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EU flight cancellation · EC261 · passenger rights

EU cancelled flight compensation: refund, rerouting and EC261 rights

Understand the main EC261 rights after a cancelled flight in the EU, including refund or rerouting, care and when fixed compensation may be possible.

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EU cancelled flight compensation: refund, rerouting and EC261 rights

When EC261 applies, a cancelled flight can create rights to reimbursement or rerouting and care while waiting. Fixed compensation may also be due in some cases, especially when the passenger received less than 14 days' notice, but the timing of the replacement flight and extraordinary circumstances can change the result.

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Refund or rerouting comes first

EU passenger-rights guidance explains that when a covered flight is cancelled, passengers can be entitled to choose between reimbursement and rerouting. Care such as meals, refreshments and, when necessary, accommodation can also apply while waiting for rerouting.

Compensation depends on notice, replacement timings and cause

A cancellation does not automatically produce a fixed payment. Under EC261, the notice period and the departure and arrival times of any rerouting matter. Extraordinary circumstances can also remove the fixed-compensation obligation when the legal test is met.

  • Check when you were first informed of the cancellation.
  • Record the schedule of any replacement flight offered.
  • Keep the airline's stated reason for the cancellation.

Do not mix EC261 and UK261 amounts

UK261 and EC261 are closely related but are not interchangeable. The applicable jurisdiction determines the legal currency and the exact framework used for a claim, so AeroDue keeps the route and operating carrier explicit before showing a conclusion.

Official sources used for this guide

This page separates general editorial guidance from AeroDue's flight-specific checker. The sources below support the legal or operational framework described here.

Airline, route, notice period, operating carrier, cause and actual arrival time can change the result. This page does not guarantee compensation or replace the flight-specific eligibility check.

Related AeroDue guidance

Cancelled flight rights

Start with the broader disruption guide if you need the general framework before checking a specific flight.

Passenger rights

See how AeroDue keeps compensation, refunds, care and eligible expenses separate.

Turn the search question into a flight-specific check

Enter the actual itinerary and disruption facts. AeroDue only shows conclusions supported by the rules and facts available for the case.

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