Find the rule that controls your disrupted route
A delayed or cancelled flight can fall under EU261, UK261, ECAA rules, US DOT refund rules, or no fixed-compensation system at all. The fastest way to avoid a wrong claim is to start with the country or region that controls the route, then check the airline, airport and disruption reason.
Germany
EU261 routes from Germany, Frankfurt and Munich connections, Lufthansa claims, and German airport disruption.
Schiphol and Dutch routesNetherlands
Schiphol missed connections, Dutch airport queues, EU261 coverage, and Netherlands escalation evidence.
Paris and French routesFrance
EU261 routes from France, Paris CDG and Orly disruption, strike context, French airport evidence, and airline claim paths.
Spanish airport guideSpain
EU261 routes from Spain, Madrid and Barcelona connections, island route disruption, AESA escalation, and airline evidence.
UK261 guideUnited Kingdom
UK261 compensation rules after Brexit, UK departures, UK arrivals on UK or EU airlines, and care rights.
US passenger rightsUnited States
DOT refund rights, cancellations, automatic refunds, tarmac delays, and when compensation is not the same as EU261.
EU261 foundationEuropean Union
The main EU261 rule set for delays, cancellations, denied boarding, missed connections, and care rights.
Balkan route coverageECAA / Balkans
Balkan and ECAA-linked routes, including Albania, Serbia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Use the route first, then the airline
The same airline can have different passenger-rights coverage depending on the route. A Ryanair flight from Germany is not analyzed the same way as a non-EU airline arriving in Germany from outside Europe.
Departing EU, UK or ECAA countries
Start with the country guide because departure country usually creates the strongest coverage signal.
Arriving from outside Europe
Check the operating airline next. EU or UK airlines can create stronger coverage than non-EU inbound carriers.
Connections and missed flights
Keep the full booking and final-arrival evidence. One-ticket connections often need a route and airline analysis together.
Airport-wide disruption
Weather, security, ATC and border queues can weaken claims, while airline-controlled causes still deserve review.
What to check before you contact the airline
Save the full booking reference, boarding passes, airline messages, airport receipts, screenshots of the delay or cancellation notice, and the actual arrival time at your final destination. Country rules decide whether the claim is possible; evidence decides whether the airline can reject it easily.
Route proof
Keep the departure airport, arrival airport, connection airport, operating airline and whether all flights were on one booking.
Disruption proof
Record the delay length, cancellation notice date, boarding denial reason, missed connection timing, and any written airline explanation.