Cancelled and delayed flights are the most common issues encountered by travelers. Fortunately, the European Union has EU Regulation 261/2004, which ensures that you, as a passenger, are not left in a difficult situation and that your rights are protected. The EU 261/2004 defines the situations under which passengers are entitled to compensation and assistance in the event of flight disruption.
In this article, you will discover everything you need to know about EU 261 regulation and when you are entitled to compensation.
Passenger Rights under EU 261/2004
Under EU 261, passengers arriving at Seattle–Tacoma International Airport from EU countries or departing from Seattle–Tacoma International Airport to anywhere on flights operated by airlines from the EU have certain rights. These rights include:
- Food and drinks: Airlines must provide proper meals and refreshments during the waiting period;
- Access to means of communication: Passengers should be provided two free phone calls, emails, or faxes;
- Hotel accommodation if necessary: When an overnight stay is necessary, the airline is obligated to offer assistance, including hotel stays and transport to and from the hotel;
- Ticket refund or alternative flight: Travelers can select either a full refund of their ticket, including any extra costs, or rebooking on an alternative flight to their final destination;
- Compensation: If the delay did not result from extraordinary circumstances and was within the airline’s control, travelers have the right to claim financial compensation ranging from €250 to €600, depending on the flight distance and length of the delay.
Seattle–Tacoma International Airport Flight Delay Compensation
Flyers encountering flight delays at Seattle–Tacoma International Airport could be eligible for compensation of up to 600 euros per person, especially if the delay lasts longer than three hours. The eligibility for compensation is decided by the cause of the delay and whether it adheres to UK and EU regulations. The amount of compensation is determined 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 flight delays due to extraordinary circumstances outside their control.
Seattle–Tacoma International Airport Flight Cancellation Compensation
In case of a cancelled flight causing inconvenience at the Seattle–Tacoma International Airport, under EU Regulation 261, travelers may get compensation of up to €600 if the airline informs them less than 14 days before departure.
However, there are exceptions to this law. The airline may be exempt from compensating passengers if it provides an alternative flight that meets specific 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 |
Compensation might still be available even when you accept an alternative flight, provided your arrival at the final destination is significantly delayed. The compensation amount is determined by 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 typically don’t offer compensation for cancellations caused by extraordinary circumstances beyond their control, such as severe weather or air traffic control strikes.
Which Seattle–Tacoma International Airport Flights are Covered by EU261?
While Seattle–Tacoma International Airport is not within the EU, EU Regulation 261/2004 may still apply to some flights. Passengers arriving at Seattle–Tacoma International Airport from EU countries or departing from Seattle–Tacoma International Airport to anywhere on flights operated by airlines from the EU are protected by EU 261/2004.
Therefore, despite their geographic location outside the EU, certain flights from Seattle–Tacoma International Airport may be subject to European laws if they are operated by airlines from the European Union.
| Itinerary | EU Airline | Non-EU Airline |
| Departures from Seattle–Tacoma International Airport to anywhere | Yes | No |
| Arrivals at Seattle–Tacoma International Airport from inside the EU | Yes | No |
| Arrivals at Seattle–Tacoma International Airport from outside the EU | No | No |
How to Claim Compensation from Seattle–Tacoma International Airport
Flight disruptions often occur due to factors such as extreme weather conditions, air traffic congestion, mechanical problems, or crew shortages. If you experience a flight disruption at Seattle–Tacoma International Airport, you may be entitled to compensation under EU 261/2004.
To initiate a compensation claim, proceed with these steps:
- Fill in this form. You’ll need to provide details such as your flight number, date, and what went wrong.
- Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will manage the process. We understand the EU laws well and will strive to obtain your rightful compensation. You only pay us if we win your case.
It is important to note that the compensation claim process requires documents such as booking confirmation and boarding pass.
Recent Flight Delays and Cancellations
Was your flight delayed or cancelled? Find your flight in the table below and use our claims checker to see if you are eligible for compensation.
Did not find your flight in our table? Fill in our compensation form, and we will check it for you.
| Date | Flight number | Route | Status | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
07.01.202612:30 | Alaska Airlines 521 | () () | cancelled | Claim Refund |
07.01.202611:22 | Alaska Airlines 93 | () () | cancelled | Claim Refund |
07.01.202608:40 | FedEx 743 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202608:39 | Hawaiian Airlines 6942 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202608:39 | Alaska Horizon 2199 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202608:38 | Alaska Airlines 429 | () () | cancelled | Claim Refund |
07.01.202608:38 | Air Tahiti Nui 2582 | () () | cancelled | Claim Refund |
07.01.202608:38 | Hawaiian Airlines 6759 | () () | cancelled | Claim Refund |
07.01.202608:35 | Delta Air Lines 3736 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202608:35 | Aeromexico 4169 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202608:30 | Alaska Horizon 2070 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202608:30 | Hawaiian Airlines 6537 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202608:30 | Air Tahiti Nui 2546 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202608:25 | American Airlines 7537 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202608:25 | Jet Linx Aviation 5428 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202608:25 | Qatar Airways 3367 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202608:25 | Air Tahiti Nui 2628 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202608:25 | Hawaiian Airlines 6893 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202608:25 | Alaska Airlines 725 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202607:55 | FedEx 8657 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202607:45 | FedEx 8699 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202607:40 | Air France 3534 | () () | cancelled | Claim Refund |
07.01.202607:40 | Virgin Atlantic 3325 | () () | cancelled | Claim Refund |
07.01.202607:40 | Delta Air Lines 459 | () () | cancelled | Claim Refund |
07.01.202607:39 | FedEx 630 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202607:00 | Alaska Airlines 36 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202607:00 | Qatar Airways 2173 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202607:00 | Hawaiian Airlines 6746 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202607:00 | Air Tahiti Nui 2576 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202623:30 | Thai Airways International 6250 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202623:15 | Air Tahiti Nui 2796 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202623:15 | Qatar Airways 8851 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202623:15 | Hawaiian Airlines 6822 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202623:10 | Alaska Airlines (Oneworld Livery) 163 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202623:10 | Air Tahiti Nui 2787 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202623:10 | Hawaiian Airlines 6950 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202623:10 | Alaska Horizon 2172 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202623:10 | Qatar Airways 2191 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202623:10 | American Airlines 7544 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202623:10 | Hawaiian Airlines 6591 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202623:10 | Qatar Airways 8809 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202622:59 | Hawaiian Airlines 6590 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202622:59 | Air Tahiti Nui 2778 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202622:59 | Alaska Airlines 144 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202621:45 | Qatar Airways 3330 | () () | cancelled | Claim Refund |
06.01.202621:45 | Icelandair 7663 | () () | cancelled | Claim Refund |
06.01.202621:45 | British Airways 7587 | () () | cancelled | Claim Refund |
06.01.202621:45 | Hawaiian Airlines 6820 | () () | cancelled | Claim Refund |
06.01.202621:45 | Alaska Airlines 706 | () () | cancelled | Claim Refund |
06.01.202620:59 | Alaska Airlines 136 | () () | cancelled | Claim Refund |
06.01.202620:59 | Air Tahiti Nui 2455 | () () | cancelled | Claim Refund |
06.01.202620:59 | Hawaiian Airlines 6589 | () () | cancelled | Claim Refund |
06.01.202620:59 | Qatar Airways 4275 | () () | cancelled | Claim Refund |
06.01.202620:11 | Air Tahiti Nui 2574 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202620:11 | Hawaiian Airlines 6803 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202620:11 | Qatar Airways 3312 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202620:11 | Alaska Airlines 1338 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202619:50 | Korean Air 6027 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202619:50 | Qatar Airways 3371 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202619:50 | British Airways 7517 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202619:50 | Alaska Horizon 2299 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202619:50 | Qatar Airways 2192 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202619:50 | Hawaiian Airlines 6592 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202619:50 | Hawaiian Airlines 6682 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202619:50 | Air Tahiti Nui 2567 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202619:50 | Air Tahiti Nui 2533 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202619:03 | Qatar Airways 3401 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202619:03 | British Airways 7577 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202619:03 | Hawaiian Airlines 6782 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202618:50 | American Airlines 6907 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202618:50 | Aer Lingus 8748 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202618:50 | Iberia 3506 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202618:50 | AlphaSky 5270 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202618:50 | Finnair 5448 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202618:45 | Alaska Airlines 631 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202618:45 | Hawaiian Airlines 6476 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202618:45 | Icelandair 7685 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202618:45 | American Airlines 7616 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202618:45 | Qatar Airways 4274 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202618:25 | Delta Air Lines 5974 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202618:25 | Air France 9905 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202618:25 | KLM 4815 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202617:06 | Alaska Horizon 2290 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202617:06 | Hawaiian Airlines 6789 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202617:06 | Qatar Airways 2103 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202616:40 | Qatar Airways 3442 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202616:40 | Hawaiian Airlines 6877 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202616:40 | Air Tahiti Nui 2651 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202616:40 | Alaska Airlines 697 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202616:05 | Oman Air 6220 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202616:05 | SriLankan Airlines 3071 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202616:05 | AlphaSky 5936 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202616:05 | RwandAir 1062 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202616:05 | American Airlines 8129 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202616:05 | Malaysia Airlines 9326 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202615:59 | Hawaiian Airlines 4880 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202615:59 | Air Tahiti Nui 2303 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202615:59 | Alaska Airlines 225 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202615:59 | Qatar Airways 3342 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202615:40 | United Airlines 8246 | () () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
