EgyptAir compensation: up to €600 per passenger

EgyptAir compensation: what you can claim for a flight to Cairo

EgyptAir is Egypt's national airline, based at Cairo International Airport and a member of Star Alliance. We have represented more than 250 EgyptAir passengers, most of them flying from Madrid, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Rome or London to Cairo. If your flight left a European airport and reached its destination three hours late, was cancelled or left without you, you could be owed up to €600 each.

There is an important catch. EgyptAir is not an EU airline, so Regulation (EC) 261/2004 only binds it on flights departing from the EU, Iceland, Norway or Switzerland. Its flights from Cairo into Europe fall outside the EU rules, whatever happened on board.

Return ticket and unsure which leg qualifies? Run a free check on your EgyptAir flight.

How much EgyptAir owes: routes and amounts

The figure depends on the distance from the European departure airport to the final destination on your ticket. Most routes from western Europe to Cairo sit in the middle band.

Every passenger has a separate entitlement. Three people on a Madrid–Cairo flight that landed four hours late can claim €1,200 between them, and a child with a paid seat counts like an adult.

Flying from the UK? EgyptAir departures from Heathrow are covered by UK261, the British version of the rules, with compensation in pounds. If the airline will not pay, the Civil Aviation Authority is the regulator.

EgyptAir delay: what to do

Over 8 in 10 of the EgyptAir claims we receive involve a delay, often because the aircraft arrived late from Cairo and was then late leaving Europe. The delay is measured to the moment the doors open at your destination. Our advice:

1. Photograph the departures board at the European airport showing the revised time.
2. Keep boarding passes for every leg, including any onward flight from Cairo.
3. Ask EgyptAir ground staff what caused the delay and write down the time.
4. Keep receipts if nobody offers food or a hotel.
5. Do not settle for miles or vouchers; the compensation is payable in cash.

Care at the departure airport

At the European airport EgyptAir has to provide meals, drinks and, if the flight slips overnight, a hotel and transport.

Missed connection in Cairo

Cairo is a busy transfer hub for Africa, the Middle East and Asia. If your journey began in Europe on a single booking and you reached the final destination three or more hours late, compensation is based on the full distance, even if the delay happened on the second flight. More on our page about EgyptAir delay compensation.

EgyptAir cancelled your flight: your options

When EgyptAir cancels a departure from Europe, it normally offers a new flight or your money back. Those rights are separate from cash compensation.

Big schedule changes. If EgyptAir moves a European departure by several hours shortly before you fly, it can count as a cancellation. See our page on EgyptAir cancellation compensation.

EgyptAir overbooking

This is rare with EgyptAir, about 1 claim in 100 in our files. If you are refused boarding at a European airport because the flight is full, with a valid ticket and documents, compensation is due immediately. It is not owed if, for example, you lacked a visa or entry document needed for your destination. Read our guide to EgyptAir overbooking.

EgyptAir strikes

If EgyptAir's own staff walk out and a flight from Europe is delayed or cancelled, the airline still has to pay: the EU Court of Justice treats this as a risk inside the business (case C-28/20). When air traffic controllers or European airport workers strike, no compensation is due, though care still is.

EgyptAir said no? Typical reasons explained

An EgyptAir rejection should always be checked against what actually happened.

EgyptAir flights that are not covered, and codeshares

As a non-EU carrier, EgyptAir is bound by the EU rules in one direction only. Not covered, for example:

• Cairo–London, Cairo–Berlin or Cairo–Madrid
• domestic Egyptian flights, or Cairo to other non-EU countries, unless the trip started in Europe

Star Alliance codeshares. What matters is the operating airline. If your ticket shows an MS number but a European airline flew the plane, you are covered on flights into the EU too. Air Cairo, part-owned by EgyptAir, is a separate Egyptian airline.

How to claim against EgyptAir

You can contact EgyptAir through the customer service pages of egyptair.com, quoting your booking reference, flight number and Regulation 261. Or you can let us handle it.

Already rejected

If EgyptAir has refused a claim for a flight from Europe, forward us the letter and we will assess a formal demand.

Useful documents

• E-ticket and boarding passesFor every leg, connections included.
• Passport or IDFor each passenger.
• Notices and receiptsEgyptAir emails or texts and receipts for extra costs.

Time limits for EgyptAir claims

There is no single EU deadline; national rules where the claim is brought apply, as the EU Court of Justice ruled in case C-139/11. Enter your flight date and we will tell you if you can still claim.

When EgyptAir pays out

If EgyptAir accepts the claim, payment normally takes a few weeks. If it needs a formal demand or court action, expect several months. We keep you posted by email and send your share by bank transfer.

EgyptAir lost or damaged luggage

Bags are governed by the Montreal Convention, including on flights from Cairo. Fill in a PIR on arrival and write to EgyptAir within 7 days for damage, or within 21 days of delivery for a delayed bag.

EgyptAir contact details and flight status

Head office

EgyptAir administrative complex, Cairo International Airport, Egypt

Complaints

Customer service section of egyptair.com

Flight status

EgyptAir official website