How Long Does Flight Compensation Take? Realistic Timelines
One of the most common questions about flight compensation is how long it takes. The answer depends on whether you are claiming a DOT refund, EU261 compensation, or using a claims service. Here are realistic timelines for each.
DOT Refund Timeline
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Credit card refunds: Airlines must process within 7 business days.
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Other payment methods: Within 20 calendar days.
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If the airline misses the deadline: The delay itself is a DOT violation. File a complaint at transportation.gov/airconsumer.
DOT refunds should be the fastest. If an airline takes longer than 7 business days for a credit card refund, they are already in violation. Include the deadline violation in your DOT complaint.
EU261 Compensation Timeline
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Airline response: Typically 4 to 8 weeks from your claim submission.
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If rejected + NEB escalation: Add another 8 to 16 weeks for the enforcement body to process.
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If taken to court: Can take 6 to 12 months depending on the jurisdiction.
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Total end-to-end (smooth claim): 6 to 12 weeks.
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Total end-to-end (contested claim): 4 to 12 months.
For the EU261 claims process, see our step-by-step guide. For claim templates, read our EU261 letter guide. For EU261 rights, see our rights page.
Claims Service Timeline
Claims services like TravelStacks handle the process for you. Typical timelines are 8 to 16 weeks for straightforward claims and 4 to 8 months for claims that require escalation or legal proceedings. The advantage is that the service handles all communication and escalation.
Check your flight for eligibility and get started. For how TravelStacks compares to other services, see our comparison guides. For the DOT refund process, see our walkthrough.