Flight Delay Compensation Checker for Thai Passengers
A quick decision tree for Thai passengers asking: “Is my delayed or cancelled flight eligible for statutory compensation?” Use the matrix below before committing time to a claim — or use AirHelp’s free eligibility checker if your case is non-obvious.
TL;DR: Three regulatory frameworks matter for flights involving Thailand: EU261 / UK261 (EU/UK carriers, including BKK-FRA on Lufthansa, BKK-LHR on BA), Saudi GACA (Saudia, Flynas long-haul), and right-to-care (UAE GCAA, Qatar QCAA — no fixed compensation). Compensation under EU261 / UK261 is up to €600 / £520 per passenger on long-haul 4+ hour delays. GACA pays SAR 2,500 on long-haul. Run through the matrix below; if the answer is “covered,” file directly with the airline or use AirHelp.
Step 1 — Was the disruption 3+ hours or more?
- Delay 0–2 hours: No statutory compensation. Right to care kicks in at 2 hours under most frameworks (water, food on long delays).
- Delay 2–3 hours: Right to care (meals, refreshments). No EU261 yet.
- Delay 3+ hours: Potential compensation depending on operating carrier (see Step 2).
- Cancellation with <14 days notice: Potential compensation regardless of subsequent delay.
- Involuntary denied boarding (overbooking): Potential compensation.
- Voluntary surrender of seat for goodwill: Not compensation-eligible; you accepted a private agreement.
Step 2 — Who operates the flight?
Identify the operating carrier from your boarding pass — this is the airline whose code is the flight number (e.g., LH773, not the codeshare TG-marketed segment).
| Operating carrier | Framework | Long-haul 4+ hr delay |
|---|---|---|
| Lufthansa, KLM, Air France, Iberia, Swiss, Austrian, Finnair, LOT, TAP, SAS, Brussels, ITA | EU261 | €600 |
| British Airways, Virgin Atlantic | UK261 | £520 |
| Saudia, Flynas, Flyadeal | Saudi GACA | SAR 2,500 (~THB 22,000) |
| Emirates, Etihad | UAE GCAA | Right to care + refund; no fixed compensation |
| Qatar Airways | Qatar QCAA | Right to care + refund; no fixed compensation |
| Turkish Airlines | SHGM (Turkey) | Limited statutory; fewer fixed amounts |
| Cathay, SQ, ANA, JAL, KE, CI | Local frameworks | Right to care; no EU261-equivalent |
| Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Air Asia, Nok, Thai Vietjet | CAAT Thailand | Right to care + refund; limited fixed compensation |
Step 3 — Was the cause within the carrier’s control?
Compensable causes:
- Technical fault discovered at the gate (most cases — ECJ ruling C-549/07 sets a high bar)
- Crew shortage or sickness
- Operational scheduling
- Connecting-aircraft late arrival from a previous within-carrier-control delay
NOT compensable (“extraordinary circumstances”):
- Severe weather (thunderstorm, snow, fog beyond operating minima)
- Air-traffic-control industrial action
- Security threats (bomb scare, restricted-area incursion)
- Bird strike during taxi or in-flight
- Political instability or government restriction
Disputed:
- Late-aircraft cascade from an earlier “extraordinary” event: ECJ has held that the cascade itself may still be compensable if the carrier had reasonable time to source a replacement.
- “Technical fault” claimed by carrier as extraordinary: ECJ holds most technical faults are not extraordinary unless caused by an unforeseen external event (e.g. sabotage). Carrier-burden-of-proof.
Step 4 — Are you within the limitation period?
- EU261: 2-6 years depending on member state of departure or arrival airline domicile.
- Germany 3 years, France 5 years, Netherlands 2 years, Spain 5 years, Italy 2 years.
- Safe assumption: 2 years from flight date.
- UK261: 6 years in England/Wales; 5 years in Scotland.
- Saudi GACA: 1-3 years under Saudi civil law. Safe assumption: 1 year.
- UAE GCAA: 1 year under UAE civil law for contract claims.
Step 5 — File direct or use AirHelp?
File direct when: the case is straightforward (clear technical fault admitted by carrier, fluent in carrier-portal language), you can wait 30-90 days, and you want to keep 100% of the compensation.
Use AirHelp when: the carrier is disputing the cause, you are in Thailand and managing EU/Saudi escalation remotely is difficult, or the case requires legal representation in an EU/UK court.
AirHelp charges 25-35% on successful claims only. No upfront cost. Free eligibility checker filters out non-qualifying cases.
Step 6 — What you need before filing
- Boarding pass (photo on the day)
- Booking reference / PNR
- Photograph of departure-gate display showing the delay and reason if visible
- Written or photographed evidence of cause from gate staff if available
- Receipts during the delay (meals, hotel, transport)
- Written rebooking confirmation if rebooked
- Clear timeline of departure, expected arrival, actual arrival
Decision summary by common Thai itinerary
| Itinerary | Framework | If 4+ hr delay due to technical fault |
|---|---|---|
| BKK → FRA / MUC on Lufthansa | EU261 | €600 per passenger |
| BKK → AMS on KLM | EU261 | €600 per passenger |
| BKK → CDG on Air France | EU261 | €600 per passenger |
| BKK → LHR on British Airways or Virgin | UK261 | £520 per passenger |
| BKK → DXB on Emirates | UAE GCAA | Right to care + refund only |
| BKK → DOH on Qatar Airways | Qatar QCAA | Right to care + refund only |
| BKK → RUH / JED on Saudia | GACA | SAR 2,500 (~THB 22,000) per passenger |
| BKK → IST on Turkish | SHGM | Limited statutory; case-by-case |
| BKK → SIN / HKG on local carriers | Local | Right to care; no fixed compensation |
| BKK → SYD / MEL on Thai or local | Australian ACCC + carrier policy | Refund + rebooking; case-by-case damages |
Editorial note. SiamFlights is an editorial site; the matrix above is informational, not legal advice. The thresholds, distances, and amounts cited are from primary regulator sources (eur-lex.europa.eu, gov.uk/air-passenger-rights, gaca.gov.sa, gcaa.gov.ae). AirHelp’s commercial pages are consulted but not primary; per our two-source rule, every statutory amount above is verified against the regulator’s published text.