Your right to compensation under EU 261/2004
EU 261/2004 protects passengers when air travel goes sideways. If your flight out of the EU was delayed, cancelled, you missed a connecting flight, or you faced denied boarding, you’re entitled to up to €600. The rules cover any flight departing from an EU country and any flight into the EU on a European carrier.
United Airlines compensation for a delayed flight
If you flew with United Airlines and your flight was delayed by more than three hours, you may be entitled to compensation. The delay is measured at arrival, not at departure. Compensation doesn’t apply when the delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances — natural disasters or strikes outside the airline’s control. While you wait, you’re entitled to refreshments and communication, and if the delay runs overnight, to accommodation.
United Airlines compensation for a cancelled flight
If you flew with United Airlines and your flight was cancelled less than 14 days before departure, you may be entitled to compensation. If United gave you enough notice and offered a reasonable rerouting, the compensation doesn’t apply. If the alternative didn’t work for you, or you weren’t told in time, compensation is on the table.
How much compensation am I entitled to?
| Flight distance | Compensation per passenger |
|---|---|
| Up to 1,500 km (e.g. Paris – London) | €250 |
| 1,500–3,500 km | €400 |
| Over 3,500 km (e.g. Prague – New York) | €600 |
When you’re not entitled to compensation
You’re not entitled when:
- The delay is down to extraordinary circumstances (extreme weather, strikes).
- A technical issue genuinely counts as “unavoidable”.
- You were told about the cancellation more than 14 days before departure.
How to claim compensation from United Airlines
You can try it yourself through the United Airlines website, or check your claim with Refundio. Fill in our form and we handle the rest. No win, no fee — if we don’t recover the compensation, you pay nothing.
What if the airline rejects the claim?
If United Airlines turns you down, don’t give up. Contact us and we’ll take it from there. Fill in the form, we check the claim, and if you’re entitled, we do whatever it takes to get the money. Rejection letter or messy legal fight — we’re here to make sure your rights stick.