Glossary
Definition: EU261 (EC Regulation 261/2004) is European legislation that entitles air passengers to compensation, care, and assistance when flights departing from or arriving in the EU are delayed, cancelled, or overbooked.
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Term at a glance
| Term | EU261 |
|---|---|
| One-liner | EU261 (EC Regulation 261/2004) is European legislation that entitles air passengers to compensation, care, and assistance when flights departing from or arriving in the EU are… |
| Where it matters | Premium-cabin booking decisions, fare-rules interpretation, airline-product comparison. |
| Related concepts | DOT Refund Rule · Montreal Convention · Consumer Protection · Denied Boarding |
| Last verified | 2026-05-07 |
EU261 is one of the strongest passenger rights regulations in the world. It applies to all flights departing from EU/EEA airports (regardless of airline) and to EU-based airline flights arriving in the EU/EEA. Compensation ranges from €250 to €600 per passenger depending on flight distance.
Compensation is payable for: cancellations with less than 14 days’ notice (unless due to extraordinary circumstances), delays of 3+ hours at arrival, and denied boarding due to overbooking. In addition to compensation, airlines must provide care (meals, drinks, accommodation) during long delays.
For business class passengers, EU261 compensation is valuable but the real benefit is the duty of care — airlines must provide hotel accommodation and rebooking on the next available flight. On high-value business class itineraries, knowing your rights under EU261 ensures you receive appropriate treatment during disruptions. BookMyBusinessClass assists clients with EU261 claims when flights are disrupted.
In booking practice
At a Glance
| Term | Quick definition | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| ESTA | Electronic System for Travel Authorization — a US Customs and Border Protection pre-departure authorization… | Read |
| Excursion Perk | A United MileagePlus benefit allowing elite members to add a free Star Alliance partner stopover to a one-way… | Read |
| Endorsement | An endorsement is a notation in the "Endorsement/Restrictions" box of an airline ticket (or its electronic… | Read |
| Fare Basis Code | A fare basis code is an alphanumeric code on your airline ticket that identifies the exact fare rules… | Read |
| Elite Status | Elite status is a tier level within an airline frequent flyer programme earned by meeting minimum flying or… | Read |
| Fare Bucket | A fare bucket is the limited inventory of seats available at a specific fare class and price level on a given… | Read |
Related Terms
Electronic System for Travel Authorization — a US Customs and Border Protection pre-departure authorization required for visa-free entry to the United States by Visa Waiver Program-eligible nationalities. Required for both entry and most transit through US airports; valid for 2 years (or until passport expires).
A United MileagePlus benefit allowing elite members to add a free Star Alliance partner stopover to a one-way award redemption at no additional miles cost. Originally a 2009 programme feature, the Excursion Perk has survived multiple programme restructures and remains a sweet-spot stretch for stopover-style itineraries.
An endorsement is a notation in the "Endorsement/Restrictions" box of an airline ticket (or its electronic equivalent) that records fare restrictions, refundability rules, change fees, and which other carriers can or cannot accept the ticket. Critical when rebooking on a different airline during disruptions.
A fare basis code is an alphanumeric code on your airline ticket that identifies the exact fare rules including the fare class, routing, validity period, advance purchase requirements, and change/refund conditions.
Elite status is a tier level within an airline frequent flyer programme earned by meeting minimum flying or spending thresholds, granting benefits like complimentary upgrades, lounge access, priority boarding, and bonus miles.
A fare bucket is the limited inventory of seats available at a specific fare class and price level on a given flight. Airlines allocate different numbers of seats to each bucket, and prices increase as cheaper buckets sell out.
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