Claim process2 min readApr 25, 2026

How to file an airline compensation claim after a delay or cancellation

A strong claim is not long. It is precise: flight, date, route, what happened, what you request, and the evidence.

Start with the core flight facts

Before submitting a claim, prepare the flight number, travel date, departure airport, arrival airport, booking reference, and a short description of the disruption. For connecting journeys, include the final destination on the booking.

The airline needs enough detail to identify the flight and understand the claim. Long emotional explanations rarely help more than precise facts.

  • flight number and date
  • route and final destination
  • booking reference or ticket number
  • actual arrival time or replacement itinerary

State what you are asking for

If you are requesting fixed compensation for delay, cancellation, or denied boarding, say so clearly. If you are also asking for ticket reimbursement or expense reimbursement, separate those requests.

Refunds, vouchers, hotel costs, and fixed compensation are different categories. A clean claim keeps them separate.

Use the official airline channel

Most airlines provide a complaint form or claim portal. After submitting, save the confirmation and reference number. Without a reference number, it is harder to prove the complaint was properly filed.

If you use email, save the sent message and any automatic confirmation.

Track the response window

For Serbia-related handling, airline complaint practice is commonly described around a 60-day response window once complete documentation is submitted. If there is no answer or the rejection is poorly explained, a regulator complaint or legal review may be the next step.

letkasni.rs can help by checking whether the claim is realistic before or after the airline response.

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