easyJet operates thousands of flights a day across the UK and EU — and disruptions are common. If your flight was delayed 3+ hours or cancelled, the law entitles you to fixed compensation regardless of the ticket price you paid.
Yes. easyJet is headquartered in the UK but operates a large EU-based fleet (easyJet Europe, registered in Austria). Two regimes protect you, and together they cover almost every easyJet route:
EU 261/2004 — applies to any easyJet flight departing from an EU airport, and to flights into the EU on the EU-registered fleet.
UK 261 — the retained version of the same law, applies to flights departing the UK. The compensation bands are the same.
In short: if your easyJet flight departed from the UK or the EU, you are almost certainly covered.
How much can you claim from easyJet?
Flight distance
Delay / cancellation
Compensation
Up to 1,500 km
3+ hours late
€250 / £220
1,500 – 3,500 km
3+ hours late
€400 / £350
Over 3,500 km
4+ hours late
€600 / £520
Most easyJet routes are short or medium-haul, so the typical payout is €250 or €400 per passenger — and every passenger on the booking can claim, including children with a paid seat.
easyJet's common refusal reasons — and how to respond
"Extraordinary circumstances" — weather or ATCeasyJet often cites weather or air traffic control restrictions. These are valid defences only if they genuinely caused your delay.Counter: check whether other flights on the same route operated normally that day. If they did, weather likely was not the real cause — challenge it.
Crew shortage or "operational reasons"Staff shortages and knock-on delays from earlier flights are within the airline's control and do not exempt easyJet from paying.Counter: cite that operational and staffing issues are not extraordinary circumstances under settled EU case law.
Refunding the fare and calling it settledA refund of your ticket is separate from EU 261 compensation. Accepting a refund does not cancel your right to the fixed compensation amount.Counter: state clearly that you are claiming statutory compensation in addition to any refund or re-routing.
How to file an easyJet compensation claim
Gather your booking reference, flight number and the date of travel.
Submit a formal written complaint citing EU 261/2004 (or UK 261) and the exact amount you are owed.
Set a 14-day deadline for a written response.
If easyJet refuses or ignores you, escalate to the relevant National Enforcement Body.
Tip: easyJet's online claim form is the fastest first step, but always keep a copy of your complaint and the date you sent it — you will need it if you escalate.
Where to escalate if easyJet doesn't pay
Country of departure
National Enforcement Body
United Kingdom
Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)
Austria (easyJet Europe base)
Austro Control / apf
Spain
AESA — Agencia Estatal de Seguridad Aérea
France
Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC)
Italy
ENAC — Ente Nazionale per l'Aviazione Civile
Netherlands
Inspectie Leefomgeving en Transport (ILT)
Time limit: UK departures generally allow 6 years to claim; most EU departures allow 2–3 years. Claim early — flight records and proof of delay are easiest to obtain soon after the disruption.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. easyJet flights departing from an EU airport are covered by EU 261/2004, and flights departing from the UK are covered by UK 261 — the retained version of the same regulation. The compensation amounts are effectively identical, so you are protected on virtually every easyJet route within Europe and the UK.
For flights from the UK you generally have 6 years to bring a claim. For flights from most EU countries the limit is 2 to 3 years depending on the country of departure. It is always best to claim as soon as possible while documents and flight records are still easy to obtain.
You are entitled to a cash payment under EU 261 and UK 261, not a voucher. A voucher is only binding if you explicitly choose to accept it. If you want cash, reject the voucher in writing and request payment to your bank account within 14 days.
Genuine extraordinary circumstances such as severe weather or air traffic control strikes can exempt the airline from paying compensation. However, easyJet sometimes cites weather when the real cause was operational. You can request the specific reason and challenge it if the rest of the airline's schedule operated normally that day.
Ready to claim from easyJet?
Our assistant prepares a formal complaint letter citing the exact regulation and amount. You review it and send it yourself.