AirHelp — Full Guide 2026
Travel Help · Our commission: 15–16.6% of the compensation won.
AirHelp helps air passengers claim money when their flight goes wrong. Under European law (EU Regulation 261/2004), if your flight is delayed by three hours or more, cancelled, or you are denied boarding because the flight is overbooked, the airline may owe you compensation of up to €600 — even if the airline gave you a new flight or a refund. Most travellers never claim this money, because the process looks complicated and airlines often say no at first. AirHelp handles the whole claim for you: you enter your flight details, they check if you are owed money, and they deal with the airline — including going to court if needed. You pay nothing unless they win your claim.
TL;DR — The Short Version
What it is: a service that claims flight compensation for you. Best for: flights delayed 3+ hours, cancelled, or overbooked. How much: up to €600 per passenger under EU law. Cost: nothing unless AirHelp wins — then they take a fee from the compensation.
What is AirHelp?
Flight compensation is a legal right, not a favour from the airline. The European Union's Regulation 261/2004 says airlines must pay passengers when a flight is delayed, cancelled or overbooked, unless the problem was caused by something truly out of their control — such as extreme weather or a security risk.
The amount depends on the flight distance: up to €250 for short flights, up to €400 for medium flights, and up to €600 for long flights. The problem is that claiming is slow and difficult: airlines often reject valid claims, ignore emails, or offer vouchers instead of money. AirHelp exists to fix that.
Their team knows the law, has the flight data to prove what happened, and is not afraid to take an airline to court. They have helped millions of passengers, and they only get paid when you do.
What You Can Book With AirHelp
Here is what you can book with AirHelp:
- Delayed flight claims: if your flight arrived three or more hours late, you may be owed up to €600.
- Cancelled flight claims: if your flight was cancelled and the airline did not give you enough notice, you may be owed compensation as well as a refund or a new flight.
- Overbooking claims: if you were denied boarding because the flight was full, you may be owed compensation.
- Missed connection claims: if a delay made you miss your connecting flight and you arrived three or more hours late, you may be owed compensation.
How to Book With AirHelp — Step by Step
- Open AirHelp through our link and enter your flight details — the flight number and the date you flew.
- AirHelp checks your flight for free and tells you if you are owed compensation and how much.
- Give AirHelp the details: your booking reference, your name, and a few details about what happened.
- AirHelp deals with the airline for you — including letters, follow-ups, and legal action if the airline refuses.
- Get paid: if the claim succeeds, the compensation is sent to you, minus AirHelp's fee. If it fails, you pay nothing.
Who Is AirHelp Best For?
AirHelp is best for anyone whose flight was delayed, cancelled or overbooked on a flight to, from, or within the European Union — or on an EU airline anywhere in the world.
It suits travellers who do not have time to fight with an airline, people whose claim was already rejected, and anyone who is not sure whether they are owed money. The free eligibility check is useful even if you are unsure: it takes two minutes and tells you whether a claim is worth making.
If your flight was delayed by bad weather or an event outside the airline's control, you are probably not owed compensation — but the check is still free, so it costs nothing to find out.
EU261 Explained — The Law That Pays You for a Bad Flight
EU Regulation 261/2004 is one of the strongest passenger rights laws in the world, and it applies to more flights than most travellers realise. It covers any flight departing from the EU, any flight to the EU on an EU airline, and flights inside the EU.
The compensation is fixed by distance: €250 for flights up to 1,500 km, €400 for flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km, and €600 for flights over 3,500 km. The airline must pay this in money — not vouchers — unless you agree to vouchers.
The airline does not have to pay if the disruption was caused by extraordinary circumstances, such as a volcano, a strike by airport staff, or extreme weather — but a technical fault or a crew problem is the airline's responsibility, not yours.
You can claim for flights up to several years old, depending on the country, so it is worth checking old flights too — you might be owed money for a bad flight from two years ago.
How We Earn With AirHelp
When you book through our link, AirHelp pays us a commission of 15–16.6% of the compensation won.. The price you pay does not go up — the commission comes from AirHelp, not from you. This is how we keep our travel guides free. We only list partners we believe are useful for real travellers.
Tips for Using AirHelp
- Keep your boarding pass and booking reference — you need them to make a claim.
- Ask the airline for the reason for the delay in writing at the airport — it helps your claim later.
- Check old flights too: you can often claim for flights from the last two to three years.
- Do not accept vouchers if you want cash: the airline must pay compensation in money unless you agree to vouchers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is AirHelp?
AirHelp is a service that claims flight compensation for passengers. You enter your flight details, they check if you are owed money, and they deal with the airline for you.
How much compensation can I get?
Up to €600 per passenger under EU law, depending on the flight distance: up to €250 for short flights, €400 for medium flights, and €600 for long flights.
What does AirHelp cost?
Nothing unless you win. AirHelp only takes a fee from the compensation if your claim succeeds — if it fails, you pay nothing.
Which flights are covered?
Flights departing from the EU, flights to the EU on an EU airline, and flights inside the EU. The flight must have been delayed by three hours or more, cancelled, or overbooked.
Can I claim for an old flight?
Yes, often you can claim for flights from the last two to three years, depending on the country. Check your old flights on AirHelp for free.
What if the airline already said no to my claim?
AirHelp can still help. Airlines often reject valid claims at first — AirHelp knows the law and can take the case further, including to court.
How long does a claim take?
It depends on the airline. Some claims are paid in a few weeks; others take several months, especially if legal action is needed.
Do I need to go to court?
No. AirHelp handles the whole process, including any legal steps, for you.
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