You waited for hours at the airport, staring at the departure board hoping that your Turkish Airlines flight number would stop flashing. Or maybe you received an SMS at the last moment: flight cancelled.
Plans disrupted, missed connections, unexpected hotel nights. A delay or a cancellation is not just an inconvenience: it is stress, wasted money and important moments that cannot be recovered.
What few people know, however, is that European law gives you the right to receive compensation of up to $660. And ReFly is here to help you obtain it, without paying a single euro upfront.
When are you entitled to compensation for a Turkish Airlines flight?
You are entitled to compensation in the following cases:
- Delay duration: Your Turkish Airlines flight arrived at its destination with a delay of at least 3 hours.
-
Cause of the delay: The delay was not caused by extraordinary circumstances, such as:
- Adverse weather conditions.
- Strikes by airport staff or air traffic control.
- Health emergencies or security issues.
-
Flight route: The regulation applies to flights:
- Departing from an airport in the European Union.
- Operated by Turkish Airlines.
How to claim compensation for a Turkish Airlines flight delay
Here are the main steps to claim compensation:
- Gather the necessary documentation: Keep your boarding pass or e-ticket. Collect evidence of the delay, such as official communications from Turkish Airlines, SMS or email notifications, or photos of airport screens.
- Check the circumstances of the delay: Verify whether the delay was caused by factors within the airline's control. In the case of extraordinary circumstances, Turkish Airlines is not obliged to pay compensation.
- Submit the claim form on the Turkish Airlines website: Access the dedicated complaints section on the official Turkish Airlines website. Fill in the form with all the required information and attach the necessary documents.
Too much bureaucracy? Let ReFly handle it
If you prefer to avoid complications, you can rely on ReFly.org, which handles the entire process for you. Here is what ReFly offers:
- Free case analysis: we quickly check whether you are entitled to compensation.
- Full claim management: we handle all communications with Turkish Airlines, so you do not have to deal with long waits or unclear responses.
- No upfront costs: you only pay if we obtain compensation for you.
- Proven expertise: our team of experts has in-depth knowledge of the regulations and passenger rights, ensuring you receive maximum support.
With ReFly, you can turn a negative experience into a positive outcome, without worrying about bureaucratic procedures.
How much is the compensation?
$290
The $290 compensation applies to flights under 1,500 km.
$450
The $450 compensation applies to flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km.
$660
The $660 compensation applies to flights over 3,500 km.
Can Turkish Airlines reject my compensation claim?
Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for compensation claims to be rejected by airlines.
It is important to know, however, that Turkish Airlines can only legitimately refuse your claim in certain extraordinary situations.
These situations are defined as extraordinary circumstances.
Here are some examples of extraordinary circumstances that may exempt the airline from paying compensation:
- Adverse weather conditions, such as dense fog, severe thunderstorms or heavy snowfall.
- Strikes involving airport staff or air traffic control.
- Important note: an internal strike by Turkish Airlines staff is not considered an extraordinary circumstance and does not exempt the airline from the obligation to pay compensation.
- Political circumstances, such as terrorist attacks or security risks related to political unrest.
- Natural disasters, such as volcanic eruptions or seismic events.
- Bird strikes or collisions with foreign objects.
- Disruptive passenger behaviour, for example in cases of illness or unruly conduct on board.
- Issues related to airport staff, such as delays caused by exceptionally long security queues.
However, it is essential to be aware that airlines sometimes use extraordinary circumstances as a justification to reject even fully valid claims.
If you want to maximise your chances of obtaining the compensation you are entitled to, rely on ReFly.
Our team will carefully analyse aeronautical data, such as weather bulletins and flight information, and will consult our legal department to defend your rights.
Moreover, thanks to our "No Win - No Fee" policy, you only pay in the event of a successful outcome. Claim your compensation today with ReFly!
Turkish Airlines ticket refund: when can you request it?
A refund refers to the reimbursement of the cost of the airline ticket when the delay or cancellation makes it impossible or pointless to use the flight. This right applies in specific situations and is handled directly with Turkish Airlines.
Please note: ReFly deals exclusively with financial compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004. For a ticket refund, you must contact Turkish Airlines directly.
When are you entitled to a Turkish Airlines ticket refund?
You are entitled to a ticket refund if:
- The delay is so significant that it makes the journey pointless (for example, if the flight arrives too late for you to attend an important event).
- You decide not to travel due to the delay and request cancellation of the ticket.
- Your flight is cancelled and you do not accept the alternative flight offered by Turkish Airlines.
What to do during a Turkish Airlines flight delay?
In the event of a significant delay, Turkish Airlines is required to provide assistance to passengers under EU Regulation 261/2004.
- This includes:
- Meals and beverages proportionate to the waiting time.
- Hotel accommodation (if the delay requires an overnight stay).
- Transport to and from the airport.
- Two telephone calls, telex or fax messages, or email messages.
Compensation for a Turkish Airlines flight delay: timeframes
Compensation for a Turkish Airlines flight delayed by 1 hour
A 1-hour delay does not entitle you to compensation, as it does not meet the criteria established by EU Regulation 261/2004. However, it is important to monitor the situation, as a further extension of the delay could change your eligibility for compensation.
Compensation for a Turkish Airlines flight delayed by 2 hours
Even with a 2-hour delay, you are not entitled to financial compensation. However, Turkish Airlines is required to provide free assistance for flights over 1,500 km.
Compensation for a Turkish Airlines flight delayed by 3 hours
If your Turkish Airlines flight delay reaches or exceeds 3 hours, you are entitled to compensation of up to $290 or $450, depending on the flight distance:
- $290 for flights up to 1,500 km.
- $450 for flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km.
Compensation is only valid if the delay is caused by Turkish Airlines (for example, technical or operational problems) and not by extraordinary circumstances. Keep all flight documentation to submit your claim.
Compensation for a Turkish Airlines flight delayed by more than 4 hours
With a delay of more than 4 hours, you are entitled to financial compensation ranging between $290 and $660, depending on the flight distance:
- $290 for flights up to 1,500 km.
- $450 for flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km.
- $660 for flights over 3,500 km.
Compensation is guaranteed only if the delay is attributable to Turkish Airlines and not to extraordinary circumstances. In addition, in the case of such long delays, the airline must provide full assistance, including meals, beverages and, if necessary, hotel accommodation.
It only takes 2 minutes
How can I get my compensation?
Here's how to do it in 3 simple steps:
1
Submit the compensation request
It only takes 2 minutes to find out the amount of your compensation and submit the request.
2
We work for your rights
Our lawyers will work with the airlines and authorities on your case.
3
Receive your compensation
As soon as we win the case, you will receive the money in your bank account.
Compensation for a cancelled Turkish Airlines flight
If your Turkish Airlines flight is cancelled, you are entitled to the same compensation amounts as for delays, provided that:
- The cancellation is not due to extraordinary circumstances.
- You were not notified at least 14 days in advance.
- If notified between 7 and 14 days in advance, compensation is reduced by 50% if you are offered an alternative flight with similar times.
| Flight distance |
Compensation |
| Up to 1,500 km |
$290 |
| Between 1,500 and 3,500 km |
$450 |
| Over 3,500 km |
$660 |
Discover more about:
Passenger rights in case of flight delay or cancellation
Turkish Airlines: delay numbers and statistics
Turkish Airlines is one of the world's largest airlines, operating flights to over 300 destinations across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas, with its main hub at Istanbul Airport.
Despite improvements in punctuality recorded in 2025–2026, data shows that disruptions remain a concrete reality for many passengers:
- In 2023, Turkish Airlines recorded 33,307 delayed flights, equal to 26.81% of total flights operated, ranking 9th in Europe by number of delays.
- In 2024, Turkish Airlines ranked among the top 5 airlines for disruptions: 51.11% of cases involved delayed flights, 35.56% cancellations.
- In 2025, Turkish Airlines was the third airline by number of complaints, with over 6% of the national total.
These figures highlight the importance of knowing your rights as a passenger. If your Turkish Airlines flight was delayed by more than 3 hours or was cancelled, you may be entitled to compensation of up to $660.
Do not let a disruption ruin your travel plans: assert your rights and get what you are owed with ReFly.
Frequently asked questions about Turkish Airlines compensation for delayed or cancelled flights
Yes, if your Turkish Airlines flight arrived at its destination with a delay of at least 3 hours and the delay was not caused by extraordinary circumstances (such as adverse weather or air traffic control strikes), you are entitled to compensation ranging from $290 to $660 under EU Regulation 261/2004, depending on the flight distance.
Yes. An internal strike by Turkish Airlines staff is not considered an extraordinary circumstance under European law. This means that if your flight was cancelled or delayed due to a strike by the airline's employees, you are still entitled to compensation. This is different from strikes by air traffic control or airport staff, which do exempt the airline.
They are two distinct rights. A refund is the reimbursement of the ticket price, which you can request directly from Turkish Airlines if you decide not to travel due to the delay or if the flight is cancelled. Compensation is an additional financial entitlement (from $290 to $660) provided by EU Regulation 261/2004 for the inconvenience suffered. ReFly handles compensation claims only: if you need a ticket refund, you must contact Turkish Airlines directly.
No, you are not required to accept it. In the event of a cancellation or prolonged delay, you have the right to request a cash refund for your ticket within seven days. You can accept a voucher only if you freely and knowingly choose to do so. Do not sign any document that implies waiving your right to a cash refund without understanding the consequences. Compensation, on the other hand, is a separate right that cannot be replaced by a voucher without your consent.
The limitation period for claiming compensation is generally two years from the date of the flight. However, it is always advisable to act as soon as possible, keeping all the necessary documentation: boarding pass, booking confirmation, communications received from Turkish Airlines and receipts for expenses incurred during the wait.
ReFly operates on a "No Win - No Fee" basis: you pay nothing upfront and nothing if we do not obtain compensation. ReFly's fee is deducted only in the event of a successful outcome, directly from the compensation awarded. You can check for free whether you are entitled to compensation in less than 2 minutes.
