Claim yourself or use a claim service?
Claiming yourself is free and you keep 100%. Claim companies keep 30–35% (more if a court case is needed) but do the work and charge nothing if they lose. Try yourself first when the airline admits fault.
Check my flight in 30 secondsYou can claim directly from the airline through its website form, and if it refuses, go to the national enforcement body or a mediator in the country of departure. It costs nothing but can take months and several follow-ups.
Claim services such as Compensair or AirHelp do the paperwork, chase the airline and go to court if needed. They charge nothing if they lose. If they win, they keep a share of the compensation, typically 30–35% including VAT, plus 10–20% more at most services if a court case is needed.
A simple rule: if the airline already admitted the cause was technical or crew-related, try it yourself first. If it blames weather, refuses, or ignores you, a service is often worth its fee. Write your claim letter for free or compare the services.
How long does a claim take?
When the airline accepts, payment usually arrives within a few weeks to a few months. If it refuses and you go through a national body or a court, it can take six months or more. Claim services take a similar time but do the chasing for you.
Can I switch to a claim service after the airline refuses?
Yes. An airline's refusal does not stop a claim service from taking the case, and many of the cases they win were first refused. Send them the airline's reply.
Do claim services charge anything if they lose?
No, the services we compare work on a no-win, no-fee basis. Check what happens if the airline pays you directly while a service handles your claim: some still charge their fee.
Missing Plane may earn a commission when you use a claim service through our links. It does not change what you pay.