Time Limit For Flight Delay Compensation

Time Limit For Flight Delay Compensation

If your flight was delayed, cancelled, or you were denied boarding, you might be entitled to compensation. But how long do you have to make a claim?

Many passengers only learn about their rights after the stress of a ruined trip, and assume it’s too late to do anything. That’s where ClaimBeacon steps in. We're here to show you the timeline you have for taking action — and help you do it fast, with no upfront costs.

🛫 It Depends on the Route and Law That Applies

Different laws apply to different types of flights. Depending on where you flew and which airline operated the flight, your time window to claim could be as short as 1 year — or up to 10 years.

Let’s break it down:

🇪🇺 Time Limits Under EU Regulation EC 261/2004

If your flight:

• Departed from the EU, or

• Arrived in the EU with a European carrier,

Then you're protected by EC261. You may be entitled to up to €600 in compensation if your delay exceeded 3 hours, unless the disruption was caused by extraordinary circumstances (like weather or airspace closure).

⏳ Time limits vary by country. Here’s how long you have to file a claim:

Country	Time Limit	Country	Time Limit
Belgium	1 year	Germany	3 years*
Poland	1 year	Austria	3 years
Italy	1–2 years	France	5 years
Netherlands	2 years	Ireland	6 years
Slovenia	2 years	UK	6 years
Sweden	2 months + 10 years*	Switzerland	10 years

💡 In Germany, the 3-year clock starts from the end of the calendar year. In Sweden, you must notify the airline within 2 months.

Need help figuring out which rule applies?

Use ClaimBeacon’s free eligibility checker and we’ll do it for you.

🌍 Time Limits for Non-EU Flights – The Montreal Convention

If your flight did not involve the EU, your claim likely falls under the Montreal Convention, which applies to 130+ countries.

Under this treaty:

• You have 2 years to claim.

• It covers financial damages, like extra hotel costs, food, or missed bookings due to the delay.

• It does not compensate for inconvenience alone.

For example, if your New York to Tokyo flight was delayed and you spent money out of pocket, you may still be able to file — but only for your losses, not a fixed compensation amount.

🇺🇸 What About Flights Within the U.S.?

Domestic U.S. flights are not covered by EC261 or the Montreal Convention for delays or cancellations.

However:

• You can claim if you were denied boarding due to overbooking.

• Some airlines issue “goodwill” compensation like vouchers — ClaimBeacon helps with that too!

🧭 Use Time Limits to Your Advantage

If your flight spanned countries with different time limits, you can often choose where to submit your claim.

Example:A British Airways flight from Helsinki to Rome was delayed in 2020. The time limit has passed in Finland (3 years) and Italy (2 years), but because BA is a UK airline, you still have 6 years under UK law.

✅ ClaimBeacon Tip: File in the country with the longest valid time limit when possible.

💶 How Much Compensation Can You Get?

Under EU Regulation 261:

• Flights up to 1,500 km → €250

• Flights 1,500–3,500 km → €400

• Flights over 3,500 km → €600

Plus, airlines are required to cover food, drinks, communication, and hotel stays for long delays — at no cost to you.

📝 What You Need to File a Claim

Hold on to these documents:

• Boarding pass

• Booking confirmation

• Any communication from the airline about the delay or cancellation

If you lost them, don’t worry — ClaimBeacon can help recover missing records in many cases.

✅ Don’t Miss Out

It’s never too late to check if you’re eligible for flight compensation. Even if your trip was years ago, there may still be time to act.

Use our free tool to check your eligibility in under 3 minutes. And remember:We only get paid if your claim is successful.

Time Limit For Flight Delay Compensation

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