In short: Aer Lingus says you may be eligible if you were denied boarding, or your flight was cancelled or arrived more than 3 hours late, for reasons within the airline's control. Use the Flight Disruption Compensation Claim Form (booking reference, all flights, contact and bank details, letter of authorisation if claiming for others) and the separate expenses form for meals, hotels and transport. Compensation: €250 / €400 / €600 (EU261) or £220 / £350 / £520 (UK261). If refused, complain to the IAA (flights from Ireland) or the CAA (flights from Great Britain).
Check your claim first
Aer Lingus's EU261 page says you may be eligible for compensation or expenses if you are denied boarding, or your flight is cancelled or delayed more than 3 hours on arrival, for reasons within the airline's control. In practice:
| Distance | Delay at arrival | EU261 | UK261 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 1,500 km (e.g. Dublin–Heathrow) | 3 h+ | €250 | £220 |
| 1,500–3,500 km (e.g. Dublin–Alicante, about 1,740 km) | 3 h+ | €400 | £350 |
| Over 3,500 km (e.g. Dublin–Boston, about 4,800 km) | 3–4 h | €300 | £260 |
| Over 3,500 km | 4 h+ | €600 | £520 |
The delay is measured at your final destination. If you missed an Aer Lingus connection in Dublin on a single booking, the whole journey counts – see missed connections. Not sure about the distance? Use the flight distance calculator.
Which Aer Lingus form to use
| You want | Form (from aerlingus.com) |
|---|---|
| Fixed EU261/UK261 compensation for delay, cancellation or denied boarding | Flight Disruption Compensation Claim Form |
| Hotel, meals or transport costs you paid during the disruption | Flight disruption expenses form ("Claim Expenses") |
| Compensation or costs for a group booking | Group booking claim forms on the EU Regulation 261 page |
| Ticket money back for a cancelled flight you did not take | Disrupted Flight Refunds (voucher or cash) – see refunds |
| Delayed or damaged baggage | Baggage Claim Form – see baggage |
All of these are listed on Aer Lingus's Requests and Enquiries page. Compensation and expenses are separate rights, so you can use both forms for the same flight.
Filling in the compensation form
The form starts with your booking reference and family name. Aer Lingus asks you to enter your name exactly as it appears on the booking, and to have ready:
- your booking reference;
- details of all flights you are claiming for (on a connecting journey, include every leg);
- your name and contact details;
- bank account details for payment;
- a letter of authorisation if you are claiming on someone else's behalf.
Aer Lingus notes that if you have already submitted a request, there is no need to submit a new one – it is processing existing claims. Keep a record of what you sent. A short written statement of the facts and the legal basis helps if you need to escalate: use our complaint letter template.
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Common reasons for refusal
- "Extraordinary circumstances" – weather or air traffic control. These can be valid, but only if they affected your flight. Ask for specifics. See weather and ATC.
- Industrial action. A strike by the airline's own staff is generally not extraordinary (CJEU, C-28/20 Airhelp v SAS); strikes by air traffic controllers or airport staff usually are. See strikes.
- Technical faults and crew shortages are normally within the airline's control – see technical faults and crew shortages.
- "Claim the operating airline." For Aer Lingus Regional, the operating carrier is Emerald Airlines; for codeshare flights operated by a partner, claim that partner.
- "Delay under 3 hours." The arrival time is when the doors opened at your final destination.
Escalating: IAA, CAA, Consumer Council and court
Which body takes your complaint depends on where the flight departed:
| Flight departed from | Complain to |
|---|---|
| Ireland | Irish Aviation Authority – register on its MySRS customer platform |
| England, Scotland or Wales | CAA Passenger Advice and Complaints Team (Aer Lingus is not in an approved ADR scheme on the CAA's list) |
| Northern Ireland (or flights to it) | Consumer Council for Northern Ireland |
| Another EU country | That country's enforcement body |
The IAA example on its own site: a delayed Málaga–Dublin flight is a matter for the Spanish authority, AESA, because it departed Spain. Step-by-step guides: Ireland and Northern Ireland, CAA complaint, national enforcement bodies. Before court, send a letter before action. Time limit: 6 years in Ireland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland; Scotland: 5 years.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Aer Lingus EU261 claim form?
On aerlingus.com: the EU Regulation 261 page (under Legal) and the Requests and Enquiries page both link to the Flight Disruption Compensation Claim Form and the separate expenses form.
What do I need to claim from Aer Lingus?
Your booking reference, details of all the flights you are claiming for, your name and contact details, bank details, and a letter of authorisation if you claim for someone else. Enter your name exactly as on the booking.
Can I claim expenses and compensation from Aer Lingus?
Yes. They are separate rights with separate forms: compensation is a fixed sum, while expenses cover reasonable costs of meals, accommodation and transport that the airline should have provided.
How long do I have to claim against Aer Lingus?
Limitation is set by national law: 6 years in Ireland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and 5 years in Scotland. Claim as soon as you can.
The Aer Lingus name belongs to its owner; EU261 Flight Delay is an independent information site and is not affiliated with Aer Lingus. Information only, not legal advice.
Sources
- EU Regulation 261/2004 – Aer Lingus
- Flight Disruption Compensation Claim Form – Aer Lingus
- Requests and Enquiries – Aer Lingus
- Air Passenger Rights – Irish Aviation Authority
- How the CAA can help – UK Civil Aviation Authority
- Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) – UK Civil Aviation Authority
- Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 (UK version), Article 7 – legislation.gov.uk
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