Flight delayed by 4 hours:what compensation can you claim?
An arrival four hours late exceeds the usual three-hour threshold. Compensation of €250, €400 or €600 may be due when the journey is covered and the airline cannot prove extraordinary circumstances.
This guide provides general information. Eligibility always depends on the precise facts.
Four hours at arrival: the compensation threshold is exceeded
Measure the relevant delay at the final destination when at least one aircraft door opens.
Care and compensation have separate conditions: meals or a hotel may remain due even where an extraordinary event defeats fixed compensation.
Compensation may reach €600
Where the applicable rules are satisfied, the amount mainly depends on the journey distance.
The amounts are not automatic. The route, final-arrival delay, cause and any rerouting offer must be checked.
Conditions to check after a four-hour delay
The number alone is not enough: route, cause and operating carrier still matter.
Final arrival
Confirm a genuine four-hour delay at the last airport on the booking.
Covered journey
Check departure, arrival and the carrier that actually operated the flight.
Controllable cause
An ordinary technical or operational issue is not automatically extraordinary.
Time limit
Secure evidence promptly so the applicable claim period is respected.
Care, expenses and fixed compensation
These rights can coexist when their individual conditions are satisfied.
Meals and drinks
After four hours, care thresholds are normally reached for every distance category.
Hotel and transfer
They may be required when departure is postponed overnight.
Reasonable expenses
Keep receipts where necessary care was not provided.
Refund from five hours
At four hours of departure delay, the right to abandon for a refund is not yet automatic.
Four hours at departure is not the same as four hours at arrival
Fixed compensation mainly uses the final-arrival delay. The option to abandon the trip for a refund normally starts at five hours of departure delay.
Why does the cause still matter?
The airline should identify the event relied on and reasonable measures taken.
Ordinary technical fault
It does not automatically remove compensation.
Unsafe weather
It may be extraordinary where the real operational impact is established.
Internal operations
Crew, rotation or planning issues require a precise assessment.
Documents to keep
Booking confirmation
Keep the complete itinerary and reservation reference.
Boarding pass
Retain the document or check-in evidence.
Actual times
Record departure and the door-opening time at destination.
Reason provided
Save texts, emails and airport-screen photographs.
Airline correspondence
Keep the claim, refusal and every response.
Relevant receipts
Retain reasonable expenses caused by the disruption.
Your request in four steps
Identify the flight
Add the number, date and complete journey.
Describe the facts
State the timings and reason communicated.
Attach evidence
Provide messages, travel documents and receipts.
Check the conditions
Review every requirement before taking action.
Related pages to consult
4-hour flight delay FAQ
Does a four-hour delay always mean €600?
No. The amount depends on distance and every eligibility condition must be met.
Which arrival time counts?
Generally, the time when at least one aircraft door opens and passengers can leave.
Can I obtain a ticket refund after four hours?
The option to abandon for a refund normally starts after five hours of departure delay.
Does weather remove care rights?
No. Extraordinary circumstances may defeat compensation without removing care.
Can I claim meal costs?
Yes where care was due, not supplied and expenses were necessary, reasonable and documented.
Can a missed connection qualify?
Potentially, when flights are on one booking and the final delay reaches the threshold.
Could your flight qualify for compensation?
Enter the journey for an initial review with no upfront fee.