Claiming for Groups, Families, and Multiple Passengers

One of the most frequently overlooked aspects of EC261 is that compensation is calculated per passenger, not per booking. This means a disrupted flight affects not just the lead booker, but every person on the reservation. For families, couples, and groups travelling together, the total claim can be substantial, and every named passenger is entitled to their full individual amount.

Per person, always

The arithmetic is straightforward but the totals can be surprising. A family of four on a cancelled medium-haul flight is not entitled to €400 between them. They are entitled to €400 each, a total of €1,600. A group of six friends delayed on a long-haul flight has a collective claim of €3,600. There is no cap, no reduction for group size, and no requirement that passengers claim individually.

Children and infants

Children who have their own seat, regardless of whether they paid full price, a child fare, or a discounted rate, are entitled to the same compensation as adults. There is no reduced rate for minors under EC261. A two-year-old who paid a child fare and occupied a seat gets the same €400 as the adult next to them.

The exception is infants travelling on a parent's lap. Babies under two who did not occupy their own seat and travelled free or for a nominal fee generally do not have a separate claim. The rationale is that they did not hold an independent reservation for a seat on the aircraft.

Who submits the claim?

For families and groups, one person can submit a single claim on behalf of all passengers on the booking. You do not need to file separate claims for each individual. However, the claim should list all passengers by name and make clear that compensation is being sought for each of them.

Some airlines make this easy with online forms that allow you to add multiple passengers. Others may require separate submissions per passenger, sometimes requesting signed authorization from each individual. In either case, the entitlement is the same: full compensation for every named passenger on the affected booking.

Practical considerations

When submitting a group claim, ensure you include the names and dates of birth for all passengers, specify the total compensation being claimed (showing the per-person calculation), and provide payment details for where the combined amount should be sent. If the airline pays into a single account, that is fine. You can distribute the funds among the group members yourselves.