Your Flight Was Disrupted. Here Is Everything You Can Claim.
Airlines hope you do not know your rights. There are multiple laws across 6 frameworks and 130+ countries protecting you — and together they add up to far more than most passengers realise. SkyAid claims all of them. No win, no fee.
Three Laws Protect European and UK Flights — Here Is What Each One Does
Think of what can you claim as three layers that stack on top of each other. Most passengers only claim the bottom one. SkyAid claims all three.
EU261 / UK261 — Cash Compensation Up to €600
European and UK law that forces airlines to pay you a set amount of cash when they disrupt your flight and it was within their control.
- €250 — flights up to 1,500km
- €400 — EU flights over 1,500km / international 1,500–3,500km
- €600 — international flights over 3,500km
- UK261: £220 / £350 / £520 equivalent
When it applies: Flight cancelled with less than 14 days notice, delayed 3+ hours, denied boarding, missed connection due to airline.
When it does NOT apply: Extraordinary circumstances — war, drones, severe weather, ATC strikes. But even when this layer does not apply, the next two still protect you. Learn more.
EU261 / UK261 — Unconditional Rights
Your unconditional rights that apply no matter what caused the disruption — including war, weather, drones. Airlines cannot refuse these.
- Full ticket refund within 7 days — even “non-refundable” tickets
- Free rebooking on the next available flight
- Meals and drinks while waiting
- Hotel accommodation if stranded overnight
- Transport to and from the hotel
- 2 phone calls or emails
The reality: Airlines regularly fail to provide this care. Passengers end up paying for their own hotels, meals and taxis. That money is 100% recoverable.
Montreal Convention Article 19 — Up to €7,700 Per Passenger
An international treaty that holds airlines accountable for the actual money you lost. This is the Montreal Convention claim that most passengers do not know exists.
This is NOT automatic. You must prove actual financial loss with receipts and evidence. But if the disruption cost you money — it is recoverable as a trip expenses claim.
- Hotels and meals you paid for while stranded
- Taxis, trains and alternative transport
- Replacement flights you booked yourself
- Non-refundable hotel bookings at your destination
- Missed tours, events, concerts, theme parks
- Lost wages and business income — a key lost wages flight delay claim
- Missed business meetings and conferences
- Wasted cruise connections, wedding travel
Applies to ALL international flights, regardless of cause. War, weather, drones, strikes — airlines must prove they took “all reasonable measures.”
Time limit: Strict 2-year cutoff globally. Do not wait too long.
Why airlines never tell you: Because a family of 4 could claim up to €30,800 in trip expenses alone — on top of EU261 compensation and refunds.
Most passengers only claim the bottom block. SkyAid claims all three.
Real Example: Flight to a New York Wedding, Delayed 24 Hours
Not Sure What You Are Owed? We Will Check For Free.
2 minutes to submit. SkyAid claims EU261, UK261, Montreal Convention, Turkey SHY, Brazil ANAC, Thailand DCA and Canada APPR — all in one process. No win, no fee.
Start My Free Claim →Flying Beyond Europe? You Are Still Protected.
EU261 covers European flights. But the world has more rules — and SkyAid knows them all. Here are additional frameworks we use depending on where you fly.
Up to €600 for Delays, Cancellations and Denied Boarding
Turkey’s own passenger rights law — updated December 2024 to include delay compensation for the first time.
- Domestic flights: €100 compensation
- International up to 1,500km: €250
- International 1,500–3,500km: €400
- International 3,500km+: €600
- Delay compensation (NEW Dec 2024): 3+ hour delays due to technical/operational reasons now qualify
Applies to: All flights departing Turkey (any airline) + international flights arriving in Turkey on Turkish carriers.
Up to BRL 10,000 for Material and Moral Damages
Brazil’s consumer protection framework is among the strongest in the world.
- 1hr+ delay: Right to communication and assistance
- 2hr+ delay: Right to meals and refreshments
- 4hr+ delay: Right to accommodation, rebooking or full refund + compensation
- Up to BRL 10,000 per passenger for material and moral damages
Time limit: 5 years under Brazil’s Consumer Protection Code (domestic); 2 years under Montreal Convention for international segments.
Care Obligations + Montreal Convention for International Routes
- Domestic: Compensation per DCA notification guidelines
- International: Montreal Convention applies — up to €7,700 per passenger for documented losses
- Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) provides additional enforcement
Time limit: 1 year under Thai law (domestic); 2 years under Montreal Convention (international).
Up to CAD $2,400 for Denied Boarding + CAD $1,000 for Delays
- Delay 3–6 hours (large airline): CAD $400
- Delay 6–9 hours: CAD $700
- Delay 9+ hours: CAD $1,000
- Denied boarding: Up to CAD $2,400
- Lost/damaged baggage: Up to CAD $2,100
Applies to: All flights to, from and within Canada. Montreal Convention stacks on top for international routes.
130+ Countries Covered Through the Montreal Convention
For any international flight — including USA, Australia, Japan, UAE, Singapore, India, South Africa and dozens more — the Montreal Convention applies regardless of local regulations. SkyAid identifies which framework gets you the maximum recovery.
What Can You Claim? At a Glance
Quick-scan: find your disruption type and see exactly what you are owed.
| Disruption Type | EU261 Cash? | Full Refund? | Care? | Montreal (€7,700)? | SkyAid? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airline cancels flight (their fault) | €250–€600 | 100% | Yes | Yes | All of it |
| Airline staff strike | €250–€600 | 100% | Yes | Yes | All of it |
| Technical / mechanical fault | Often yes | 100% | Yes | Yes | All of it |
| ATC strike / weather / war / drones | No | 100% | Yes | Yes | Refund + care + Montreal |
| Denied boarding / overbooking | €250–€600 | 100% | Yes | Yes | All of it |
| Turkey departure (airline fault) | SHY: €100–€600 | Yes | Yes | Intl routes | SHY + Montreal |
| Brazil departure (4hr+ delay) | ANAC: up to BRL 10k | Yes | Yes | Intl routes | ANAC + Montreal |
| Canada departure (airline control) | APPR: CAD $400–$1,000 | Yes | Yes | Intl routes | APPR + Montreal |
For extraordinary circumstances, Montreal Convention liability still exists — airlines must prove they took “all reasonable measures.” International rules have their own extraordinary circumstances definitions.
The Receipt Vault — Your Golden Proofs
Montreal Convention claims live and die by documentation. Here is exactly what to keep for your trip expenses claim.
Stranded Spending Receipts
Every receipt for hotels, meals, taxis, new flights, phone calls. If the airline did not provide care and you paid yourself — this is your money back.
Proof of Booking
Original confirmation for the hotel, tour, event or train you missed — showing it was non-refundable or that you were charged a cancellation fee.
Missed Opportunity Evidence
Email, contract or meeting invite showing you were supposed to be somewhere. For lost wages flight delay claims: an HR letter or evidence of missed contract.
Airline Excuse Note
If airline staff give you a “Flight Delay Confirmation” slip or any written explanation — keep it. It proves the delay and its cause.
Boarding Pass and Booking
Your boarding pass (even a screenshot) and booking confirmation. These prove you were on that flight.
Upload these directly to your SkyAid claim and we do the math. Do not worry if you are missing some — start your claim anyway and we will tell you what else we need.
What About Your Hotel or Holiday Bookings?
If the disruption caused you to lose non-refundable bookings, those losses are claimable under Montreal Convention as a trip expenses claim — up to €7,700 per passenger.
Contact the Hotel Directly
Ask for a “force majeure deferral” — many hotels will move your booking to a future date rather than charge a cancellation fee.
Check Your Travel Insurance
Look for trip disruption cover. If your government issued a “do not travel” advisory, many policies pay out for non-refundable trip costs.
Credit Card Protection
If you paid by UK credit card, explore Section 75 claims for purchases over £100. Visa and Mastercard also offer chargeback processes.
SkyAid Handles the Airline
We claim the full Montreal Convention amount — non-refundable hotels, missed events, lost wages, all of it. Submit your claim and we advise on which routes also apply.
Can I Claim Lost Wages? Yes.
Under Montreal Convention Article 19, if you missed work because you were stranded, that is a quantifiable lost wages flight delay claim the airline owes you.
If You Are an Employee
You need a letter from your HR department confirming absence due to the flight delay, stating the exact amount deducted from your pay or unpaid leave taken. SkyAid can provide a template.
If You Are a Freelancer or Business Owner
You need evidence of the cancelled contract, missed booking or your typical daily rate. Invoices, emails and contracts all count.
If You Missed a Business Meeting
Evidence of the meeting (calendar invite, emails), evidence of the business opportunity, and evidence of the financial impact — a lost contract or delayed deal.
“Airlines think your time is worth a sandwich and a voucher. The Montreal Convention says it is worth up to €7,700. We are inclined to agree with the law.”
What Airlines Tell You vs The Truth
What Airlines Tell You
- “Extraordinary circumstances = you get nothing”
- “Non-refundable ticket means no refund, ever”
- “Weather/war/drones = not our responsibility”
- “You need travel insurance to claim”
- “Take a voucher or get nothing”
- “We do not cover your hotel costs”
- “We are not responsible for your lost holiday”
- “Lost wages? Talk to your insurance”
The Truth
- You still get a full refund, care and up to €7,700 under Montreal Convention
- Only if YOU cancel. If the airline cancels, full refund is guaranteed
- Your refund and Montreal Convention rights are unconditional
- No. These are statutory legal rights. Insurance is separate
- Vouchers are optional. You have a legal right to cash
- EU261 Article 9 obliges them to. If they did not — claim it back
- Montreal Convention Article 19 says otherwise — up to €7,700 per passenger
- Montreal Convention covers lost wages. Airlines owe this, not your insurer
Common Questions About What Can You Claim
Do Not Leave Money on the Table. SkyAid Claims Every Framework.
EU261 + UK261 + Montreal Convention + Turkey SHY + Brazil ANAC + Thailand DCA + Canada APPR. We handle all of them in one process. No win, no fee — browse airlines we cover.
Start My Free Claim → See Our Fees — Starting at 20%