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- Cost to start
- Free check, no win no fee
- AirHelp fee
- Reported around 35% incl. VAT
- Compensair fee
- Reported around 25% incl. VAT
- Claim directly
- No fee at all
For most claims Compensair is the better first choice because its reported fee is lower, and AirHelp is the stronger pick if you value a larger, long-established service. Both check your flight for free and charge only if you win, so the fee is the main difference on paper.
Fees come from third-party reviews and change, so confirm them on each site. Neither service can change the underlying rules: whether you get paid depends on EU261 and the cause of the delay.
Top picks at a glance
Key takeaways
- Both services work on a no win, no fee basis.
- Reported fees: roughly 35% for AirHelp and 25% for Compensair including VAT.
- Fees can be higher if a case goes to court.
- You can also claim directly from the airline at no cost.
- Check each service's terms on the day you sign up.
AirHelp vs Compensair vs claiming directly, ranked
-
Our top pick1
Compensair
Best on feeBest for: Keeping more of the payout
Compensair has a lower reported fee, which leaves you more of the payout. It checks eligibility for free and handles the claim.
Check your claim with Compensair- Free eligibility check
- No upfront cost
- Reported lower fee than some rivals
- Keeps a share of the payout
- Check current terms and fee
-
2
AirHelp
Best knownBest for: People who want it fully handled
AirHelp is a large and well-known service. Its reported fee is higher, so compare what you keep before choosing.
Check your claim with AirHelp- Free eligibility check
- Handles airline contact and legal steps
- Fee only if the claim succeeds
- Keeps a share of the payout
- Cases can take months
-
3
Claim directly from the airline
CheapestBest for: Clear-cut cases
If your case is simple, filing yourself keeps 100% of the payout. The trade-off is time and follow-up.
- No fee
- You keep the full amount
- Airlines may reject or stall
- You handle every follow-up
-
4
Slovak Trade Inspection (SOI)
EscalationBest for: Refused claims on Slovak departures
If an airline refuses a valid claim for a flight departing from Slovakia, the Slovak Trade Inspection is listed as the body that handles passenger complaints under Regulation 261/2004. It is free but can be slow.
Official website- Free
- Official route
- Slow
- Not a payout service
How both services work
You enter your flight details. The service checks whether EU261 applies, and if so asks for authority to act for you. It then deals with the airline and, if needed, escalates to the national enforcement body or court. If the claim fails, you pay nothing.
Side by side
| Point | Compensair | AirHelp |
|---|---|---|
| Standard fee | Reported 25% | Reported 35% |
| If legal action is needed | Reported at no extra cost to you | Reported fee rises to 50% |
| Trustpilot score at the time of writing | 4.5 of 5 | 4.7 of 5, per a third-party review |
| Typical timing | Varies, some cases take up to about two years | Aims for 8 to 14 weeks, often 3 to 4 months |
Fees, ratings and timings come from third-party reviews and the services' own pages and change, so confirm them before you sign. The legal-action fee is the number most people miss: if your airline refuses and the case goes to court, the share you keep can differ a lot.
What you keep
On a 400 EUR claim, a 35% fee leaves 260 EUR and a 25% fee leaves 300 EUR. These percentages are reported by third parties, so check the current figure and whether VAT is included.
| Claim | Keep with 35% fee | Keep with 25% fee |
|---|---|---|
| 250 EUR | 162.50 EUR | 187.50 EUR |
| 400 EUR | 260 EUR | 300 EUR |
| 600 EUR | 390 EUR | 450 EUR |
How long claims take
Reviewers report that most AirHelp claims take roughly three to four months, with the company aiming for 8 to 14 weeks. For Compensair, customer reviews describe waits from under three months to nearly two years when the airline disputes the claim. In both cases slow answers from the airline are the usual cause. If a service tells you to wait, that is normal, but ask for a status update after a few months. Reviews on Trustpilot praise support teams from both and complain mainly about waiting for the payout.
When to claim directly
If the airline's cause is clear and the airline pays valid claims, going direct saves the whole fee. If it has rejected you, or you do not want to chase, a service is worth the share. You can also try directly first and use a service if refused, unless a time limit is close.
EU rules are being reformed. Reports say the European Parliament and Council reached a provisional deal in June 2026 and Parliament approved it in July 2026, but the new rules are expected to apply only in the second half of 2027 or later. Until then the current Regulation 261/2004 applies, so claims for flights today follow the rules described here. Check the status before relying on any new thresholds.
Before you sign
- Confirm the fee, including VAT and the court rate.
- Check that you can claim for every passenger on the booking.
- Do not file the same claim with two services.
See the airline guides for Ryanair and Wizz Air, and our EU261 guide.
Time limits and the Slovak route
In Slovakia, sources report that the right to compensation expires two years after the date of the flight, so do not wait. If you claim directly and the airline does not answer or refuses, the supervisory authority for air passenger rights in Slovakia is the Slovak Trade Inspection (SOI), where you can file a complaint. Keep boarding passes, booking confirmations and every email. For when the airline can refuse, see flight delay compensation.
Frequently asked questions
Is AirHelp or Compensair cheaper?
Third-party reviews report a lower fee for Compensair, but check current terms on both sites.
Do both charge nothing if I lose?
Yes, both work on a no win, no fee basis, according to their terms.
Can I use both for one flight?
No. File with one service only, to avoid conflicts.
Is claiming directly better?
It costs nothing, but you handle the follow-up and any dispute.
Does the EU261 reform change this?
Not yet. The reform was politically agreed in 2026 and current rules apply until it takes effect.
Which documents do I need to claim?
Your booking confirmation, boarding pass and any delay notices or emails from the airline. Note the planned and actual arrival times.
Photo: Bratislava Airport · ANDREJ NEUHERZ · CC BY-SA 3.0
