Aer Lingus compensation: how to claim
Aer Lingus is registered in Ireland, so it counts as an EU carrier and its flights are covered in both directions.
- Registered in
- Ireland (EU carrier)
- Main bases
- Dublin (DUB), Cork (ORK), Shannon (SNN), Manchester (MAN)
- Typical first response
- About 30 days
- Time limit where it is based
- 6 years (Ireland)
Aer Lingus is registered in Ireland, so it counts as an EU carrier and its flights are covered in both directions.
- Departing an EU airport: covered by EU261.
- Departing a UK airport: covered by UK261.
- Arriving in the EU from outside Europe: covered by EU261, because Aer Lingus is an EU carrier.
- Arriving in the UK from outside Europe: covered by UK261, which also protects arrivals on EU carriers.
How Aer Lingus handles claims
Aer Lingus is an Irish carrier, so its transatlantic flights INTO Dublin or Shannon from the United States are covered by EU261 even though they start outside Europe. Passengers frequently do not realise this and never claim.
Ireland allows six years to bring a claim, which is one of the longest windows in Europe. An Aer Lingus flight from 2021 may well still be live.
They operate a dedicated EU261 form and will usually acknowledge within a few days, with the substantive answer taking around a month.
Where a transatlantic flight is delayed by a technical issue in Dublin, expect a rejection citing an unforeseen technical fault. That argument was closed off by van der Lans in 2015.
What a delay on Aer Lingus is worth
| Route | Distance | Rules | Per passenger |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dublin (DUB) → Cork (ORK) | 231 km | EU261 | €250 |
| Dublin (DUB) → Shannon (SNN) | 195 km | EU261 | €250 |
| Dublin (DUB) → Manchester (MAN) | 265 km | EU261 | €250 |
| Dublin (DUB) → Paris (CDG) | 785 km | EU261 | €250 |
Amounts are per passenger. The distance is the great-circle distance between the airports, which is what the Regulation uses — not the distance flown.
Claiming from Aer Lingus, by what happened
- Aer Lingus: delayCompensation is due when you arrive at your final destination 3 hours or more after the scheduled arrival time.
- Aer Lingus: cancellationCompensation is due unless you were told at least 14 days before departure, or were told later but re-routed on a flight that fell inside the timing windows set by Article 5(1)(c).
- Aer Lingus: denied boardingCompensation is due immediately when you are refused boarding against your will — most often because the flight was overbooked — provided you checked in on time with a confirmed reservation.
- Aer Lingus: missed connectionWhere all your flights were on a single booking, a delay that makes you miss a connection is measured at your final destination.
We draft. You send.
The check is free. If your Aer Lingus flight appears eligible, the claim letter is £15 flat — you send it to Aer Lingus yourself and keep the whole payout. If the airline rejects your claim on eligibility grounds, we refund the £15. Forward us their reply and we refund within five working days.
Aer Lingus: common questions
How much compensation can I get from Aer Lingus?
It depends on the distance and on which rules apply. Under EU261 it is €250, €400 or €600 per passenger; under UK261 it is £220, £350 or £520. Aer Lingus is registered in Ireland, so it counts as an EU carrier and its flights are covered in both directions.
Does Aer Lingus have to pay if the delay was caused by a technical problem?
Yes, in almost every case. The Court of Justice has held that technical problems — including sudden, unforeseen faults — are part of the normal running of an airline and are not extraordinary circumstances.
How long do I have to claim against Aer Lingus?
In Ireland, where Aer Lingus is based, the limit is 6 years, counted from the date of the flight. You can usually also claim where your flight departed or arrived, which may give you longer — for example six years in England and Wales.
Where do I send a claim to Aer Lingus?
Aer Lingus takes claims through an online form, and the postal address is Aer Lingus, Customer Care, Dublin Airport, Cloghran, Co. Dublin, K67 E2H1, Ireland. Check the address on the airline’s website before posting — claims departments move.
Can I claim for an old Aer Lingus flight?
Very often, yes. Most people do not realise claims last several years. Every disrupted flight is a separate claim, for every passenger on the booking.