How to Write a Flight Compensation Claim Letter That Gets Paid
A compensation claim isn't a complaint — it's a legal demand. The letters that get paid share the same anatomy: cold facts, the correct regulation cited by name, a specific amount, and a deadline. Here's how to write one.
What to include
- Your details: full name, booking reference, contact email.
- The flight: flight number, date, route. State the scheduled vs actual arrival times.
- The regulation: cite it precisely — "Under Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No 261/2004..." for EU claims, or the DOT rule / 14 CFR 250 for US claims. Precision signals you know what you're doing.
- The amount: state the exact figure (€400, not "compensation"). Show you did the math.
- What you want: payment to your bank account (include IBAN) or original payment method — not a voucher.
- A deadline: 14 days is standard. "If I do not receive payment within 14 days, I will escalate to [National Enforcement Body]."
What to leave out
- Anger and insults. A regulator may read this. Cold wins.
- Your life story. Nobody at the airline cares about your ruined holiday. Facts only.
- Threats you won't follow through on. Threaten only the next escalation step, and mean it.
- Accepting a voucher in the letter. State cash explicitly.
The honest part: the first letter gets rejected more often than not — that's the airline's filter, not a verdict on your claim. The second letter, addressing their rejection specifically, is where most claims get paid. Budget for two rounds.
Skip the blank page
Our $29 Claim Kit generates this letter for you — your flight details filled in, the correct regulation cited, the amount calculated, the escalation deadline set. Check your eligibility free, then generate the letter →