EU261 claims take 4-8 weeks for airline response. Full timeline from submission to payment, plus what to do if the airline stalls.
Quick answer:
Typical timeline:
The timeline depends almost entirely on how cooperative the airline is.
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Week 1: Submit your claim with a formal letter citing EU261 and the exact compensation amount.
Weeks 2-4: Waiting. Airlines rarely respond quickly. Some acknowledge receipt; many don't.
Weeks 4-8: Most airlines respond. Either acceptance (with payment details), rejection (usually citing extraordinary circumstances), or a request for more information.
If accepted: Payment arrives within 2-4 weeks by bank transfer or cheque.
If rejected: Follow-up at 14 days, NEB escalation at 30 days. Adds 2-6 months. Full guide: What to do when your claim is rejected →
Budget carriers with high claim volumes often have longer response times. Claims requiring NEB escalation take longer by nature — the NEB reviews the case, contacts the airline, and potentially compels payment.
Connecting flights and codeshare flights can add complexity if there are questions about which airline is responsible.
Submit a complete claim from the start. Missing information is the most common cause of delays — the airline asks for details, you respond, they take another 4 weeks.
Include your booking confirmation, flight details, the nature of the disruption, the specific compensation amount, and a clear 14-day deadline.
No response in 14 days → send a follow-up. No response to follow-up in another 14 days → escalate to the NEB.
Airlines know the NEB can compel payment. The threat of regulatory action often accelerates the process.
The timeline is the same either way — the airline takes the same time regardless of who sent the letter. The difference is who does the waiting and following up.
FlightComp's Flight Compensation Kit ($14.99) gives you all the letters and templates. Our managed service (25%, no win no fee) handles the entire timeline for you.
Check if you're owed up to €600 → Free, no signup
Can airlines legally take months to respond? There's no hard legal deadline, but the NEB will step in after unreasonably long delays. Most NEBs consider 8 weeks a reasonable window.
What if the airline says they need more time? Give them a defined extension (14 days) and make clear you'll escalate after that.
How long do I have to file? Up to 3 years in most EU countries. Up to 6 years under UK261.
Does using a service speed things up? Not the airline's response time. But a service handles the persistence — follow-ups, escalation, waiting — so you don't have to.
Free eligibility check — no signup required. If you qualify, get your Flight Compensation Kit for $14.99 or let us handle everything for 25% (no win, no fee).
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