How does flight compensation calculation work?
The compensation amount under EU Regulation 261/2004 is based on one straightforward criterion: the great circle distance (straight-line distance) between the departure and arrival airports. Unlike many legal claims, you don't need to prove actual financial loss the compensation is a fixed lump sum determined solely by distance.
This makes the system remarkably simple and accessible. Whether you paid €20 for a budget flight or €2,000 for business class, the compensation is the same. A €29 Ryanair ticket from London to Dublin that gets cancelled can earn you €250 nearly nine times the ticket price.
The three compensation tiers
| Tier | Distance | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Short-haul | Up to 1,500 km | €250 |
| Medium-haul | 1,500 3,500 km | €400 |
| Long-haul | Over 3,500 km | €600 |
These amounts are non-negotiable: the airline cannot offer less, and they cannot reduce them based on what you paid for the ticket.
The official calculation method: great circle distance
The distance is calculated using the great circle method the shortest path between two points on the Earth's surface, as if you drew a line on a globe. The actual flight path is irrelevant; only the straight-line distance between the two airports matters.
This method was confirmed by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) in the Bossen case (C-559/16), which ruled that "the distance must be calculated on the basis of the great circle method, regardless of the route actually taken by the aircraft."
No need for manual calculations! Use our automatic calculator: just enter your departure and arrival airports, and the result appears in seconds.
Detailed examples for common routes
Short-haul routes (€250) Up to 1,500 km
These are the most frequent routes in Europe domestic flights and short hops between major cities:
| Route | Distance | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| London LHR Paris CDG | 340 km | €250 |
| Amsterdam AMS Brussels BRU | 170 km | €250 |
| Berlin BER Vienna VIE | 520 km | €250 |
| Rome FCO Barcelona BCN | 860 km | €250 |
| Dublin DUB London LHR | 450 km | €250 |
| Edinburgh EDI Amsterdam AMS | 670 km | €250 |
| Paris CDG Milan MXP | 640 km | €250 |
| Copenhagen CPH Stockholm ARN | 520 km | €250 |
| Munich MUC Prague PRG | 250 km | €250 |
| Zurich ZRH London LHR | 780 km | €250 |
| Madrid MAD Lisbon LIS | 500 km | €250 |
| Brussels BRU Cologne CGN | 160 km | €250 |
Medium-haul routes (€400) 1,500 to 3,500 km
These routes cover longer European destinations and some North African and Middle Eastern cities:
| Route | Distance | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| London LHR Athens ATH | 2,390 km | €400 |
| Amsterdam AMS Istanbul IST | 2,210 km | €400 |
| Paris CDG Marrakech RAK | 2,100 km | €400 |
| Berlin BER Lisbon LIS | 2,970 km | €400 |
| Rome FCO Moscow SVO | 2,370 km | €400 |
| Dublin DUB Tenerife TFS | 3,090 km | €400 |
| London LHR Sharm El Sheikh SSH | 3,490 km | €400 |
| Copenhagen CPH Tel Aviv TLV | 3,180 km | €400 |
| Manchester MAN Reykjavik KEF | 1,750 km | €400 |
| Frankfurt FRA Cairo CAI | 2,940 km | €400 |
Long-haul routes (€600) Over 3,500 km
Intercontinental flights qualify for the maximum compensation of €600:
| Route | Distance | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| London LHR New York JFK | 5,570 km | €600 |
| Amsterdam AMS Dubai DXB | 5,150 km | €600 |
| Paris CDG Bangkok BKK | 9,430 km | €600 |
| Frankfurt FRA Singapore SIN | 10,260 km | €600 |
| Rome FCO Tokyo NRT | 9,850 km | €600 |
| London LHR Los Angeles LAX | 8,760 km | €600 |
| Amsterdam AMS Cape Town CPT | 9,610 km | €600 |
| Paris CDG Buenos Aires EZE | 11,050 km | €600 |
| Munich MUC Mumbai BOM | 6,020 km | €600 |
| Dublin DUB Toronto YYZ | 5,110 km | €600 |
Special cases: how to calculate in tricky situations
Connecting flights (single booking)
If you have a single booking with one or more connections, the distance is calculated between the initial departure point and the final destination not the individual legs. This often works in your favour.
Example 1: London Amsterdam New York on a single booking
- Distance: London New York = 5,570 km = €600
- If you calculated individual legs: London Amsterdam (370 km, €250) + Amsterdam New York (5,840 km, €600) but the correct method gives you €600 for the whole journey.
Example 2: Dublin Frankfurt Bangkok on a single booking
- Distance: Dublin Bangkok = 9,570 km = €600
Example 3: Edinburgh Paris Marrakech on a single booking
- Distance: Edinburgh Marrakech = 2,660 km = €400
Key point: if the cancellation or delay affects only the connecting flight and results in arriving at your final destination 3+ hours late, you're entitled to compensation calculated on the total journey distance.
Separate tickets
If you purchased separate tickets for different legs (e.g., London Amsterdam with EasyJet and Amsterdam New York with KLM, on independent bookings), each leg is treated as a separate flight. Compensation for a cancelled leg is based only on that leg's distance.
The 50% reduction rule
For delays (not cancellations), the airline can reduce compensation by 50% if they offer an alternative flight arriving within certain windows:
| Flight distance | 50% reduction if you arrive within |
|---|---|
| Up to 1,500 km | 2 hours of original arrival time |
| 1,500 3,500 km | 3 hours of original arrival time |
| Over 3,500 km | 4 hours of original arrival time |
Example: your LondonBarcelona flight (1,240 km, short-haul) is delayed. The airline puts you on an alternative arriving just 1 hour 45 minutes after the original time. Compensation drops from €250 to €125.
Upgrade and downgrade
If the airline puts you on an alternative flight in a lower class than your original ticket, you're entitled to a partial refund:
| Distance | Refund for downgrade |
|---|---|
| Up to 1,500 km | 30% of the ticket price |
| 1,500 3,500 km | 50% of the ticket price |
| Over 3,500 km | 75% of the ticket price |
This downgrade refund is in addition to the flat-rate compensation. You can receive both.
If you're upgraded to a higher class, the airline cannot charge you anything extra.
Quick checklist: are you eligible?
Use this rapid checklist to determine if you're entitled and for how much:
- Did the flight depart from an EU airport? Or arrive in the EU and was operated by an EU airline?
- Was it cancelled with less than 14 days' notice? Or did it arrive 3+ hours late?
- Was the cause not an extraordinary circumstance (extreme weather, security threat, ATC strike)?
- Do you have the flight number and date?
If yes to all you're entitled! The amount:
- Under 1,500 km €250
- 1,500 3,500 km €400
- Over 3,500 km €600
Common calculation mistakes
Mistake 1: Using the flight path instead of straight-line distance
The distance is measured as the crow flies, not following the actual flight route. The route can be 10-20% longer due to airway restrictions and weather, but that's irrelevant.
Mistake 2: Calculating legs separately for a single booking
With a single booking involving connections, always use: first departure airport final destination airport.
Mistake 3: Thinking ticket price affects compensation
The compensation is always the same whether you paid €20 or €2,000. It's a flat-rate amount based solely on distance.
Mistake 4: Assuming low-cost carriers don't have to pay
Ryanair, EasyJet, Wizz Air, Vueling all must comply with the same rules and pay the same compensation amounts as legacy carriers.
Mistake 5: Ignoring connecting flight delays
If your connecting flight is delayed (or you miss the connection due to a late first leg), and you arrive at your final destination 3+ hours late, you're entitled to compensation based on the total journey distance.
FAQ
Is the compensation amount net or gross?
The compensation is a gross lump sum. There are no taxes or fees to deduct. €250 means €250 deposited in your bank account.
If I travel with my family, does each person get compensation?
Yes. Compensation is per passenger. A family of 4 (2 adults + 2 children with seats) on a cancelled LondonParis flight receives €250 4 = €1,000 total.
Is the distance measured between cities or airports?
Between the specific airports. For cities with multiple airports (e.g., London Heathrow vs Gatwick vs Stansted), the difference is usually negligible, but the official calculation uses airport coordinates.
Can I claim more than the flat-rate compensation?
In theory, yes: the Montreal Convention allows claims for provable damages beyond the Regulation 261/2004 flat-rate compensation. However, proving additional damages requires solid evidence (e.g., missed paid event, work contract with penalties) and is usually more complex. The flat-rate compensation is much simpler to obtain.
What about flights to/from the UK post-Brexit?
The UK has retained Regulation 261/2004 through UK Retained EU Law (now known as UK261). The rules and compensation amounts are identical. Flights departing from UK airports are covered regardless of airline; flights arriving in the UK are covered if operated by a UK airline.
Next steps
Don't leave money on the table. With our free tools, claiming is simple and fast:
- Calculate now enter departure and arrival, get your amount instantly
- Generate a claim letter professional, with all legal references
- Send your claim to the airline and get what you're legally owed