Content last reviewed: 2026-09-15. Page template refreshed: 2026-07-20. Use this page to organize post-disruption facts, then verify the current official rules for the route and operating carrier.
Choose the official path before reading a result
| Path | Use it when | Official verification |
|---|---|---|
| EU261 | The journey departs the EU/EEA/Switzerland or arrives there on a qualifying operating carrier. | Your Europe and national enforcement body |
| UK261 | The journey departs the UK or matches a qualifying UK arrival pattern. | UK Civil Aviation Authority |
| Canada APPR | The flight is to, from or within Canada. | Canadian Transportation Agency |
| United States DOT | A U.S. cancellation, significant change, refund or airline commitment is involved. | U.S. Department of Transportation |
| Other route | Another country or international convention may apply. | Departure-country regulator and operating airline |
Why the checker asks about final arrival and one booking
A delay at departure does not tell the full story. EU and UK protected-connection questions often use arrival at the ticketed final destination, while Canadian rules also distinguish cause and final delay. Separate tickets can break the link between flights.
Record the booking reference, operating carrier, scheduled final arrival and actual final arrival. The checker uses those facts to select a verification path, not to declare legal eligibility.
Care, refund, rerouting and possible compensation are separate
| Question | What to look for | Do not assume |
|---|---|---|
| Care | Meals, communication, hotel or transport while waiting. | It depends on every compensation result |
| Refund | Unused travel when the airline cancels or significantly changes service under applicable rules. | A voucher is identical to cash |
| Rerouting | Alternative travel to the final destination. | The first offer is the only possible option |
| Possible compensation | Route, cause, notice, delay and passenger conduct. | A payment is guaranteed |
Cause and passenger conduct
Ask the airline for its reason in writing. Weather, air-traffic restrictions, security and airport events can lead to different analysis from ordinary staffing or operational problems. Canadian guidance also distinguishes events within airline control, within control but required for safety, and outside control.
For denied boarding or a missed flight, confirm the traveler checked in, held valid documents and reached the gate on time. A tool cannot repair a passenger-caused no-show.
Evidence pack
- Booking reference and all ticket numbers
- Operating carrier for each affected segment
- Boarding passes and check-in proof
- Scheduled and actual final-arrival times
- Cancellation notice timing
- Written airline reason and offers
- Meal, hotel, transport and replacement-travel receipts
- Airline claim or complaint case number
Result workflow
- Run the checker with the best available facts.
- Open the official source link named in the result.
- Correct any missing operating-carrier, booking or timing information.
- Ask the airline for written options and reason.
- Keep care, refund, rerouting and compensation questions separate.
- Escalate only through the channel relevant to the route and airline response.
Official verification sources
FAQ
Does the checker confirm legal eligibility?
No. It organizes facts and points to official sources. Eligibility depends on current law, route, operating carrier, cause, timing and evidence.
Why does the operating carrier matter?
Coverage and responsibility can depend on the airline that operated the disrupted flight, not only the brand that sold the ticket.
Why are refund and compensation separate?
They answer different questions. A journey may involve care, rerouting or refund even when compensation is unavailable or disputed.