Your flight was cancelled due to bad weather
Weather cancellations are often cited as extraordinary circumstances — but not all weather events qualify, and duty of care always applies regardless. Some weather cancellations are fully claimable.
Compensation
Duty of care always; comp if weather was foreseeable
Regulation
EC261 Art.5 + Art.9
Time Limit
2–6 years (varies by country)
Airlines distinguish between foreseeable weather (light snow, fog during winter) and extraordinary weather (hurricanes, volcanic ash). Only the latter relieves them of compensation — but duty of care always applies.
EC261 Art.5(3): Airline must prove the weather was (a) beyond their control and (b) they took all reasonable measures. Duty of care under Art.9 applies regardless.
Cash compensation may apply even for weather if it was foreseeable. Duty of care always applies.
| Scenario / Distance | Example | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extraordinary weather confirmed + all measures taken | Ash cloud closure | No cash comp — duty of care applies | Hotel, meals, rebooking owed |
| Weather foreseeable or airline failed reasonable measures test | Seasonal fog, avoidable schedule | €250 – €600 | Standard EC261 applies |
| Duty of care (all weather cancellations) | Any overnight wait | Hotel, meals, transport | Always owed regardless of cause |
Check these against your situation — the more you can tick, the stronger your claim.
Flight covered by EC261
RequiredCancellation notified to you (regardless of reason)
RequiredAirline failed to provide meals during the wait
ConditionalAirline failed to arrange hotel if overnight stranding
ConditionalWeather was foreseeable (e.g. seasonal) OR airline failed to take reasonable measures
ConditionalNot sure if you qualify? Submit your details via our free claim checker — we assess eligibility at no cost and no obligation.
"Any weather is extraordinary."
Predictable seasonal weather — winter fog, light snow at northern European airports — is not extraordinary. Airlines must plan for typical weather on typical routes. We challenge lazy weather claims with historical data.
"We cancelled for safety."
Safety is always paramount — but it doesn't override EC261. If the cancellation was safety-motivated due to foreseeable weather the airline should have planned for, the extraordinary defence can still fail.
"We don't owe you a hotel — weather is force majeure.'"
Force majeure doesn't apply to EC261 duty of care. Art.9 obligations apply regardless of cause. You are owed accommodation during overnight waits no matter what.
We handle everything from the first letter to final payment. You do nothing.
Collect your boarding pass, booking confirmation, and any communications from the airline. Screenshot the flight status.
Our form takes under 3 minutes. We handle the full claim process including letters before action and enforcement.
We notify you when the airline pays. Our 25% fee is deducted only on successful recovery — nothing if we don't win.
Specific answers to the questions that matter for your case.
No win, no fee — 25% only on success
We handle the airline. You get paid. Duty of Care + possible €600.
Last updated: 2025-01-15 · Covers EC261, UK261 and Montreal Convention