Frankfurt Airport Flight Delay and Cancellation Compensation

Flight delays and cancellations are the most frequent issues faced by travelers. Luckily, the European Union has EU Regulation 261/2004, which guarantees that you, as a passenger, are not left in a difficult situation and that your rights are protected. The European Union Regulation 261/2004 defines the conditions in which passengers are entitled to compensation and assistance in cases of flight disruption.

Here, you will find everything you need to know about European Union Regulation 261 and in which situations you are entitled to compensation.

Passenger Rights under EU 261/2004

According to EU Regulation 261/2004, passengers flying to or from Frankfurt Airport on flights operated by EU-based airlines have specific rights when facing significant delays or cancellations. These rights include:

• Food and drinks: Airlines must provide proper refreshments and snacks during the waiting period.
• Access to means of communication: Passengers should be provided two free phone calls, emails, or faxes.
• Hotel accommodation if necessary: If an overnight stay is needed, the airline is required to provide accommodation and transportation to and from the hotel.
• Ticket refund or alternative flight: Passengers may select from a full refund of their ticket or rebooking on an alternative flight to their final destination.
• Compensation: According to the flight distance and length of delay, passengers may be eligible for financial compensation ranging from €250 to €600.

Frankfurt Airport Flight Delay Compensation

Flyers experiencing flight delays at Frankfurt Airport might be eligible for compensation of up to 600 euros per person, especially if the delay lasts longer than three hours. The right to compensation is decided by the reason for the delay and whether it adheres to UK and EU laws. The amount of compensation is based on the time of arrival at the destination rather than departure time and is influenced by the distance of the flight and the duration of the delay.

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

Keep in mind that airlines are not required to provide compensation for delays due to extraordinary circumstances outside their control.

Frankfurt Airport Flight Cancellation Compensation

In the event of a flight cancellation causing inconvenience at the Frankfurt Airport, under EU 261/2004, passengers are eligible to receive compensation of up to €600 if the airline notifies them of the cancellation less than 14 days before departure.

Nonetheless, there are exceptions to this law. The airline may be exempt from compensating passengers if it provides an alternative flight that meets certain criteria, letting you arrive at your destination with the minimal delay possible:

Advance Notice	Re-routing Requirements
14 Days	None
7 – 13 Days	Alternative flight departing no more than 2 hours before and arriving less than 4 hours after the original flight
Less than 7 Days	Alternative flight departing no more than 1 hour before and arriving less than 2 hours after the original flight

Financial compensation could still be available even though you agree to an alternative flight, provided your arrival at the final destination is significantly delayed. The compensation amount is based on the flight distance and the duration of the delay. You can check the following table to figure out the amount of compensation you are entitled to:

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

Keep in mind that airlines usually don’t offer compensation for cancellations caused by extraordinary circumstances outside their control, such as severe weather or strikes by air traffic controllers.

Which Frankfurt Airport Flights are Covered by EU261?

If you are departing from an airport within the European Union and flying with an airline flight from the EU, you are protected under EU Regulation 261/2004. This law ensures that you have certain rights in case of a delay, flight cancellation, denied boarding, and other similar situations. Here’s a more detailed table of what situations are protected by EU Regulation 261 and which are not:

Itinerary	EU Airline	Non-EU Airline
Departures from Frankfurt Airport to anywhere	Yes	Yes
Arrivals at Frankfurt Airport from inside the EU	Yes	No
Arrivals at Frankfurt Airport Airport from outside the EU	Yes	No

How to Claim Compensation from Frankfurt Airport

Flight disruptions are common due to factors such as bad weather, air traffic congestion, technical problems, or crew shortages. If you encounter a flight disruption at Frankfurt Airport, you may be entitled to compensation under EU 261/2004.

To initiate your compensation claim, proceed with these steps:

1. Fill in this form. You’ll need to provide details such as your flight number, date, and the issue you encountered.
2. Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will handle the rest. We understand the EU laws comprehensively and will strive to secure your compensation. You only incur a fee if we win your case.