# Flight Delay Compensation Checker — Thai Passengers 2026

Source: https://siamflights.com/tools/flight-delay-compensation-checker-thailand/
Last updated: 2026-06-03
Tags: flight-compensation-checker, eu261-calculator, uk261, gaca, tools

> Free flight-delay compensation eligibility check for Thai passengers 2026. Covers EU261, UK261, Saudi GACA, US DOT

## 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 |

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**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.