If the airline cancelled your flight and told you less than 14 days before departure, EU261/UK261 gives you the same fixed compensation as a long delay (up to €600 / £520) — plus a separate right to a refund or re-routing. Compensation can be reduced or removed only if you were re-routed on a near-identical schedule, or for extraordinary circumstances.
[Your full name]
[Your address] · [Email] · [Phone]
[Date]
[Airline name] — Customer Relations / Claims
[Airline claims address or online claim portal]
Re: Cancellation compensation claim under Regulation (EC) No 261/2004
Flight [flight number] — [origin] to [destination] — [original date]
Booking reference (PNR): [ABC123]
Dear Sir or Madam,
I held a confirmed booking on flight [flight number] from [origin] to
[destination] on [date] (PNR [____]). You cancelled this flight and
notified me on [date you were told], which was [____] days before the
scheduled departure — less than 14 days.
[If applicable: The alternative flight you offered departed/arrived more
than [1–2 hours before / 2–4 hours after] the original times, so the
re-routing exception to compensation does not apply.]
Under Articles 5 and 7 of Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, I am therefore
entitled to fixed compensation of EUR [amount] for this flight (distance
band [____]). I am not aware of any extraordinary circumstances, and the
burden of proving any rests with the airline.
[If you were not refunded/re-routed: In addition, under Article 8 I
require [a full refund of EUR [____] to my original payment method /
re-routing to [destination] at the earliest opportunity].]
Please confirm payment of EUR [amount] within 14 days.
Yours faithfully,
[Signature / printed name]
Notes
- Two separate things. Compensation (Article 7) is for the disruption; a refund or re-routing (Article 8) is your separate right to either get your money back or be flown to your destination. Accepting a refund does not waive your compensation.
- The re-routing exception: the airline can reduce/avoid compensation only if it gave 7–14 days’ notice with re-routing departing ≤2h early and arriving <4h late, or <7 days’ notice with re-routing departing ≤1h early and arriving <2h late. Otherwise the full amount is due.
- For UK flights use UK261 and GBP amounts from the amounts table.
Don’t let a voucher cost you cash. Airlines often push a voucher or “rebooking” as if that’s the end of it. Under EU261/UK261 you can insist on a cash refund (Article 8) and you keep your compensation (Article 7) on top. A US flight follows different rules — see US passenger rights.
Refused on “extraordinary circumstances”? See that guide, then escalate.