Disclosure: Some links are sponsored. We may earn a commission if you use Compensair through our links, at no extra cost to you. You can always claim from the airline yourself for free, and we explain how below.
Last reviewed: by the Smart Savings Guides editorial team. How we research and update articles.
SponsoredCheck your flight with CompensairSponsored link: we may earn a commission if you sign up, buy or are approved, at no extra cost to you. Costs, limits and who it suits are explained below.
Yes, Compensair is a legitimate claims company: it pursues compensation for delayed, cancelled and overbooked flights on your behalf, mainly under the EU and UK passenger rules, and takes a cut if it collects. Its payment policy page (updated June 1, 2025) sets that cut at 35% of the compensation, plus an extra 10% legal fee if it has to pay outside lawyers or court costs. An older PDF version of the policy says 30%, so check the figure shown when you sign up. The key point: you can claim from the airline yourself for free, and many airlines pay valid claims without a fight.
Key takeaways
- Real business: Compensair lists a London business address and says it has claimed from 150 airlines in 60 countries.
- Fee: 35% of the compensation (current payment policy page), plus 10% more if legal costs arise. On a €400 claim you'd receive €260, or €220 with the legal fee.
- Read the fine print: if the airline pays you directly after you've signed up, you must tell Compensair within 3 days and pay its fee.
- Try the airline first if your case is clear-cut. A claims service helps most when the airline refuses or ignores you.
Would rather not chase the airline yourself?
Sponsored link: we may earn a commission if you sign up, buy or are approved through it, at no extra cost to you.
Compensair checks whether your flight qualifies and handles the claim. If it collects, it keeps a fee from the compensation.
Check your flight with Compensair
Its payment policy page (updated June 1, 2025) sets the service fee at 35% of the compensation obtained, plus a possible 10% legal fee. Claiming directly from the airline is free.
What Compensair does
You enter your flight details on Compensair's website. It checks whether the flight qualifies, then contacts the airline, handles the back-and-forth, and escalates if needed. Its site lists delayed flights, cancelled flights, denied boarding and missed connections. When the airline pays, the money goes to Compensair, which deducts its fee and transfers the rest to your bank account.
How much you could be owed
Compensation under the EU and UK rules is a fixed amount based on flight distance, not on your ticket price. It applies when you arrive 3 or more hours late (or the flight is cancelled at short notice, or you're bumped), and not when the airline can show "extraordinary circumstances" such as severe weather.
| Flight distance | EU rules (Regulation 261/2004) | UK rules (per the UK CAA) |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 1,500 km | €250 | £220 |
| 1,500 to 3,500 km (and intra-EU flights over 1,500 km) | €400 | £350 |
| Over 3,500 km | €600 (can be halved to €300 for a 3 to 4 hour delay) | £520 (£260 for a 3 to 4 hour delay) |
US domestic flights are different: there's no federal cash compensation for delays, though you may be owed a refund for cancellations and significant changes. See US flight delay and refund rights.
What Compensair costs, worked out
| Compensation | 35% fee | You receive | If the 10% legal fee applies |
|---|---|---|---|
| €250 | €87.50 | €162.50 | €137.50 |
| €400 | €140 | €260 | €220 |
| €600 | €210 | €390 | €330 |
Compensair's payment policy also says bank transfer fees are paid by you, and that it asks for your bank details and a copy of your passport to pay you.
The fine print worth knowing
- Direct payments still owe a fee. If the airline or anyone else pays you directly after you've signed the agreement, the policy says you must tell Compensair within 3 days and transfer its success fee.
- Payout checks. Compensair says it isn't a financial institution and pays out through licensed payment providers, which may ask for extra identity checks before releasing your money.
- One claim at a time. Don't submit the same flight to the airline and to a claims company at the same time.
Compensair or DIY?
| Claim yourself (free) if... | A claims service can make sense if... |
|---|---|
| The delay is clearly the airline's fault and over 3 hours | The airline has refused or ignored your claim |
| The airline has an online claim form | You don't want to escalate to a regulator, ADR scheme or court yourself |
| You're comfortable sending a couple of follow-ups | You'd rather trade part of the payout for not doing the paperwork |
Not sure if your flight qualifies? Our free flight delay compensation checker runs through the EU, UK and US rules in a minute, and our compensation guide explains how to claim directly.
How to claim directly from the airline
- Note your flight number, date, and scheduled and actual arrival times, and keep your boarding pass.
- Find the airline's compensation ("EU261" or "UK261") claim form on its website.
- State the distance band and amount you're claiming, and ask for a written reason if it refuses.
- If it refuses or doesn't reply, escalate to the national enforcement body, the airline's alternative dispute resolution (ADR) scheme in the UK, or a claims service.
Check your flight with Compensair
Sponsored link: we may earn a commission if you sign up, buy or are approved, at no extra cost to you. Check current prices and terms on the provider's own site first.
Free: the travel money checklist
A printable checklist for avoiding foreign transaction fees, ATM fees and poor exchange rates on your next trip. Join our email list and it opens right away.
We haven't started sending emails yet. When we do, expect a few a month at most: new guides, reminders and occasionally a sponsored offer, always labeled. Every email will have an unsubscribe link. We store only your email address, the list you joined, the page and the date, and we never sell or share it. See our privacy policy.
Frequently asked questions
Is Compensair a scam?
No. Compensair is a flight compensation claims company with a published payment policy and a London business address. It takes a percentage of any compensation it wins, so compare that with claiming from the airline yourself for free.
How much does Compensair take?
Its payment policy page (updated June 1, 2025) says 35% of the compensation obtained, plus an extra 10% legal fee if it incurs outside legal costs. An older PDF version said 30%, so check the figure when you sign up.
Can I claim flight compensation myself?
Yes. Under the EU and UK rules you can claim directly from the airline for free, usually through an online form. Claims services are most useful when the airline refuses or ignores you.
How long does Compensair take to pay?
It depends on the airline and whether the claim needs legal action. Compensair pays by bank transfer after it receives the money, minus its fee, and its payment provider may ask for identity checks first.
Sources
Official sources this article relies on, checked October 17, 2026. Rules and prices change, so confirm details at the source.
Getting ready for a trip? Read the main travel connectivity guide, compare eSIMs, roaming and local SIMs, or see how flight delay compensation works.