Flight cancelledless than 7 days before departure
When the airline gives less than seven days’ notice, compensation is often possible. It may avoid payment if rerouting leaves no more than one hour early and arrives less than two hours late, or if extraordinary circumstances are proved.
This guide provides general information. Eligibility always depends on the specific facts of the case.
With less than seven days’ notice, inspect the replacement flight
Keep the exact date and time of the cancellation notice. The airline bears the burden of proving when the passenger was informed.
Compare both replacement departure and arrival with the original schedule. If either protective threshold is missed, compensation may remain due, subject to cause and the other conditions.
Compensation of up to €600
Where the conditions of European passenger-rights rules are met, the amount mainly depends on the flight distance.
These amounts are not automatic. Notice, rerouting, the cause and the facts of the case must be checked.
Four decisive checks
A small timing difference can change the result.
Notice under seven days
Keep the timestamped email or text.
Departure no more than one hour early
An offered departure over 60 minutes early can preserve compensation.
Arrival less than two hours late
An offered arrival two hours or more late can preserve compensation.
Extraordinary cause proved
The airline must establish the event and reasonable measures taken.
Rights that remain after cancellation
Compensation does not replace transport remedies or care.
Reimbursement
Abandon the journey and request the applicable refund.
Rerouting
Travel at the earliest opportunity or later under the applicable conditions.
Care
Meals, hotel and transfers may be due while waiting.
Compensation
€250, €400 or €600 may be added where the conditions are met.
Departure ≤ 1 h early and arrival < 2 h late
For rerouting to exclude compensation on this ground, both limits must be met. Check the exact offered times.
What may exclude or reduce compensation
Short notice alone does not guarantee payment.
Compliant rerouting
An offer meeting both timing thresholds can exclude compensation.
Extraordinary circumstances
Proved dangerous weather or external restrictions may exclude the fixed amount.
Amount reduction
Depending on distance and rerouting arrival, compensation can sometimes be halved.
Documents to keep
Boarding pass
Keep the pass and booking confirmation.
Notification
Keep the email or text with its date and time.
Original itinerary
Save the scheduled times and final destination.
Proposed solution
Keep proof of the refund or rerouting offered.
Reason given
Save messages and photographs of airport screens.
Expenses
Keep reasonable receipts if care was not provided.
Your request in four steps
Enter the flight
Add the number, date and full itinerary.
Describe the disruption
State the notice, timings and reason communicated.
Attach evidence
Provide messages, booking and relevant receipts.
Check your rights
The case is assessed before any action is taken.
Related pages to read
FAQ: flight cancelled less than seven days before
Am I automatically entitled to €600?
No. The amount depends on distance and eligibility also depends on rerouting, cause and itinerary.
Which times should be compared?
Compare the offered replacement departure and arrival with the originally scheduled times.
What does no more than one hour early mean?
The replacement must not depart over 60 minutes before the original time to meet this threshold.
What if arrival is exactly two hours late?
The wording requires arrival less than two hours late, so exactly two hours does not meet that protective threshold.
Who proves when I was informed?
The airline bears the burden of proving when the passenger was informed.
Do extraordinary circumstances remove every right?
They may exclude fixed compensation, while reimbursement or rerouting and care remain separate rights.
Could your flight qualify for compensation?
Enter your journey for an initial assessment, with no upfront fees.