Is there anything worse than sitting on the airport floor, eating a dry €12 sandwich, because your flight is “delayed for technical reasons”? Probably not. Airlines love to use fancy words to make you feel like its your fault for being there. But here is the truth – most of the time, they owe you money. Big time.
I’ve spent way too many hours in terminals lately, so I decided to write down exactly how to handle these situations without losing your mind.
The 3-Hour Rule: Your magic number
In the EU and UK (and some other places too), if your flight is more than 3 hours late, you’re basically in “get paid” territory. Depending on how far you’re flying, we are talking about €250 up to €600.
The sneaky part: Airlines will tell you it was “extraordinary circumstances” (like weather). Sometimes they lie. If you see other planes taking off, it’s not the weather. It’s them.
My experience: I remember last time I was stuck in a terminal for 5 hours. The airline staff kept disappearing every time someone asked a question. After three hours of waiting, all they gave me was a tiny bottle of Coke and a pack of crackers. Seriously? A €400 flight and I get a snack that costs 50 cents? That was the moment I realized—if you don’t know the rules, they will treat you like a nuisance, not a customer.
What to do the moment it happens
Don’t just sit there. Start collecting “evidence”.
- Take a photo of the departure board. You need proof of the time.
- Ask for a reason. Get a staff member to tell you why its delayed. If they say “crew issues” or “technical fault” – that is money in your pocket.
- Keep your receipts. If you have to buy water or a meal because you’re stuck, the airline HAS to pay for it. Yes, even that overpriced airport pizza.
The “Duty of Care” (Aka free stuff)
Most people don’t know this, but if you’re delayed for more than 2 hours, the airline must give you:
- Food and drink vouchers (enough for a decent meal, not just a biscuit).
- Two phone calls or emails (well, we have Wi-Fi now, but still).
- A hotel room if the delay is overnight.
My experience: They won’t always offer this. You have to go to the desk and ask. Be polite, but be annoying.
How to actually get your €600
You can go to those “compensation websites” that take 30% of your money. Or, you can do it yourself.
Write a simple email to the airline. Mention Regulation (EC) No 261/2004. It’s like a magic spell. When they see those numbers, they know you’re not just another confused tourist.
Wait time: Expect them to ignore you for a few weeks. That is part of their strategy. Just send the email again.
Wrapping it up
Flying in 2026 is basically a gamble. Sometimes you win, sometimes you’re stuck in Frankfurt for 8 hours. But at least if you know your rights, you can turn a bad day into a free holiday for next year.
Have you ever actually won a claim against an airline? Honestly, I’m curious how long it took you. Tell me in the comments!
