Flight cancelled less than 14 days before departure:how much compensation can you claim?
If the airline informs you less than 14 days before scheduled departure, you may receive €250, €400 or €600 per passenger, in addition to a refund or rerouting.
Less than 14 days’ notice does not guarantee payment: the cancellation cause and the proposed replacement schedule must also be checked.
Can you claim if your flight is cancelled less than 14 days before?
Yes, in principle. Fixed compensation may be due when cancellation is announced less than 14 days before departure. It may be excluded if the airline offers rerouting within precise time limits or proves extraordinary circumstances.
Four points to check
- When you personally received notice.
- The proposed replacement flight times.
- The distance of the covered journey.
- The exact cause of cancellation.
A ticket refund and fixed compensation are separate rights. Choosing a refund does not automatically remove your compensation claim.
How do the 14-day and 7-day thresholds work?
The notice date determines which replacement schedule can release the airline from compensation.
No fixed compensation
If you are informed at least 14 days in advance, €250–€600 compensation is normally not due.
−2 h / +4 h rule
No compensation if rerouting leaves no more than two hours earlier and arrives less than four hours later.
−1 h / +2 h rule
No compensation if rerouting leaves no more than one hour earlier and arrives less than two hours later.
The airline must prove whether and when you were personally informed. Keep the dated email, text message or app notification.
What other conditions apply?
Covered flight
The journey must fall under EU passenger-rights rules.
Less than 14 days’ notice
The passenger’s actual notification is the reference point.
Rerouting outside the limits
The replacement times exceed the limits for your notice period.
No extraordinary cause
The airline cannot prove an unavoidable external event despite reasonable measures.
Read more about your air passenger rights.
How much can you claim after a late cancellation?
The amount depends on flight distance, not ticket price.
Per passenger when all conditions are met.
Per eligible passenger.
A 50% reduction may apply according to rerouted arrival time.
With rerouting and a limited arrival delay, compensation may be reduced to €125, €200 or €300 depending on distance.
Refund or rerouting: what can you choose?
After cancellation, the airline must offer a choice that remains separate from possible compensation.
Refund
Recover the ticket price if you abandon the journey.
Prompt rerouting
Reach your final destination at the earliest opportunity under comparable conditions.
Later travel
Choose a convenient later date, subject to seat availability.
Separate compensation
Claim €250–€600 when the conditions are met.
See the complete cancelled flight guide.
What must the airline provide while you wait?
Food and drinks
Reasonable refreshments according to waiting time.
Communications
Two calls, emails or other messages.
Hotel
Accommodation when rerouting requires an additional night.
Transfers
Necessary transport between the airport and hotel.
If care is not provided, keep receipts for necessary and reasonable expenses.
What documents should you keep?
If you booked through an agent, check when the notice actually reached you. The airline must prove that you were personally informed.
Common late-cancellation scenarios
Cancelled 10 days before
The replacement leaves three hours earlier: the time limits are exceeded and compensation may be due.
Cancelled 10 days before
The replacement leaves one hour earlier and arrives two hours later: compensation may be excluded.
Cancelled 3 days before
The new flight arrives three hours later: the two-hour limit is exceeded.
No replacement offered
You may select a refund and check compensation separately.
Exceptional weather
Compensation may be refused if the airline proves the event and reasonable measures.
Connecting journey
On one booking, review the whole journey and rerouting to the final destination.
How do you claim compensation?
Record the notice
Keep the exact date and time you learned of the cancellation.
Compare schedules
Check replacement departure and arrival against the original flight.
Identify the cause
Ask for the precise reason and supporting evidence.
Submit the claim
Claim from the airline that was due to operate the flight.
Find your airline or airport
Questions about cancellation less than 14 days before departure
Does cancellation less than 14 days before always mean €600?+
No. The amount depends on distance, while eligibility also depends on the rerouting offered and the cause of cancellation.
How are the 14 days before departure counted?+
Compare the date and time when you were personally informed with the scheduled departure date and time.
Can I receive both a refund and compensation?+
Yes. A ticket refund and fixed compensation are separate rights and can apply together.
What happens if a replacement flight is offered?+
Its departure and arrival times must be compared with the limits applying when notice was given between 7 and 14 days or less than 7 days before.
Who must prove the notification date?+
The airline must prove whether and when you were personally informed of the cancellation.
Do extraordinary circumstances remove all my rights?+
No. They may remove fixed compensation, but the choice between refund and rerouting and the right to care still apply.
See more answers in our FAQ.
Was your flight cancelled less than 14 days before?
Check whether you can claim up to €600 per passenger.
No upfront fee. A 30% fee including VAT applies only if your claim succeeds.