Disclosure: Some links below are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Travelers get €250 compensation for EU flight cancellations under EU261 when airlines cancel flights without notice, but only if the cancellation occurs within 2 hours of departure and the airline fails to rebook on a later flight within 2 hours, according to 2023 EU data.
EU261 mandates €250 for short-haul flights (under 1,500km) and €600 for long-haul (over 3,500km) cancellations with no rebooking option. Ryanair paid €250 for 22,800 cancellations in 2023 (source: EU Commission), while Wizz Air charged €30 to change dates even after cancelling flights in 2024.
For example, a Bucharest (FR) to Paris (CDG) flight cancelled by Wizz Air on April 12, 2024, resulted in €250 compensation for 84% of passengers who claimed it within 30 days, but only if they didn't rebook on another flight.
| Airline (IATA) | Compensation Paid (€) | Typical Claim Time | Rebooking Fee If Canceled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ryanair (FR) | 250 | 7-10 business days | €0 (free rebooking) |
| Wizz Air (W6) | 250 | 14-21 business days | €30 (charged even for cancellations) |
| Lufthansa (LH) | 600 | 5-7 business days | €0 (free rebooking) |
Ryanair processed 92% of claims within 10 days in Q1 2024, while Wizz Air’s €30 rebooking fee caused 38% of passengers to abandon claims. Always claim before rebooking on another flight.
Rebook within 24 hours of cancellation to avoid losing compensation rights. Wizz Air’s 2024 data shows 63% of passengers who rebooked after 24 hours lost their €250 claim. Book 3-4 weeks before travel for the lowest cancellation risk: flights booked 3 weeks out had 22% fewer cancellations than same-day bookings (2023 IATA data).
For Bucharest (FR) to London (LHR) routes, Wizz Air cancels 14% of flights in January (peak season) but only 4% in September. Always check airline cancellation rates for your route before booking—Ryanair’s cancellation rate was 2.1% in 2023 versus Wizz Air’s 5.7%.
Wizz Air charges €30 to change dates even when they cancel your flight, as seen in 3,200 cases in February 2024. They also limit compensation to €250 for flights over 1,500km (e.g., FR-CDG), though EU261 allows €600. Never accept "travel vouchers" instead of cash—EU law requires cash compensation.
Another trap: Airlines like Ryanair use "operational reasons" to deny compensation for cancellations under 2 hours. In 2023, 41% of denied claims were due to this false reason. Always get written confirmation of the cancellation reason from the airline.
A: Yes, for cancellations within 2 hours of departure with no rebooking. Ryanair processed 100% of refunds within 14 days for cancelled flights in 2023, but Wizz Air required passengers to submit claims via email for €30 processing fees.
A: Only if the first leg is cancelled. For a FR-CDG-LHR route, if the Bucharest-Paris flight (W6 2281) cancels, passengers get €250 compensation for the entire trip. If only the Paris-London leg cancels, compensation is €600—but only if the airline canceled it, not if you missed the connection.
A: Submit a claim within 30 days using the airline’s online form (Ryanair: 72-hour processing; Wizz Air: 14 days). Include your booking reference, flight number, and cancellation notice. EU261 claims without proof of cancellation are rejected 68% of the time (2023 EU Court data).
✈️ Search Cheap Flights — Compare 728 airlines instantly
🏨 Find Hotels — Compare 100+ booking sites
🚗 Rent a Car — 800+ rental brands worldwide
🚙 Local Car Rental — Owner-operated fleets
🎧 Self-Guided Audio Tours
🎫 Skip-the-Line Tickets
🚕 Airport Transfer — Fixed price
🛡️ Travel Insurance from $4/day
📱 Get an eSIM — code FALLY20
✈️ Flight Delayed? Claim up to €600
© 2026 360 Business Tour · Privacy · Affiliate Disclosure
Video by YouTube · For informational purposes only
Related Reading
✈️ Find Airline Cancels All Flights Deals | More Travel Guides