EasyClaim
Check
Back to help

FAQ · Delay

Compensation for a delayed flight: what you may be owed

Updated:

A delay doesn't always mean money, but sometimes it does. It depends on two things: which law applies to the flight (Israeli law, the EU regulation, or both) and how long the delay lasted.

In short

  • The Israeli Aviation Services Law applies to every flight departing from or landing in Israel, on any airline.
  • Under Israeli law, taking off 8 hours or more late counts as a cancellation: cash compensation by flight distance, plus a refund or an alternative ticket.
  • Under EU Regulation 261, arriving at the final destination 3 hours or more late gives compensation (EUR 250, 400 or 600 by distance) when the regulation applies.
  • With a shorter delay you are still owed care: food, drinks and means of communication, and after a long delay also a refund or an alternative ticket.
  • No cash compensation for extraordinary circumstances outside the airline's control. For one event you are compensated under one law only.
Check your flight

What you are owed by length of delay (Israeli law)

  • Departure delayed 2 hours or more: food, drinks and means of communication.
  • Delayed 5 to 8 hours: a refund or an alternative ticket, your choice.
  • Taking off 8 hours or more late: counts as a cancellation, with cash compensation per the table, plus a refund or an alternative ticket.

When the EU regulation (EU261) applies

It applies to flights departing from an EU airport, on any airline, and to flights landing in the EU if the operating airline is registered in the EU. It looks at the arrival time at the final destination, not the departure time.

On a long flight outside the EU (over 3,500 km) arriving 3 to 4 hours late, compensation under the regulation may be half the amount.

What to keep

  • Boarding pass and booking confirmation (booking reference, PNR)
  • Messages from the airline about the delay and its reason
  • The actual arrival time (a screenshot from an app or the arrivals board)
  • Receipts for expenses: food, taxi, hotel

What the law gives you: a rights summary

Israeli Aviation Services Law

Applies to every flight departing from or landing in Israel, on any airline.

Cash compensation per passenger by flight distance (2026 amounts, updated every January)
up to 2,000 km1,530 ₪
2,000–4,500 km2,450 ₪
over 4,500 km3,670 ₪
  • Departure delayed 2 hours or more: food, drinks and means of communication.
  • Delayed 5 to 8 hours: a refund or an alternative ticket, your choice.
  • Taking off 8 hours or more late counts as a cancellation: cash compensation per the table, plus a refund or an alternative ticket.
  • A cancellation announced 14 days or more ahead: no cash compensation, but a refund or alternative ticket. With shorter notice, compensation depends on the times of the alternative flight.
  • If the alternative flight landed close to the original time (within 2, 3 or 4 hours by distance), the airline may halve the compensation.
  • No cash compensation if the airline proves special circumstances outside its control that it could not prevent, a protected strike, or a cancellation to avoid flying on Shabbat or a holiday.
  • Compensation is due within 45 days of your written request, a ticket refund within 21 days. Payment is in money; a voucher only if you agreed explicitly and in writing.
  • You can claim up to 4 years after the event. During a declared "special situation" the minister may change some of these rights by order.

Domestic flights (for example to Eilat) have separate regulations: a flight counts as cancelled if it did not operate or took off 3 hours or more late, and compensation on the Tel Aviv or Haifa–Eilat line is 300 ILS (2026).

EU Regulation 261/2004

Applies to a flight departing from an EU airport (any airline), and to a flight into the EU on an EU-licensed airline.

Compensation per passenger by distance
up to 1,500 km€250
1,500–3,500 km (or within the EU over 1,500)€400
over 3,500 km€600
  • Arriving at the final destination 3 hours or more late entitles you to compensation, like a cancellation (CJEU, Sturgeon).
  • On flights over 3,500 km delayed 3 to 4 hours, compensation can be halved (€300).
  • No compensation for extraordinary circumstances that could not have been avoided with all reasonable measures.
  • One compensation per event: if you were compensated under a foreign law, you do not get the same kind of benefit again under the Israeli law.
  • An amendment signed in 2026 (Regulation 2026/2202) applies from 23.10.2027: the amounts stay the same, and from then claims must be filed within 9 months of the flight.

Sources (checked 01.11.2026): Aviation Services Law (Nevo) · Official Gazette 14222: 2026 amounts · Domestic flight regulations (Nevo) · Regulation 261/2004 (EUR-Lex) · Regulation 2026/2202 (EUR-Lex)

Common airline answers, and what the law says

"Technical problem"
Under CJEU case law, a fault arising from normal aircraft operation is usually not an extraordinary circumstance. Under the Israeli law too, the airline must prove it could not have prevented the cancellation. Ask what the fault was.
"Weather"
Can be a valid reason, but only if the weather really prevented this flight. Ask which airport and at what time.
"Strike"
The Israeli law exempts a protected strike. In the EU, a strike by the airline's own staff is usually not an extraordinary circumstance (CJEU C-28/20).
"We gave you a voucher"
Under the Israeli law compensation is paid in money; a voucher only with explicit written consent. The EU regulation also requires the passenger's signed agreement for a voucher.
"We told you in advance"
Only 14 days' notice or more removes compensation entirely. With shorter notice, what matters is when the alternative flight left and landed. Keep the notice you got, with its date.

How EasyClaim helps, step by step

  1. Enter the flight number and dateIn the eligibility check on the site. If you don't remember the number, search by route and date.
  2. Get a first assessmentBased on the route, the operating airline and what happened: which law may apply and what you may be owed.
  3. Prepare a tidy requestEasyClaim drafts a personal letter with your flight details, and you can keep your documents in your account.
  4. Submit it yourselfYou send the request to the airline through its official channel and keep the confirmation. We do not contact the airline on your behalf.

Questions and answers

How long must the flight be delayed for cash compensation?

Under Israeli law, taking off 8 hours or more late. Under EU Regulation 261, when it applies, arriving at the final destination 3 hours or more late. A shorter delay may give care, a refund or an alternative ticket, but not cash compensation.

How much money am I owed for a delay?

It depends on the flight distance and the law that applies. Under the EU regulation: EUR 250, 400 or 600 per passenger. The Israeli amounts are updated every January and are shown in the table on this page. The check on the site estimates it for your flight.

The airline says the delay was caused by weather. Am I owed anything?

Extraordinary circumstances outside the airline's control, such as extreme weather, may exempt it from cash compensation. The duty of care (food, drinks, and after a long delay a refund or alternative ticket) remains. The airline has to prove the circumstances.

I had a connecting flight. How is the delay counted?

Under the EU regulation, on a single booking with a connection, the arrival time at the final destination counts. In the check on the site you can enter the delayed flight and the final destination.

Can I get compensation under both Israeli law and the EU regulation?

No. When both apply, the stronger claim is checked, and for one event you are compensated under one law only.

How long do I have to claim?

Under Israeli law you can claim up to 4 years from the event. Under the EU regulation the deadline depends on the country. It's best to contact the airline early, while the documents are at hand.

What does EasyClaim cost?

The service is at no cost. There is no commission and no commitment, and any compensation is entirely yours. You submit the request yourself.

Check your flight

A flight number and date are enough for a first assessment, at no cost.

Check your flight

General information, not legal advice. Eligibility depends on the facts of the case and the applicable law. EasyClaim is not a law firm and does not represent passengers.