Flight delayed because of weather:can you claim compensation?
Bad weather can be an extraordinary circumstance, but the word “weather” does not automatically defeat your claim. The airline must prove the link to your delay and the reasonable measures it took.
Even without fixed compensation, meals, a hotel, transfers or a refund after five hours may still be due.
Does a weather-delayed flight qualify for compensation?
Not always. Adverse weather incompatible with operating the flight may be an extraordinary circumstance. Fixed compensation may then not be due. However, the airline must explain the precise event, its impact on your flight and why the delay could not have been avoided.
Three essential checks
- Did the conditions really make the flight unsafe or impossible?
- Did they directly cause your delay?
- Did the airline take all reasonable measures?
A broad phrase such as “adverse weather” is not a complete explanation. Ask for the location, time, event and operational impact.
Which weather conditions may be extraordinary?
The event must be assessed for the flight, airport and time concerned.
Severe event
Violent storm, dangerous wind, heavy snow, extreme fog or a weather-related airport closure.
Safety decision
Air-traffic restriction, unusable runway or conditions below operational minima.
Vague justification
Normal seasonal weather, an earlier disruption, poor aircraft rotation or no flight-specific explanation.
Information to request
What must the airline demonstrate?
A real circumstance
Specific adverse weather existed at the relevant time.
A direct link
Those conditions actually caused your flight delay.
Reasonable measures
The delay could not be avoided with reasonably available solutions.
Weather-related duration
Weather should be distinguished from later operational problems.
Weather affecting an earlier flight may disrupt your aircraft rotation, but the airline must still establish the link and justify its management of the disruption.
What can you claim if the weather defence is not proven?
If you arrive at least three hours late and the other conditions are met, the amount depends on distance.
Per eligible passenger.
Per eligible passenger.
A reduction may apply in certain cases between three and four hours.
What must the airline cover even during bad weather?
Care is separate from fixed compensation and applies when the waiting-time thresholds are reached.
Food and drinks
Reasonable care according to waiting time.
Communications
Two calls, emails or other messages.
Hotel and transfer
When departure is postponed to the next day.
Refund after five hours
If you abandon the journey after a long departure delay.
If care is not provided, keep itemised receipts for necessary and reasonable expenses.
Is the delay measured at departure or arrival?
Potential compensation depends on delay at the final destination. On one booking with connections, check final arrival, especially after a missed connection.
See our guide to three-hour flight delay compensation.
What should you keep after a weather delay?
Other flights departing does not by itself prove yours could operate, but it may support a request for a more precise explanation.
Common weather-disruption scenarios
Airport closed by a storm
Compensation is often excluded if the link and reasonable measures are proven.
Fog below minima
It may be extraordinary for the relevant flight and time.
Weather clears, aircraft absent
Separate the weather period from any later operational delay.
Only “weather” is stated
Ask for detailed conditions and their direct link to your flight.
Unexpected overnight stay
Hotel and transfer may remain due even without compensation.
Delay below three hours
No fixed delay compensation, although care may already apply.
How can you challenge a weather-based refusal?
Identify the flight
Date, number, airports and operating airline.
Calculate final delay
Compare times at the final destination.
Request weather evidence
Event, place, time, restrictions and measures taken.
Claim expenses separately
Attach necessary receipts if care was missing.
Your airline or airport
Questions about flights delayed by weather
Does weather always remove compensation?+
No. The airline must prove adverse conditions, their link to the delay and that it could not be avoided despite all reasonable measures.
Can I claim meals and a hotel during bad weather?+
Yes, when care was due. If it was not provided, keep receipts for necessary and reasonable expenses.
How much can I receive if weather is not proven?+
Depending on distance and the other conditions, compensation may be €250, €400 or €600 per passenger.
Is a storm affecting an earlier flight enough?+
Not by itself. The airline must establish the link to your delay and show reasonable management of the disruption.
What if the airline only says “weather”?+
Ask for the type of event, location, time, applicable restrictions and measures taken.
Is delay calculated at the final destination?+
Yes. For compensation, the relevant delay is the one recorded at the final destination on the booking.
See more answers in our FAQ.
Was your flight delayed because of weather?
Check possible compensation and the expenses you can recover.
No upfront fee. A 30% fee including VAT applies only if your claim succeeds.