easyJet
U2 / EZY · GB
About easyJet
easyJet is one of Europe's largest low-cost carriers and the second-largest airline in the UK by passenger numbers. Founded in 1995 and headquartered at London Luton Airport (LTN), easyJet operates from a network of bases across Europe - with major operations at Luton, Gatwick (LGW), Bristol (BRS), Manchester (MAN), and continental bases in Geneva, Milan Malpensa, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Berlin, and Amsterdam. The airline carries approximately 100 million passengers per year and serves more than 150 destinations.
EC261 Legal Status - easyJet
easyJet's legal status depends on the operating carrier. easyJet Europe (registered in Austria) is an EU carrier - EC261 applies to all its flights worldwide. easyJet UK is a UK carrier - EC261 applies to flights departing EU airports, and UK261 applies to flights departing UK airports. Check your boarding pass for the operating carrier. The NEB for easyJet UK is the CAA (UK). For easyJet Europe, it is the APF (Austria). The UK limitation period is 6 years.
€250 - €600
Compensation is determined by flight distance. easyJet primarily operates short and medium-haul routes across Europe.
- LGW → AMS Amsterdam (390 km): €250
- LGW → PMI Palma de Mallorca (1,345 km): €250
- LGW → TFS Tenerife South (2,935 km): €400
- LTN → AGP Málaga (1,687 km): €400
The fleet consists entirely of Airbus A319, A320, and A321neo aircraft. easyJet operates a hybrid corporate structure: the parent company easyJet plc is UK-registered, while easyJet Europe (registered in Austria) operates many EU routes to maintain EU operating rights after Brexit. This distinction matters for EC261 purposes, as the operating carrier on your boarding pass determines which legal framework applies.
easyJet's punctuality is affected by its high aircraft utilisation model and the congestion at its primary bases. Gatwick and Luton are particularly prone to delays during peak summer months. The airline has experienced significant crew scheduling challenges in recent years, leading to cancellations that are clearly within the airline's control and therefore compensable under EC261.
Not every disruption qualifies for compensation. Understanding the most common causes can help you assess whether your delay was within the airline's control.
Common Causes
Why easyJet Flights Get Disrupted
- Crew scheduling and rostering failures - easyJet has cancelled flights due to insufficient cabin crew or pilot availability
- Late incoming aircraft causing knock-on delays across multiple routes throughout the day
- Technical faults and unscheduled maintenance groundings on A320 family aircraft
- Airport congestion at Gatwick, Luton, and other busy bases during summer peak season
- ATC restrictions across European airspace, particularly during French controller strike actions
How to Claim Directly from easyJet
easyJet provides a dedicated EU261 claims form on its website. Before submitting, gather your booking confirmation, boarding pass, and any notifications from easyJet about the disruption (emails, SMS messages, or app notifications). If you photographed the departure or arrivals board showing the delay, this is useful supporting evidence.
DIY Process
How to Claim Directly from easyJet
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1
Gather your booking reference, boarding pass, and any evidence of the disruption (easyJet notifications, flight tracker data)
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2
Submit your claim via the easyJet EU261 form at easyjet.com/claim/en/eu261
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3
Wait up to 28 days for easyJet to review and respond to your claim
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4
If rejected, check whether the stated reason genuinely qualifies as extraordinary circumstances
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5
Escalate to the CAA (UK departures) or APF/relevant NEB (EU departures) if easyJet refuses to pay
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6
Consider CEDR dispute resolution (UK) or small claims court as further options
Submit your claim through the easyJet EU261 claims page. The form asks for your flight details, passenger information, and a description of the disruption. easyJet typically responds within 28 days. The airline is moderately cooperative on straightforward claims but does cite extraordinary circumstances for ATC and weather-related delays. Crew shortages and technical faults - which easyJet has experienced frequently - are generally not valid extraordinary circumstances and should be challenged if cited as a reason for rejection.
easyJet flight disrupted?
Check your eligibility and claim up to €600 in compensation.
Passenger
J. SMITH
Flight
BA 2761
LHR
London
BCN
Barcelona
STATUS
3H DELAYPassenger
M. JOHNSON
Flight
KL 1009
AMS
Amsterdam
FCO
Rome
STATUS
CANCELLEDIf easyJet rejects your claim, the escalation route depends on which easyJet entity operated your flight. For easyJet UK flights departing from the UK, escalate to the CAA and consider the CEDR alternative dispute resolution scheme. For easyJet Europe flights, escalate to the APF (Agentur fuer Passagier- und Fahrgastrechte) in Austria, or the NEB in your departure country. Under UK law, you have 6 years to bring a claim; under Austrian law, 3 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to the most common questions about claiming EC261 compensation.
Does Brexit affect my easyJet compensation rights?
No. If your flight departed from a UK airport, UK261 applies - providing identical compensation rights and amounts as EC261. If your flight departed from an EU airport, EC261 applies regardless of whether the operating carrier was easyJet UK or easyJet Europe. The key factor is the airport of departure and the operating carrier on your boarding pass, not your nationality or where you booked.
How do I know if my flight was easyJet UK or easyJet Europe?
Check the operating carrier on your boarding pass or booking confirmation. easyJet Europe flights are typically identified by the ICAO code EJU, while easyJet UK uses EZY. In practice, most flights departing from EU airports are operated by easyJet Europe (Austrian AOC), while UK departures are primarily easyJet UK. The distinction affects which NEB you escalate to, but your compensation rights are the same either way.
easyJet cancelled my flight and offered a voucher - do I still get compensation?
A voucher or rebooking does not replace your right to EC261 compensation. If your flight was cancelled with fewer than 14 days' notice and no suitable alternative was offered, or if the alternative got you to your destination more than 3 hours late, you are entitled to compensation in addition to any rebooking, refund, or voucher. These are separate rights under EC261. Do not let easyJet suggest that a rebooking satisfies your compensation entitlement.
Contact for Claims
Online Claim Form
www.easyjet.comCivil Aviation Authority (CAA UK)
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Check Your Compensation
Enter your flight details to see if you qualify for up to €600 per person.