and how much you’re entitled to claim. Simply enter your flight information, including your departure, destination, and more, and the tool will show you your eligibility and compensation amount.
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What documentation do I need to include in my complaint letter?
You should include all documentation that supports your claim, such as emails about the delay, pictures of the board if you’re at the airport, or any other communication you may have received.
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What should I do if the airline refuses to pay?
If the airline refuses to pay, you may need to partner with a flight compensation company that has specialists on staff who can help you win your claim. You only pay them if you win, so it’s no risk to you to engage with these companies.
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Can I customize the complaint letter template provided in the article?
Yes, you should customize the letter and add your name and details where applicable. Incomplete claims will likely be denied, so it’s important to include all pertinent information.
