On long-haul flights, Regulation (EC) 261/2004 protects you if you depart from an EU airport, with any airline, or arrive in the EU on a European airline: if you arrive 4 hours or more late on a flight over 3,500 km, you are owed €600 per passenger. Before you fly, check your documents, visas and connections carefully: that is where long trips most often go wrong.
When Regulation 261 covers long-haul flights
Your nationality does not matter; what counts is where the flight departs from and who operates it:
| Flight | Does Regulation 261/2004 apply? |
|---|---|
| Dublin–New York with any airline | Yes, because it departs from the EU |
| New York–Dublin with a European airline | Yes |
| New York–Dublin with a non-European airline | No |
| Dublin–Dubai–Bangkok on one booking, non-European airline | Yes, because the journey departs from the EU |
| Bangkok–Dubai–Dublin with a non-European airline | No |
On flights over 3,500 km compensation is €600 per passenger; on flights within the EU over 3,500 km, such as those to its outermost regions, it is €400. Flights departing from the UK follow the UK version of the rules, with amounts in pounds.
Documents and visas: what to check before you go
Entry rules are set by the destination country and can change. A few general rules still apply:
- passport: some countries require your passport to remain valid for a period after your return date, so check well before you book;
- visa or electronic travel authorisation: many countries require one before departure; for example, the United States requires an ESTA from visitors travelling without a visa;
- stopover in a third country: you may need a visa even just to transit, depending on the country and your nationality;
- children: may need extra documents or consent letters.
Always check with the airline and the destination country's authorities, and read the official travel advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs in Ireland or the FCDO in the UK. Note: if you are refused boarding because your documents are not in order, no compensation is owed.
Connections on long-haul trips
Many long-haul journeys involve one or more stopovers. The golden rule is to book everything on a single booking: if the first flight is late and you miss your connection, the airline must get you to your destination and, if you arrive 3 hours or more late, compensation is based on the distance to your final destination. Read our guide to missed connections.
With separate tickets, the second airline owes you nothing if you miss its flight: see our guide to connecting flights with different airlines. Always leave enough time between flights, especially if you have to clear border control or collect bags.
Long delays and cancellations: what you are owed
- Care: meals, drinks, communication and, if you fly the next day, a hotel and transfer.
- Refund: if the departure delay exceeds 5 hours and you decide not to travel, you can ask for your ticket to be refunded.
- Compensation: €600 per passenger if you arrive 4 hours or more late on a flight over 3,500 km, or if the flight is cancelled with less than 14 days' notice, unless there are extraordinary circumstances.
Checklist before a long-haul flight
- Check passports, visas and electronic authorisations early, for every traveller.
- Check the rules of your transit country if you stop outside the EU.
- Book connections on the same booking and leave time between flights.
- Save your booking and boarding passes on your phone and as a copy.
- Note the actual times if something goes wrong: your arrival time at the destination is what counts.
If your long-haul flight goes wrong
The full rules are on our delayed flight page. With DelayFlight24 you can check for free in 2 minutes whether you are owed compensation: if you go ahead, we handle the claim, the reminders and, if needed, court action, including against non-European airlines on flights departing from the EU. You pay nothing upfront and our fee is 25% + VAT only if you get compensated.
Frequently asked questions about intercontinental travel
Is my return flight from the US with an American airline covered?
No. On flights arriving in the EU from outside, the Regulation only applies if the airline is European.
How much am I owed for a delay on a long-haul flight?
€600 per passenger if you arrive 4 hours or more late on a flight over 3,500 km, unless there are extraordinary circumstances.
I was refused boarding because I had no visa: am I owed anything?
No. If your travel documents are not in order, the refusal is justified and no compensation is due.
Does the Regulation still apply with a stopover outside the EU?
Yes, if the journey departs from the EU on a single booking: the delay on arrival at your final destination is what counts.
Do I need a passport for an intercontinental trip?
Almost always: most countries outside the EU require one. Check the rules of your destination country.
Work out your compensation now
Enter where you flew from and to: in 2 minutes you will know whether you are owed compensation and how much.
- Free check, no commitment
- No upfront costs: 25% + VAT only if we win
- We deal with the airline for you
Find out more
- Air passenger rights
- Delayed flight: when you can claim compensation
- Cancelled flight: refund and compensation
- Overbooking: what you are owed
- What our service costs
Article updated on 22/10/2026 by the DelayFlight24 editorial team.