Flight delay: what changes at each time threshold

Assistance: the threshold depends on flight distance

For flights up to 1,500 km assistance begins after 2 hours of delay; for intra-EU routes exceeding 1,500 km and for all other routes between 1,500 and 3,500 km a 3-hour threshold applies; for longer flights, generally outside the EU, the threshold rises to 4 hours. Once the corresponding threshold is reached, the airline must offer meals and refreshments proportional to the wait and two free communications (phone call, email or fax).

Financial compensation starting from 3 hours delay at arrival

Regardless of distance, a delay of at least 3 hours at arrival at the final destination entitles you to the same compensation as for cancellations: 250 euros under 1,500 km, 400 euros for longer intra-EU routes and for those between 1,500 and 3,500 km, 600 euros for longer routes outside the EU. This threshold is not written in the original regulation text but stems from case law of the EU Court of Justice, which equated it with cancellation.

It is worth knowing that a reform of the regulation, approved by the European Parliament on 7 July 2026 and by the Council on 13 July, confirmed this 3-hour threshold while rejecting airline requests to raise it to 4 or 5 hours: compensation amounts remain unchanged. The new rules, however, will only enter into force in the second half of 2027, so the rules described here currently remain valid. To calculate the exact amount based on your route, it may be useful to consult the guide to compensation for flight delay.

Beyond 5 hours: the right to abandon the trip

From 5 hours of delay onwards, regardless of distance, the passenger can choose to abandon the trip and obtain a full refund of the ticket, an alternative distinct from financial compensation and often overlooked by those passively waiting at the airport.

Thresholds are measured at arrival and are cumulative

All these thresholds are calculated on the actual arrival time at the final destination, not on departure: a flight that departed on time but landed 3 hours late due to air traffic still remains covered. Rights are moreover cumulative: once a threshold is exceeded, those provided for by previous thresholds remain valid.

To enforce the compensation, always note the actual arrival time via the flight tracking app or airline confirmation, so you can document precisely the threshold exceeded.