EU261 for Americans: claim up to €600 for delayed flights to and from Europe
Last reviewed: November 2026
In a nutshell
European and UK passenger rights apply to passengers of any nationality. Every flight leaving the EU or UK is covered, including on American airlines. Flights from the US to Europe are covered only on a European or UK airline. If your flight arrived 3+ hours late or was cancelled at short notice, you may be owed up to €600 per person.
Check your flight free in 60 seconds
See if you're likely owed compensation, how much, and the time limit. If you are, get a ready-to-send claim letter for £9.99 / €11.99 / $14.99 per booking. You keep 100%.
Check my flight free →Which of your flights are covered?
Each direction of a round trip is judged separately, so check your outbound and return flights one by one. What matters is the airline that actually operated the flight, which may differ from the one you booked with (look for 'operated by').
- Europe → US on ANY airline: covered (EU261 or UK261).
- US → Europe on a European airline (for example an Irish, French, German or Dutch airline): covered by EU261.
- US → UK on a UK or EU airline: covered by UK261.
- US → Europe on a US airline: not covered.
- Flights within the US: not covered by these rules. US Department of Transportation refund rules apply instead.
How much?
Most transatlantic flights are over 3,500 km, so the amount is usually €600 per passenger under EU rules or £520 under UK rules. If you arrived between 3 and 4 hours late, it's half. Compensation is paid in euros or pounds; your bank converts it.
Connections
If you started your journey in Europe and a delay made you miss a connection on the same booking, the delay is measured at your final destination, even if that's in the US.
Do I have to live in Europe to claim?
No. You can claim directly from the airline wherever you live. If the airline refuses, you can complain to the enforcement body in the country the flight left from, or bring a claim in the courts there.
Quick answers
Does EU261 apply to US airlines?
Yes, for flights departing from the EU. Flights from the US to Europe are only covered on European airlines.
How far back can I claim?
It depends on the country. In the UK it's 6 years (5 in Scotland); in EU countries it ranges from about 1 to several years.
Find out if you're owed compensation
See if you're likely owed compensation, how much, and the time limit. If you are, get a ready-to-send claim letter for £9.99 / €11.99 / $14.99 per booking. You keep 100%.
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General information about UK and EU air passenger rights, not legal advice. Rules can change; check the details of your own flight.