Air China compensation: up to €600 per passenger

Air China compensation: €600 on flights from Europe to China

Air China is China's flag carrier, based in Beijing, with nonstop flights from European cities such as Frankfurt, Milan and Venice. We have opened more than 100 Air China claims for over 150 passengers, mostly on long-haul trips to Beijing or via Beijing to South-East Asia. Every route between Europe and China is longer than 3,500 km, so when a covered flight arrives 3 hours or more late or is cancelled at short notice, the amount is €600 per passenger.

The key point first: Air China Limited is headquartered in Beijing and is a non-EU airline. Regulation (EC) 261/2004 only binds it on flights departing from an airport in the EU, Iceland, Norway or Switzerland. Paris–Beijing is covered; Beijing–Paris is not, even though it lands in the EU. Flights leaving the UK fall under UK rules instead.

Connecting itinerary? Enter your departure airport, final destination and date. Check your Air China flight.

How much Air China pays: covered and uncovered routes

Economy or Business makes no difference. With Air China, what matters most is where you fly from.

The money is due to each traveller, children with their own seat included: a family of four on a Frankfurt–Beijing flight cancelled three days ahead can claim €2,400. On routes over 3,500 km a delay of 3 hours or more is enough for €600.

Air China flight delayed: what to do

Around 6 in 10 of the Air China claims we handle are about delays. On a trip with a stop in Beijing, the time that counts is when the doors open at your final airport, not when you land in China. While you wait:

1. Keep every boarding pass, including the onward one from Beijing.
2. Photograph the departures board and save Air China emails and texts with the new time.
3. Check who operates the flight: on a codeshare ticket it may be Lufthansa or another airline.
4. Ask the desk for meal vouchers and keep receipts for anything you buy.
5. Do not accept PhoenixMiles instead of cash before you know what you are owed.

Care Air China owes you in Europe

On departures from the EU, Air China must give you meals and drinks and, if you leave the next day, a hotel with transfers.

Missed connection in Beijing

On a single booking from Europe, say Frankfurt–Beijing–Phuket, if the first flight makes you miss the connection and you reach Phuket 3 hours or more late, compensation covers the whole journey. With separate tickets only the flight from the EU counts. More on our page about Air China delayed flight compensation.

Air China flight cancelled: refund and compensation

One in three Air China claims we handle stems from a cancellation. Taking the replacement flight does not cost you the compensation.

Schedule change. For the EU Court of Justice, a Paris–Beijing departure brought forward by several hours and notified late can count as a cancellation. Read our page on Air China cancelled flight compensation.

Air China overbooking

Denied boarding is rare in our Air China files, about 2 cases in 100. If you are left behind against your will on a flight from Europe, with a confirmed seat and on time at check-in, compensation is due immediately plus a replacement flight. It is not overbooking if you are stopped for a missing Chinese visa or an invalid passport. See our guide to Air China overbooking and denied boarding.

Strikes and Air China flights

If the disruption comes from a strike by Air China's own staff, compensation is normally due: it is part of the airline's business risk (EU Court of Justice, case C-28/20). A walkout by air traffic controllers or staff at a European airport is different: it is extraordinary, but care and refunds are still owed.

Air China rejected your claim? Typical reasons

Codeshare flights with Lufthansa and Air China group airlines

Air China works with the Lufthansa Group on Europe–China routes, and its group also includes Shenzhen Airlines, Air Macau and Dalian Airlines. The operating airline always pays: a Beijing–Frankfurt flight sold under a Lufthansa code but operated by Air China is not covered, while the same flight operated by Lufthansa is, because the carrier is European.

Return flights from China: what the Regulation does not cover

Even with a return ticket on one booking, the leg back from China is excluded:

• Beijing–Rome, Beijing–Paris or Beijing–Frankfurt: not covered
• Bangkok or Phuket to Europe via Beijing: not covered
• Zagreb–Bucharest–Beijing: covered, since both legs leave the EU

How to claim from Air China: on your own or with us

You can contact customer service through airchina.com, quoting the CA flight number, date and booking reference.

Already had a no from Air China?

Send us the reply. We first check whether the flight departed the EU, then whether the stated cause is genuinely extraordinary.

Documents needed

• E-ticket and boarding passesFor every leg of the itinerary.
• PassportFor every passenger, children included.
• Air China messagesCancellation or retiming emails and receipts for expenses.

Time limits

The Regulation sets no deadline: the law of the country where you claim applies (EU Court of Justice, case C-139/11). A trip to China some time ago may still be eligible. Enter your flight date.

How long Air China takes to pay

If Air China accepts, payment usually arrives within a few weeks. If it refuses, a formal demand and sometimes a case before a European court are needed, adding a few months. We then transfer your share by bank transfer.

Lost or damaged luggage with Air China

Suitcases fall under the Montreal Convention, not Regulation 261. Fill in a PIR before leaving the arrival airport, then claim from Air China within 7 days for damage or within 21 days of delivery for a delayed bag.

Air China contact details and flight status

Head office

Air China Limited, Shunyi District, Beijing, China

Claims

Customer service via the official airchina.com website

Flight status

airchina.com