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- Type
- Flight claim service
- Founded
- 2013, Berlin
- Fee
- Success fee (about 35%, third-party sources)
- Rule
- EU261 and similar
AirHelp is a reasonable pick for a delayed or cancelled flight to or from Slovakia if you would rather hand the claim to a specialist than write to the airline yourself. It checks eligibility for free and charges a success fee only when you are paid. Taply has not made a claim through AirHelp; this review is based on AirHelp's public information and third-party reviews.
The trade-off is the fee. You can file directly with the airline for nothing, so this page covers when a service is worth the cut.
Top picks at a glance
Key takeaways
- AirHelp was founded in 2013 in Berlin and works on a no-win, no-fee basis.
- Third-party reviews quote a 35% fee, rising to 50% if legal action is needed. Confirm on its site.
- EU261 can mean 250, 400 or 600 euros per passenger depending on distance, if conditions apply.
- You can claim directly from the airline for free.
AirHelp and alternatives for flight claims, ranked
-
Our top pick1
AirHelp
Reviewed hereBest for: Travellers who want a hands-off claim
AirHelp checks whether your delay, cancellation or denied boarding qualifies and then pursues the airline. It works under EU Regulation 261/2004 and similar rules. The eligibility check is free.
Check your claim with AirHelp- Free eligibility check
- No win, no fee
- Handles escalation to court if needed
- Success fee reduces your payout
- Legal route has a higher fee
- Takes weeks or months
-
2
Compensair
Lower stated feeBest for: Claimants comparing fees
Compensair is another no-win, no-fee claim service. Third-party sources quote a standard 30% fee, with an extra 10% if legal action is needed. Confirm on its site.
Check your claim with Compensair- Free eligibility check
- Lower quoted fee
- Success fee still applies
-
3
Claim directly from the airline
No feeBest for: Confident claimants with a straightforward case
You can write to the airline yourself, using its claim form, and keep the full amount. If refused, you can go to a national enforcement body or court.
- No fee
- You keep the full amount
- Time and paperwork
- Airlines may refuse or delay
-
4
National enforcement body
Free escalationBest for: After an airline refusal
Each EU country has a body that handles passenger complaints about air travel. It is a free route if the airline rejects your claim.
- Free
- Slow
- Not binding in every case
What AirHelp is
AirHelp was founded in January 2013 by Henrik Zillmer and is based in Berlin, according to Wikipedia. It says it uses data and legal teams to pursue airlines, and it has expanded beyond the EU to other markets. It also sells AirHelp+, a paid membership, which is a separate product from a one-off claim.
How a claim works
- Enter flight number, date and what went wrong.
- AirHelp checks eligibility under EU261 or similar rules.
- If eligible, you authorise it to act for you.
- It contacts the airline, and escalates if needed.
- If successful, it deducts its fee and pays you the rest.
Under EU261, a delay of three hours or more at arrival, a cancellation without enough notice, or denied boarding can qualify, unless the airline shows extraordinary circumstances such as severe weather. See flight delay compensation for the rules in plain language.
Fees and money
AirHelp's basic service is no win, no fee. Third-party reviews quote 35% of the compensation, and 50% if its lawyers must take the case to court. That means on a 250 euro claim you would keep about 162 euros at 35%. Check the current figure on the claim form before you sign. Compare the fee with doing it yourself: our guides on Ryanair and Wizz Air claims show the direct route.
What users commonly say
At the time of writing, AirHelp has a large number of reviews on Trustpilot, which is a strong signal of volume, and many are positive about the simple process. Common complaints in public reviews are about the size of the fee, slow cases and claims being rejected. Check the current rating and recent comments before you decide.
Who AirHelp suits at Slovak airports
It suits travellers flying from Bratislava, Košice, Poprad or Vienna who do not want to chase an airline. Vienna matters here because many Slovakia visitors fly via Austria; see what to do if your flight is cancelled in Vienna and a delayed flight in Bratislava. It is less attractive for small, simple claims where you could file directly. Keep boarding passes, delay proof and any receipts. For a side by side view, see AirHelp vs Compensair.
Slovakia pages where AirHelp is our pick
AirHelp appears on flight delay compensation, flight delayed in Bratislava, flight cancelled at Vienna Airport, cheap flights to Slovakia and flights to Poprad-Tatry.
Frequently asked questions
Is AirHelp legit?
AirHelp is an established claims company founded in 2013 and based in Berlin. It works on a no-win, no-fee basis, and you should read the fee terms before signing.
How much does AirHelp charge?
Third-party reviews quote 35% of the compensation, or 50% if legal action is needed. Check the current fee on its site.
How much compensation can I get under EU261?
The amounts are 250, 400 or 600 euros per passenger, depending on flight distance, if the delay or cancellation qualifies.
Can I claim without AirHelp?
Yes. You can write to the airline directly and keep the full amount.
How long does an AirHelp claim take?
It varies. Simple claims may be paid in weeks, while disputed ones can take months.
Photo: Vienna International Airport · Hansueli Krapf This file was uploaded with Commonist. · CC BY-SA 3.0
