A five-hour delay to New York
The case most people picture. The amount comes from the regulation, not an opinion — and the cash is only part of what she is owed.
Sample flight
Paris (CDG) → New York (JFK)
Air France AF1234 · arrived 5 hours late
- Spotted the disruption
- Worked out your rights
- Checked the regulation, line by line
Your claim letter
We draft it. You send it.Add your booking reference and name where the brackets are — we can't file the claim for you.
Subject: EU261 compensation claim — flight AF1234 To: Air France — Customer Relations Date: 14 March 2026 Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing to claim the compensation I am owed under EU261 for the disruption to flight AF1234. Flight: AF1234 Booking reference: [your booking reference] Passenger(s): [full name(s) of everyone on the booking] Under EU261 I am entitled to €600, on the following basis: - Article 7(1): Under EU261 Article 7(1), a passenger on a non-intra-Community flight of more than 3,500 km who arrives at the final destination three hours or more after the scheduled arrival time is entitled to €600 compensation. The airline is required by law to inform passengers of their rights to compensation and assistance. Please confirm payment within 14 days. If I do not receive a satisfactory response, I will refer this claim to the National Enforcement Body of the country of departure, and pursue the matter through the competent alternative dispute resolution body or the courts. I am bringing this claim within the applicable time limit, which varies by the country of departure (commonly between two and six years). Please make payment to: [your payment details] Yours faithfully, [your full name]