What Documents Do You Need to File a Flight Compensation Claim?
A well-documented claim succeeds more often and faster. Here is the complete checklist of documents for DOT refund claims and EU261 compensation claims, including what to do when you are missing key pieces.
Essential Documents
- ›
Booking confirmation: Shows your name, flight details, booking reference, and payment amount.
- ›
Boarding pass: Physical or digital. Proves you were checked in for the flight.
- ›
Delay or cancellation notification: The email, SMS, or app notification from the airline.
- ›
Flight tracking evidence: Screenshot from FlightAware or similar showing actual vs. scheduled times.
- ›
Expense receipts: For meals, hotel, transport, or other costs incurred during the disruption.
- ›
Bank details: IBAN for EU claims, or routing/account number for US claims.
You do not need every document to file. A booking confirmation and evidence of the delay are the minimum. Airlines can look up your booking with your name and travel date. Flight tracking sites verify delays independently.
Additional Documents for Specific Claims
- ›
Denied boarding: Written statement of rights from the airline (they are required to provide one), gate agent name or badge number.
- ›
Lost baggage: Property Irregularity Report (PIR) from the airport, itemized list of bag contents with values.
- ›
Class downgrade: Original boarding pass showing the higher class, new boarding pass showing the downgrade.
- ›
EU261 template letter: A formal claim letter citing the regulation. See our claim template.
What to Do If Documents Are Missing
Missing your boarding pass? Check your email for the check-in confirmation. Lost your booking? Search email for the original purchase confirmation, or check your credit card statement. Cannot prove the delay? Use FlightAware or FlightRadar24 historical data.
Airlines maintain records of every booking and flight. When you file a claim, they can verify your booking and the delay details. You do not need to provide proof the airline already has. For the full claims process, see our step-by-step guide. For your DOT rights or EU261 rights, see our rights guides. Check your eligibility in 30 seconds.