Does EU261 apply to flights from Warsaw with non-EU airlines?

Yes. EU261 applies to all flights departing from an EU airport, regardless of which airline operates the flight. It also applies to flights arriving into an EU airport if the operating airline is based in the EU. A Ryanair or LOT flight departing Warsaw is covered; a non-EU airline flight arriving into Warsaw from outside the EU is not.

How much compensation am I entitled to for a delayed flight from Poland?

Under EU261, compensation is €250 for flights under 1,500 km arriving 3+ hours late, €400 for flights between 1,500–3,500 km, and €600 for flights over 3,500 km. The amount can be halved if the airline offers re-routing that gets you there within 2–4 hours of the original arrival time.

What counts as "extraordinary circumstances" that voids a compensation claim?

Airlines frequently cite extraordinary circumstances to avoid paying. Legitimate examples include severe weather, air traffic control strikes, or genuine security threats. Technical faults on the aircraft are generally NOT considered extraordinary and don't exempt the airline from paying compensation.

How long do I have to file a claim?

The time limit varies by country. In Poland, the statute of limitations for consumer claims is generally 3 years. However, it's always better to file promptly while documentation is fresh.

Flight Delay Compensation in Poland

Flight disruptions are common across Polish airports — Warsaw Chopin handles significant volume and is susceptible to delays during peak summer travel and winter weather. If your flight from or to Poland was delayed by 3 or more hours, or was cancelled without adequate notice, you may be entitled to financial compensation under EU law.

What Is EU261 and Who Does It Cover?

EU Regulation 261/2004 (EU261) is the passenger rights framework that applies across all EU member states, including Poland. It sets out your rights when flights are delayed, cancelled, or overbooked.

Covered flights:

All flights departing from an EU airport — regardless of which airline operates the flight. This includes Ryanair, Wizz Air, LOT Polish Airlines, easyJet, and any non-EU carrier departing from Warsaw, Kraków, Gdańsk, Wrocław, or Poznań.
Flights arriving into an EU airport operated by an EU-based airline.

Not covered:

Flights arriving into the EU operated by non-EU airlines (e.g. a Turkish Airlines flight arriving at Warsaw from Istanbul).

What You’re Entitled To

During a Delay (Right to Care)

If your departure is delayed by 2 or more hours, the airline must provide meals and refreshments proportionate to the waiting time, and means of communication (e.g. 2 free phone calls or emails). For delays exceeding 5 hours, you are entitled to a full refund of your ticket and a return flight to your original departure point if the journey is no longer serving its purpose.

Compensation for Late Arrival (3+ Hours)

If you arrive at your final destination 3 or more hours later than scheduled, you may claim:

Flight distance	Compensation amount
Up to 1,500 km	€250 per passenger
1,500–3,500 km	€400 per passenger
Over 3,500 km	€600 per passenger

This compensation can be reduced by 50% if the airline offers re-routing and you arrive within a defined time window of the original arrival.

Cancellations

For cancellations, airlines must offer either a full refund or re-routing on the next available flight. Compensation at the same rates as above applies unless the cancellation was notified more than 14 days in advance or falls under genuine extraordinary circumstances.

LOT Polish Airlines Claims

LOT is Poland’s national carrier and one of the more frequently delayed airlines on European routes during peak season. LOT operates its own claims process via its website, but the response time can be slow and initial refusals are common. If LOT rejects your claim citing extraordinary circumstances, a claims service with experience challenging EU carrier responses is often more effective than pursuing the claim independently.

How Claims Services Work

Services like AirHelp operate on a no-win-no-fee basis. You provide your flight details, they assess eligibility, file the claim with the airline (and pursue enforcement if needed), and take a commission only if they succeed — typically around 25–35% of the compensation amount.

The advantage is that they know which airline arguments are legally unsound and have the resources to pursue claims through enforcement bodies or courts. For a €250 or €400 claim, most travellers find this more practical than pursuing the airline themselves.

What you’ll need to file a claim:

Your booking reference and travel dates
Proof of the delay or cancellation (boarding pass, airline notification, or arrival time screenshot)
Bank details for the transfer

Compensation is paid in euros; if you hold a PLN account, your bank will convert at the prevailing rate.

A Note on “Extraordinary Circumstances”

Airlines routinely refuse EU261 claims by citing extraordinary circumstances. Technical faults — including mechanical defects — are not considered extraordinary under EU law and cannot be used to avoid compensation. Legitimate extraordinary circumstances include genuine air traffic control strikes, severe weather that makes flying unsafe, and security incidents.

If an airline rejects your claim on extraordinary circumstances grounds, that rejection is often challengeable. Claims services check this routinely; it’s one of the main reasons using a specialist service pays off.

For more on practical travel in Poland, including airport transfer options and flight booking, see our practical Poland guides.