Your Rights If a Flight Is Cancelled or Delayed in Italy

Disruption to a planned flight can ruin a holiday or business trip and cause a lot of stress. But under EU Regulation 261/2004, you are legally entitled to assistance and even significant financial compensation in many cases — and most travelers never claim what they're owed.

Does EU Law Cover My Flight?

EU passenger rights legislation applies if any one of the following is true:

• Your flight was within the EU (any airline).
• Your flight departed from an EU country to anywhere in the world (any airline).
• Your flight arrived in the EU from outside the EU, AND was operated by an EU-based airline.

For these purposes, "EU" also includes Norway, Iceland, and Switzerland.

Compensation for Delays

If your flight arrives 3 or more hours late at your final destination, you are entitled to compensation. The amount depends on the distance of the flight:

• €250 — flights up to 1,500 km (e.g., Rome to London, Milan to Athens)
• €400 — flights between 1,500–3,500 km within the EU, or 1,500–3,500 km to/from non-EU countries
• €600 — flights over 3,500 km (e.g., Rome to New York)

Important: delays are measured by arrival time, not departure time. Even if your departure was delayed, if the pilot makes up time and you arrive less than 3 hours late, you may not be entitled to compensation.

What About Cancelled Flights?

If your flight is cancelled, you are entitled to choose between: a full refund of your ticket, re-routing to your destination at the earliest opportunity, or re-routing at a later date of your choice. The airline cannot force you to accept a rebooking if you want a refund.

You may also be entitled to the same compensation amounts as for delays, unless the airline informed you of the cancellation at least 14 days before departure.

Right to Care (Food, Hotel, Calls)

For delays of 2+ hours (departure time), the airline must provide: free meals and refreshments proportionate to the waiting time, two free phone calls or emails, and for overnight delays, hotel accommodation and transport to/from the airport.

Exceptions: "Extraordinary Circumstances"

Airlines don't have to pay compensation if the delay or cancellation was caused by "extraordinary circumstances" — things like severe weather, air traffic control strikes, or security threats. However, internal airline strikes (cabin crew, pilots) do NOT count as extraordinary circumstances. The airline must prove the circumstances were unavoidable.

How to Make a Claim in Italy

Contact the airline directly in writing first. If they refuse or don't respond within a reasonable time, you can escalate to Italy's National Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) at www.enac.gov.it. In Italy, you have up to 2 years to file a claim.