EU261 Rights Independent

Current position

Your rights have not changed. The June 2026 reform keeps the three-hour threshold and the €250–€600 amounts. It is not yet in force. What was agreed →

Checked 27 Jul 2026

EU261 · AF

Air France flight compensation

Major long-haul network. Long-haul routes to AirHelp.

Typical amounts

€250 / £220 · €400 / £350 · €600 / £520

Set by distance under Art 7(1), per passenger.

Regulator

DGAC (France)

Free escalation if the airline refuses or ignores you.

Registered in

France

Relevant to arrivals into the EU or UK from outside.

Where to send it

Online form; DGAC complaint if refused.

What they tend to argue

  • ATC strikes in French airspace are common and are genuinely extraordinary — but only excuse the delay they actually caused.
  • France's five-year window means older claims are frequently still live.

Claim it yourself first

  1. Write to Air France quoting the article. “I am claiming under Article 7 for a delayed arrival on [flight] on [date].” Free, and you keep the whole amount. Use the template.
  2. Give them 28 days and diary the deadline.
  3. Refuse a voucher offered in place of cash.
  4. Escalate free to DGAC (France) if they refuse.
  5. Only then consider a claims service.

Long-haul refusals are the ones most likely to need legal follow-through. Doing it yourself costs nothing and keeps the full amount — use a service once you have hit a wall.

Questions

How much compensation can I claim from Air France?

The amount depends on flight distance, not on the airline and not on your fare. Air France routes typically fall in the €250 / £220 · €400 / £350 · €600 / £520 range under Article 7.

How do I claim compensation from Air France?

Online form; DGAC complaint if refused. Write first, quoting Article 7 and your flight number, and allow 28 days before escalating to DGAC (France).

Which regulator covers Air France?

DGAC (France). You can also complain to the enforcement body of the country you departed from.