AirHelp
FreeFlight compensation service that helps passengers claim up to €600 for delayed, cancelled, or overbooked flights under EU regulations and other air passenger rights laws.
What does this tool do?
AirHelp is a flight compensation claims service that specializes in pursuing airline compensation on behalf of passengers under EU Regulation 261/2004 and similar international air passenger rights laws. The platform handles the entire claims process—from initial eligibility verification through negotiation with airlines—taking a 35% contingency fee only if compensation is secured. Users submit flight details or scan boarding passes, and AirHelp's legal team builds cases and negotiates directly with airlines for delays over 3 hours, cancellations within 14 days of departure, missed connections, denied boarding, and strike-related disruptions. The service covers up to $650 per passenger depending on flight distance. Beyond claims processing, AirHelp offers AirHelp+ insurance for future trip protection and a mobile app for real-time flight tracking with automatic compensation alerts.
AI analysis from Feb 23, 2026
Key Features
- Boarding pass barcode scanner and uploader for rapid claim submission without manual flight data entry
- Automated eligibility checker that instantly determines compensation amount ($250-$650) based on flight distance and disruption type
- End-to-end claim management where AirHelp's legal team negotiates directly with airlines on behalf of claimants
- AirHelp+ insurance product offering up to $600 in fast payouts, lounge access, and zero-fee compensation claims for enrolled passengers
- Mobile app with real-time flight tracking, automatic compensation alerts, and trip protection enrollment
- Transparent fee structure clearly displayed upfront (35% including VAT, taken only from recovered compensation)
- Multi-language and multi-currency support across 28 million customers globally
Use Cases
- 1Passengers claiming compensation for flights delayed more than 3 hours to recover lost time and inconvenience costs
- 2Travelers whose flights were canceled within 14 days of departure seeking reimbursement without legal expertise
- 3Business travelers who missed connecting flights and arrived significantly late, needing compensation without pursuing litigation
- 4Frequent flyers using AirHelp+ insurance to preemptively protect upcoming trips and avoid future claim hassles
- 5Passengers denied boarding due to overbooking seeking automatic compensation through AirHelp's streamlined process
Pros & Cons
Advantages
- No upfront costs—35% contingency fee is only charged if compensation is won, eliminating financial risk for claimants
- Exceptional customer trust metrics with 231,969 Trustpilot reviews at 4.5/5 stars and 13+ years of operational credibility handling 28 million customers
- Fast claim submission (2 minutes via boarding pass scan or manual entry) with automated eligibility checking removes friction and reduces user effort
- Comprehensive global coverage spanning EU 261/2004 and international regulations across multiple jurisdictions beyond just European flights
- Mobile app integration provides proactive flight tracking and automatic compensation alerts, catching eligible claims without user action
Limitations
- 35% contingency fee is relatively high compared to some competitors and significantly reduces final payout—$650 compensation becomes $422.50 net
- Limited to specific disruption categories (delays 3+ hours, cancellations 14+ days before, missed connections); doesn't address other travel issues like luggage damage or accommodation costs
- Success rates and outcomes depend heavily on airline cooperation and regional regulations; some airlines dispute claims aggressively, creating variability in results
- Geographic limitations exist despite 'global' positioning—compensation amounts and eligibility criteria vary dramatically by jurisdiction, with stronger protections in EU vs. US/Asia-Pacific
- Reliance on historical data and documentation means disputes or missing records can tank claims, and AirHelp cannot force airlines to settle
Pricing Details
AirHelp operates on a 35% contingency fee model (including VAT) charged only against compensation successfully recovered from airlines—no upfront costs. Compensation amounts range from $250 to $650 depending on flight distance (0-1,500 km yields $250; 1,500-3,500 km yields $400; 3,500+ km yields $650). AirHelp+ insurance is available as an additional paid subscription offering up to $600 in fast insurance payouts, lounge access, and zero-fee airline compensation claims, but specific pricing for this product is not disclosed on the main website.
Who is this for?
Individual air travelers (both leisure and business passengers) who experienced flight disruptions and seek compensation without legal involvement. Best suited for people unfamiliar with their air passenger rights, those lacking time or expertise to pursue claims independently, frequent flyers protecting future trips via AirHelp+ insurance, and international travelers navigating complex cross-border compensation regulations. Not designed for airlines, corporate travel departments managing bulk claims, or passengers with non-standard disruption types.