Whenever flights are delayed or cancelled, it can be frustrating and inconvenient for passengers. However, the European Union has a regulation 261/2004 that helps protect passengers in these situations. Under EU 261/2004, if your flight is cancelled or delayed, the airline has to provide you with compensation and assistance.
Passenger Rights Under EU 261/2004
EU Regulation 261 is the regulation that covers the rights of air passengers. In particular, this law covers different situations, including flight cancellations, delays, rebooking, etc., and obligates airlines to resolve individual cases with care and fairness. If the situation occurs due to the airline’s fault, any passenger who underwent certain inconveniences has a right to get compensation. In addition, travelers may be eligible for certain benefits, which we will discuss further in the article.
Right to Compensation
EU Regulation 261 includes rules concerning the process of compensation, including assistance for passengers who suffered from issues with flights. Specifically, the amount of compensation you can expect to receive is up to 600 euros per person. This sum varies, based on your circumstances.
Compensation for Cathay Pacific Flight Cancellation
First and foremost, travelers need to know that the airline is required to notify them about the flight cancellation. If the airline notifies you less than fourteen days before the date of your flight and does not provide any alternative flight, the airline, according to the EU 261 regulation, is obligated to compensate you compensation of 250 – 600 euros.
At the same time, if a passenger is offered an alternative flight but arrives at his destination later than the scheduled arrival time of the original flight, the passenger may also be entitled to compensation. The table below shows the airline’s obligations based on the duration of the delay:
| Under 2 hours | 2-3 hours | 3-4 hours | Over 4 hours | Never arrived | Distance |
| €125 | €250 | €250 | €250 | €250 | All flights 1,500 km or less |
| €200 | €200 | €400 | €400 | €400 | Internal EU flights over 1,500 km |
| €200 | €200 | €400 | €400 | €400 | Non-internal EU flights 1,500 km- 3,500 km |
| €300 | €300 | €300 | €600 | €600 | Non-internal EU flights over 3,500 km |
Compensation for Cathay Pacific Flight Delay
When a flight is delayed for 3+ hours, the airline is required to provide compensation. If the flight is delayed for 5 hours or more, the passenger can expect a ticket refund or an alternative flight to the final destination.
Furthermore, in such situations, the airline is also required to provide a passenger with beverages, some food, and accommodation. See key information about compensation in the table below:
| Less than 3 hours | Between 3-4 hours | Over 4 hours | Distance |
| €0 | €250 | €250 | All flights up to 1500 km |
| €0 | €400 | €400 | All flights between 1500 km and 3500 km |
| €0 | €400 | €400 | All intra-EU flights over 3500 km |
| €0 | €300 | €600 | All non-EU flights over 3500 km |
Right to Care
Right to Care pertains to a specific aspect of European Union Regulation 261/2004, which establishes regulations on assistance and compensation for travelers in cases of denied boarding, flight cancellations, or long delays.
The “Right to Care” under EU261/2004 obliges airlines to provide certain services and assistance to passengers affected by significant delays or cancellations. These include:
- Food and drinks appropriate to the waiting time
- Hotel accommodation if an overnight stay becomes necessary
- Transport between the airport and the place of accommodation
- Two free phone calls, emails, or faxes
Upgrading and Downgrading
In situations where a passenger receives an alternative flight, it is helpful to know about upgrading and downgrading the flight’s class.
In situations, when the airline provides you with a higher class (for example, you booked Economy but were upgraded to Business class), you will not have to pay extra for this service.
Regarding downgrading in class (if you had a Business class ticket, but were downgraded to Economy), you are entitled to receive reimbursement. Here, it’s important to note that the amount of compensation is determined by the distance of a flight:
- 30% of the flight tickets cost for a 1,500 km distance or less;
- 50% of the flight tickets cost (specifically, for intra-EU flights that are over 1,500 km and all other flights with a 1,500 km and 3,500 km distance;
- 75% of the ticket price for flights with a 3,500+ km distance.
Consider that these rights apply to any flights inside the European Union, as well as flights departing from or arriving in the European Union by airlines based in the EU.
When Are You Not Entitled to Compensation?
Unfortunately, there are situations, when passengers aren’t eligible for compensation for cancelled or delayed flights. Particularly, we talk about extraordinary circumstances that are not within the airline’s control. A few examples are as follows:
- Bad weather conditions and natural disasters;
- Political circumstances (related security risks, terrorist attacks);
- A collision of the aircraft and foreign objects (birds, for instance);
- Unruly or very ill passengers;
- Strikes (that are not caused by the airline’s crew).
In addition, if the airline could hypothetically have done something to avoid problems with the flight and failed to handle the situation, you can claim compensation.
Which Flights are Covered by EU 261/2004?
European Union Regulation 261 applies to all flights departing from European Union airports. It also applies to flights arriving in the EU if the airline is based in the EU. This includes airlines from EU countries as well as Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.
Nevertheless, Cathay Pacific isn’t a European airline. Consequently, they are not obliged to pay compensation if their flights operate outside of the European Union. This applies even to their flights to the European Union if they start outside the EU.
| Itinerary | Covered by EU 261 |
| Flights departing from the EU airports | ✔️ Yes |
| Flights arriving at the EU airports | ❌ No |
How to Claim Cathay Pacific Compensation
Flight cancellation or delay is an unpleasant situation that can not only upset you but also ruin all your travel plans. Passengers who unfortunately encounter a flight cancellation or delay should be aware of the process to seek compensation. To apply for compensation, follow these steps:
- Fill in this form. You’ll need to provide details including your flight number, date, and the problem you faced.
- Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will handle the rest. We know the EU laws comprehensively and will do our best to obtain your rightful compensation. You are only charged if we win your case.
Recent Flight Delays and Cancellations
Was your flight delayed or cancelled without a valid reason? Check our table for the latest flight delays and cancellations. Assess your right to compensation using our claim checker, and let us protect your rights and pursue compensation for you.
Did not find your flight in our table? Try our compensation form, and we will check it for you.
| Date | Airline (Flight number) | Route | Status | Your compensation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
09.05.202519:50 | Cathay Pacific 6336 | Tokyo (HND) Tokyo (CTS) | delayed | Refunds |
09.05.202518:45 | Cathay Pacific 6360 | Tokyo (HND) Aomori (AOJ) | delayed | Refunds |
09.05.202517:30 | Cathay Pacific 6346 | Tokyo (HND) Obihiro (OBO) | delayed | Refunds |
09.05.202516:20 | Cathay Pacific 542 | Hong Kong (HKG) Tokyo (HND) | delayed | Refunds |
09.05.202512:45 | Cathay Pacific 1841 | Madrid (MAD) Barcelona (BCN) | delayed | Refunds |
09.05.202512:45 | Cathay Pacific 6389 | Kagoshima (KOJ) Tokyo (HND) | delayed | Refunds |
09.05.202511:00 | Cathay Pacific 6387 | Kagoshima (KOJ) Tokyo (HND) | delayed | Refunds |
09.05.202508:45 | Cathay Pacific 6337 | Tokyo (CTS) Tokyo (HND) | delayed | Refunds |
09.05.202507:40 | Cathay Pacific 6338 | Kagoshima (KOJ) Tokyo (HND) | delayed | Refunds |
08.05.202520:42 | Cathay Pacific 7515 | Dallas (DFW) Seattle (SEA) | delayed | Refunds |
08.05.202518:45 | Cathay Pacific 6360 | Tokyo (HND) Aomori (AOJ) | delayed | Refunds |
08.05.202518:40 | Cathay Pacific 6328 | Tokyo (HND) Tokyo (CTS) | delayed | Refunds |
08.05.202517:55 | Cathay Pacific 6304 | Tokyo (HND) Kagoshima (KOJ) | delayed | Refunds |
08.05.202517:30 | Cathay Pacific 6340 | Tokyo (HND) Asahikawa (AKJ) | delayed | Refunds |
08.05.202517:30 | Cathay Pacific 6332 | Tokyo (HND) Tokyo (CTS) | delayed | Refunds |
08.05.202517:25 | Cathay Pacific 6342 | Tokyo (HND) Hakodate (HKD) | delayed | Refunds |
08.05.202517:10 | Cathay Pacific 6344 | Tokyo (HND) Kushiro (KUH) | delayed | Refunds |
08.05.202516:40 | Cathay Pacific 7164 | Hamburg (HAM) London (LHR) | delayed | Refunds |
08.05.202516:30 | Cathay Pacific 6330 | Tokyo (HND) Tokyo (CTS) | delayed | Refunds |
08.05.202512:37 | Cathay Pacific 7583 | Minneapolis (MSP) (ORD) | delayed | Refunds |
08.05.202510:05 | Cathay Pacific 543 | Tokyo (HND) Hong Kong (HKG) | delayed | Refunds |
08.05.202509:55 | Cathay Pacific 6321 | Tokyo (HND) Hong Kong (HKG) | delayed | Refunds |
08.05.202509:45 | Cathay Pacific 6343 | Hakodate (HKD) Tokyo (HND) | delayed | Refunds |
08.05.202509:15 | Cathay Pacific 6707 | Frankfurt (FRA) Budapest (BUD) | delayed | Refunds |
08.05.202508:37 | Cathay Pacific 7903 | Seattle (SEA) Vancouver (YVR) | delayed | Refunds |
07.05.202518:20 | Cathay Pacific 6362 | Tokyo (HND) Hiroshima (HIJ) | delayed | Refunds |
07.05.202517:10 | Cathay Pacific 6344 | Tokyo (HND) Kushiro (KUH) | delayed | Refunds |
07.05.202514:30 | Cathay Pacific 7948 | San Francisco (SFO) Seattle (SEA) | delayed | Refunds |
07.05.202511:00 | Cathay Pacific 6387 | Kagoshima (KOJ) Tokyo (HND) | delayed | Refunds |
07.05.202510:50 | Cathay Pacific 6333 | Tokyo (CTS) Tokyo (HND) | delayed | Refunds |
07.05.202510:00 | Cathay Pacific 6347 | Obihiro (OBO) Tokyo (HND) | delayed | Refunds |
07.05.202509:55 | Cathay Pacific 6321 | Tokyo (HND) Hong Kong (HKG) | delayed | Refunds |
07.05.202509:45 | Cathay Pacific 6327 | Tokyo (CTS) Tokyo (HND) | delayed | Refunds |
07.05.202508:45 | Cathay Pacific 6337 | Tokyo (CTS) Tokyo (HND) | delayed | Refunds |
07.05.202502:20 | Cathay Pacific 5629 | Tokyo (HND) Hong Kong (HKG) | delayed | Refunds |
07.05.202501:35 | Cathay Pacific 9275 | Doha (DOH) Nairobi (NBO) | delayed | Refunds |
06.05.202523:15 | Cathay Pacific 255 | Hong Kong (HKG) London (LHR) | delayed | Refunds |
06.05.202520:45 | Cathay Pacific 7065 | Kelowna (YLW) Vancouver (YVR) | delayed | Refunds |
06.05.202520:42 | Cathay Pacific 7515 | Dallas (DFW) Seattle (SEA) | delayed | Refunds |
06.05.202519:59 | Cathay Pacific 7999 | Seattle (SEA) San Francisco (SFO) | delayed | Refunds |
06.05.202519:50 | Cathay Pacific 6336 | Tokyo (HND) Tokyo (CTS) | delayed | Refunds |
06.05.202519:45 | Cathay Pacific 6312 | Tokyo (HND) Aomori (AOJ) | delayed | Refunds |
06.05.202518:00 | Cathay Pacific 7864 | Vancouver (YVR) Seattle (SEA) | delayed | Refunds |
06.05.202517:00 | Cathay Pacific 7028 | Vancouver (YVR) Kelowna (YLW) | delayed | Refunds |
06.05.202516:35 | Cathay Pacific 6386 | Tokyo (HND) Kagoshima (KOJ) | delayed | Refunds |
06.05.202513:54 | Cathay Pacific 7503 | Seattle (SEA) Dallas (DFW) | cancelled | Refunds |
06.05.202512:00 | Cathay Pacific 6361 | Aomori (AOJ) Tokyo (HND) | delayed | Refunds |
06.05.202511:55 | Cathay Pacific 6331 | Tokyo (CTS) Tokyo (HND) | delayed | Refunds |
06.05.202510:05 | Cathay Pacific 6341 | Asahikawa (AKJ) Tokyo (HND) | delayed | Refunds |
06.05.202510:00 | Cathay Pacific 6347 | Obihiro (OBO) Tokyo (HND) | delayed | Refunds |
06.05.202510:00 | Cathay Pacific 7920 | Los Angeles (LAX) Seattle (SEA) | delayed | Refunds |
06.05.202509:55 | Cathay Pacific 6321 | Tokyo (HND) Hong Kong (HKG) | delayed | Refunds |
06.05.202509:45 | Cathay Pacific 6343 | Hakodate (HKD) Tokyo (HND) | delayed | Refunds |
06.05.202509:45 | Cathay Pacific 6327 | Tokyo (CTS) Tokyo (HND) | delayed | Refunds |
06.05.202508:45 | Cathay Pacific 6337 | Tokyo (CTS) Tokyo (HND) | delayed | Refunds |
06.05.202508:40 | Cathay Pacific 6367 | Aomori (AOJ) Tokyo (HND) | delayed | Refunds |
06.05.202508:37 | Cathay Pacific 7903 | Seattle (SEA) Vancouver (YVR) | delayed | Refunds |
06.05.202508:13 | Cathay Pacific 7865 | Seattle (SEA) San Francisco (SFO) | delayed | Refunds |
06.05.202507:55 | Cathay Pacific 6318 | Tokyo (CTS) Tokyo (HND) | delayed | Refunds |
06.05.202507:40 | Cathay Pacific 6338 | Kagoshima (KOJ) Tokyo (HND) | delayed | Refunds |
05.05.202520:25 | Cathay Pacific 9082 | Townsville (TSV) Brisbane (BNE) | delayed | Refunds |
05.05.202519:50 | Cathay Pacific 6336 | Tokyo (HND) Tokyo (CTS) | delayed | Refunds |
05.05.202519:50 | Cathay Pacific 6368 | Tokyo (HND) Hiroshima (HIJ) | delayed | Refunds |
05.05.202519:45 | Cathay Pacific 6312 | Tokyo (HND) Aomori (AOJ) | delayed | Refunds |
05.05.202518:40 | Cathay Pacific 6360 | Tokyo (HND) Aomori (AOJ) | delayed | Refunds |
05.05.202518:35 | Cathay Pacific 6144 | Hong Kong (HKG) Hangzhou (HGH) | delayed | Refunds |
05.05.202518:20 | Cathay Pacific 6362 | Tokyo (HND) Hiroshima (HIJ) | delayed | Refunds |
05.05.202518:00 | Cathay Pacific 7864 | Vancouver (YVR) Seattle (SEA) | delayed | Refunds |
05.05.202517:40 | Cathay Pacific 9079 | Brisbane (BNE) Townsville (TSV) | delayed | Refunds |
05.05.202517:35 | Cathay Pacific 7185 | London (LHR) Berlin (BER) | delayed | Refunds |
05.05.202517:30 | Cathay Pacific 6346 | Tokyo (HND) Obihiro (OBO) | delayed | Refunds |
05.05.202517:25 | Cathay Pacific 6342 | Tokyo (HND) Hakodate (HKD) | delayed | Refunds |
05.05.202517:15 | Cathay Pacific 6316 | Tokyo (HND) Memanbetsu (MMB) | delayed | Refunds |
05.05.202517:10 | Cathay Pacific 6344 | Tokyo (HND) Kushiro (KUH) | delayed | Refunds |
05.05.202516:35 | Cathay Pacific 6386 | Tokyo (HND) Kagoshima (KOJ) | delayed | Refunds |
05.05.202516:30 | Cathay Pacific 6330 | Tokyo (HND) Tokyo (CTS) | delayed | Refunds |
05.05.202516:20 | Cathay Pacific 549 | Tokyo (HND) Hong Kong (HKG) | delayed | Refunds |
05.05.202516:10 | Cathay Pacific 7189 | London (LHR) Berlin (BER) | delayed | Refunds |
05.05.202513:40 | Cathay Pacific 7900 | Vancouver (YVR) Seattle (SEA) | delayed | Refunds |
05.05.202512:55 | Cathay Pacific 6601 | Zurich (ZRH) Brussels (BRU) | delayed | Refunds |
05.05.202512:35 | Cathay Pacific 783 | Hong Kong (HKG) Denpasar (DPS) | delayed | Refunds |
05.05.202512:30 | Cathay Pacific 6250 | Hong Kong (HKG) Wuxi (WUX) | delayed | Refunds |
05.05.202512:00 | Cathay Pacific 6361 | Aomori (AOJ) Tokyo (HND) | delayed | Refunds |
05.05.202512:00 | Cathay Pacific 7802 | Melbourne (MEL) Santiago (SCL) | delayed | Refunds |
05.05.202511:55 | Cathay Pacific 1876 | Madrid (MAD) Jerez De La Frontera (XRY) | delayed | Refunds |
05.05.202511:55 | Cathay Pacific 6331 | Tokyo (CTS) Tokyo (HND) | delayed | Refunds |
05.05.202511:00 | Cathay Pacific 6387 | Kagoshima (KOJ) Tokyo (HND) | delayed | Refunds |
05.05.202510:05 | Cathay Pacific 543 | Tokyo (HND) Hong Kong (HKG) | delayed | Refunds |
05.05.202509:45 | Cathay Pacific 6327 | Tokyo (CTS) Tokyo (HND) | delayed | Refunds |
05.05.202509:25 | Cathay Pacific 6706 | Budapest (BUD) Frankfurt (FRA) | delayed | Refunds |
05.05.202508:55 | Cathay Pacific 6707 | Frankfurt (FRA) Budapest (BUD) | delayed | Refunds |
05.05.202508:37 | Cathay Pacific 7903 | Seattle (SEA) Vancouver (YVR) | delayed | Refunds |
04.05.202520:09 | Cathay Pacific 7858 | San Francisco (SFO) Seattle (SEA) | delayed | Refunds |
04.05.202520:00 | Cathay Pacific 7925 | Seattle (SEA) Los Angeles (LAX) | delayed | Refunds |
04.05.202519:59 | Cathay Pacific 7924 | Los Angeles (LAX) Seattle (SEA) | delayed | Refunds |
04.05.202519:40 | Cathay Pacific 9203 | Hong Kong (HKG) Doha (DOH) | delayed | Refunds |
04.05.202519:15 | Cathay Pacific 565 | Taipei (TPE) Hong Kong (HKG) | delayed | Refunds |
04.05.202519:15 | Cathay Pacific 6308 | Tokyo (HND) Kagoshima (KOJ) | delayed | Refunds |
04.05.202519:10 | Cathay Pacific 603 | Hong Kong (HKG) Kathmandu (KTM) | delayed | Refunds |
04.05.202518:40 | Cathay Pacific 6328 | Tokyo (HND) Tokyo (CTS) | delayed | Refunds |
