In 2024, Air France operated 272,474 flights and 3,228 flights were cancelled. Of the 272,474 flights operated, 1,507 were delayed by more than 3 hours and passengers may be entitled to compensation.
Air France compensation - get money if your journey goes wrong
Have you experienced problems with Air France - such as a delayed flight, cancellation shortly before departure or overbooking? In many cases, you may be entitled to compensation under EU law.
Refundmore helps you understand your rights and ensures you receive the compensation you're entitled to - without spending time writing complaints or fighting with the airline yourself.
Briefly about Air France
Air France is one of Europe's largest and oldest airlines. It was founded in 1933 and is today part of the Air France-KLM group. Based at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport and with thousands of daily flights worldwide, Air France transports millions of passengers every year.
But even major airlines experience problems. Delays, cancellations and overbookings happen - and if the airline doesn't fulfil its obligations when changes to the itinerary occur, passengers are entitled to compensation.
At Refundmore, we fight for you as a consumer to get what you are entitled to.
Your rights as an Air France passenger
As a passenger on an Air France flight, you are covered by EU Regulation 261/2004, which protects passengers in the event of a flight delay, cancellation, or denied boarding. The rules generally apply if you are travelling from an EU country or if your flight arrives in the EU with a European airline.
You are typically entitled to financial compensation if:
You arrive at your final destination with more than 3 hours delay
Your flight was cancelled less than 14 days before departure
You were denied boarding due to overbooking
Compensation varies depending on the route and distance, but can be up to €600 per passenger.
You can get an overview of how much compensation you are entitled to in the table here:
Reason | Delayed arrival | Flights under 1.500 km | Flights 1.501 - 3.500 km | Flights over 3.500 km between EU-countries | Flights over 3.500 km to/from EU-countries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cancelled* | 2 – 3 hours | 250 € | 200 € | 200 € | 300 € |
Cancelled /Delayed | 3 – 4 hours | 250 € | 400 € | 400 € | 300 € |
Cancelled/Delayed | More than 4 hours** | 250 € | 400 € | 400 € | 600 € |
Overbooked | 250 € | 400 € | 400 € | 600 € |
* If the cancellation occurs less than 7 days before the scheduled departure.
** If the cancellation occurs between 14-7 days before the scheduled departure.
You can also enter your travel details in our compensation calculator to get an estimate of how much compensation you are entitled to:
When can you claim compensation from Air France?
It's all about what caused the delay or cancellation - and how much your trip was affected. Many passengers find that the airline tries to avoid paying by citing "extraordinary circumstances", but this is not always correct.
Typical reasons for delays and cancellations that entitle you to compensation:
Technical faults on the aircraft
Crew shortage at the airline
Overbooking without offering an alternative departure
Internal strike at the airline
When is Air France exempt from paying?
Air France can be exempt from paying compensation if the delay is due to circumstances beyond their control. These are called extraordinary circumstances and include, among others:
Terrorist threats or political conflicts
Weather conditions that make it dangerous to fly
Closed airspace or control tower issues
Often airlines use extraordinary circumstances as the reason for the cancellation or delay, even in cases where this is not applicable. That's why it's a good idea to have your case assessed by experts - and that's exactly what Refundmore offers.
What applies to cancelled Air France flights?
If your flight is cancelled and you weren't informed in time, you may be entitled to both a refund and compensation. Especially if the airline didn't offer a replacement flight or if the new flight resulted in you arriving more than 2 hours later than originally planned.
Have you experienced:
Cancellation without or with short notice?
Lack of rebooking to an alternative flight?
Delayed journey after re-routing?
Then you should check if you are entitled to compensation.
What applies to delayed flights?
For delays of three hours or more upon arrival, you are also entitled to financial compensation, unless Air France can prove that the cause was beyond their control, such as bad weather or a strike by airport staff.
It's important to recognise the difference between extraordinary circumstances and ordinary operational issues. We often see Air France giving an excuse that isn't sufficient under EU law - and that's where we step in and help you.
How does Refundmore help you get compensation?
If you've experienced problems with your flight, getting your money doesn't have to be a hassle. Refundmore offers a complete solution:
Simply enter your flight details in the compensation calculator
We assess whether you are entitled to compensation
We contact Air France and handle the case
We will take the case to court if necessary
We only charge a fee if we win the case for you
Let us take the fight for you
As a consumer, it can be difficult to know when you're entitled to something - and even harder to enforce your rights against a major airline. But with Refundmore on your side, your chances are good - and you risk nothing. You can read about other customers' experiences with our service here.
FAQ - Air France compensation
How long does my flight have to be delayed before I can get money?
A minimum delay of three hours on arrival entitles you to compensation.
Can I get compensation if I was rebooked?
Yes - if you were rebooked and it resulted in a delay of over two hours, you may be eligible for compensation.
Do the rules cover domestic flights in France?
Yes, as long as the departure is from an EU country, the EU regulation applies - also for domestic flights.
Can I get money even if I flew with a ticket from a travel agent?
Yes - Air France as an airline is responsible, regardless of where you bought the ticket.
Should I contact Air France myself?
You can, but many find it a long and frustrating process. Refundmore does the work for you.