Last updated: August 22, 2025
Flight diversions are among the most unpredictable and frustrating experiences for air travellers. Your plane may get redirected to a completely different airport or get delayed by hours, leading to missed connections and unexpected expenses. The good news? Find out more about flight diversions, in what cases you can claim compensation for a diverted flight and how to take action with our guide.
A flight diversion occurs when an aircraft is forced to land at an airport that’s different from the original arrival airport on the flight itinerary. This is different from a flight delay or cancellation, as your flight may still take off as planned but get rerouted midair to a different location due to unforeseen circumstances. Some common reasons for flight diversions include :
Often, diverted flights are beyond the airline’s control. However, you may still be entitled to compensation if the cause is something the airline could have prevented by the airline.
The answer depends on the reason for the diversion, the delay it caused, and whether the airline was responsible for the disruption. You may be entitled to up to €600 in diverted flight compensation under EU261/2004 if your flight arrives at the final destination 3 hours or more later than scheduled. However, the reason for the diversion must be within the airline’s control. The most common cases for flight diversion include:
| Reason for Diversion | Eligible for Compensation? |
|---|---|
| Technical issues | ✅ Yes |
| Operational mismanagement | ✅ Yes |
| Weather-related | ❌ No |
| Medical emergency | ❌ No |
| Air traffic control restrictions | ❌ No |
| Airport closure due to external events | ❌ No |
| Bird strike or wildlife collision | ❌ No |
| Security threat | ❌ No |
Keep in mind that even if your case falls within the first two scenarios, other criteria also play a role in your eligibility.
As usual, extraordinary circumstances are not part of the compensation bracket. Nevertheless, the airline must still provide assistance and rerouting.
The compensation you can claim for a diverted flight largely depends on the distance of your journey and the length of the delay upon arrival . You may be eligible for up to €600 in compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004 (also adopted as UK261 in the UK after Brexit). Here are the standard amounts by flight distance:
| Flight Distance | Compensation Amount | Example Route |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 1,500 km | £220 (€250) | London → Paris |
| 1,500–3,500 km | £350 (€400) | Manchester → Istanbul |
| Over 3,500 km | £520 (€600) | Frankfurt → Dubai |
Filing a claim for a diverted flight can be complicated depending on your case, but there are ways to ease the process and increase your chances of success. Here’s our step-by-step guide to claiming diverted flight compensation:
Not all diversions automatically qualify for diverted flight compensation. Several key factors are considered when calculating whether you're owed money and how much:
| Factor | Impact on Compensation |
|---|---|
| Responsibility | Compensation is only payable if the airline is responsible for the diversion. |
| Arrival delay | You must arrive 3+ hours late at your final destination to qualify. |
| Extraordinary circumstances | No compensation if the diversion was caused by weather, medical emergencies, or air traffic control. |
| Airline | The flight must be operated by an EU/UK airline. |
| Timely rerouting | If the airline reroutes you and your delay is under 4 hours, the compensation may be reduced by 50%. |
Reduced compensation example: If your flight from London to New York is diverted to Boston, and the airline arranges an onward connection or transfer causing only a 3.5-hour total delay, your compensation may be reduced from €600 to €300.
Airlines are exempt from paying compensation when the cause of a flight diversion falls under “ extraordinary circumstances ”, which are events outside the airline’s control and couldn’t have been avoided even if all reasonable measures were taken.
You may be entitled to compensation for a missed connection caused by a flight diversion under certain conditions:
The airline is responsible for ensuring that you reach your final destination when your flight is diverted and you miss a connection. If the delay at your final destination exceeds 3 hours , you have the following rights:
Time limits for filing flight compensation claims depend on the country, as they are based on national civil codes and vary significantly. Here's an overview of the time limits for claiming flight compensation:
Expert Tip: Submit your claim as soon as possible to avoid delays, especially if you’re dealing with international jurisdictions where evidence may be harder to retrieve later.
Even when compensation is unavailable, passengers affected by flight diversions are always entitled to essential services under the Right to Care clause in Regulation EC 261/2004 that protect their well-being during long waits or rerouting. This includes:
The Right to Care applies regardless of the cause of the diversion , including extraordinary circumstances. It also applies whether or not you are eligible for diverted flight compensation and regardless of your ticket class or travel purpose.
Expert Tip: If the airline doesn’t offer this assistance at the airport, you are allowed to purchase what you need and claim reimbursement later. Make sure to keep all receipts and try to limit yourself to the basic necessities, as airlines will not reimburse you for any unnecessary purchases.
Your refund eligibility for a diverted flight depends on the nature of the disruption and whether you chose to continue your journey . You may be eligible for a full or partial refund if:
Remember that you waive your right to a refund as soon as you decide to continue your journey on a rerouted flight. However, you may still be entitled to compensation if the delay at your final destination is 3 hours or more. See the main differences between the two in the table below:
| Refund | Compensation |
|---|---|
| You get a refund for the unused ticket | You receive financial reparation for the inconvenience |
| Applies if you choose not to travel or complete the journey | Applies if you’re delayed 3+ hours due to the airline's fault |
| Provided regardless of the cause | Only paid if the airline is responsible for the disruption |
Important: You can claim both a refund and compensation in certain scenarios, such as refusing rerouting after a diversion and experiencing a qualifying delay.
SkyRefund exists to help passengers claim compensation for flight disruptions under the rules outlined in EU Regulation 261/2004. Our international team of experts can assist you in assessing your eligibility and preparing your claim in over 12 languages. Submit your claim through SkyRefund today and let our team pursue compensation on your behalf with no upfront cost. Our no-win, no-fee policy ensures you only pay if we succeed in getting your diverted flight compensation.
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