LATAM Airlines Delayed from Europe? Claim EU261 Compensation Up to €600
LATAM Airlines (IATA: LA) is the largest airline group in Latin America, operating transatlantic flights from Madrid, Barcelona, Lisbon, London, Frankfurt, Paris, and Amsterdam to São Paulo, Lima, Santiago de Chile, Bogotá, Buenos Aires, and other South American cities. Although South American, EU Regulation 261/2004 applies to all airlines departing from EU or UK airports. All LATAM routes from Europe exceed 5,500 km — qualifying for the maximum €600 per person with a 4+ hour delay.
⚠️ Spain and Portugal: 1-year deadline — act immediately
LATAM operates heavily from Madrid, Barcelona, and Lisbon. Spain and Portugal both have 1-year statute of limitations for EU261 claims. If your LATAM flight from Madrid, Barcelona, or Lisbon was delayed or cancelled in 2025 or 2026, you must act now. The claim window closes fast.
Claim window by EU departure country
| EU/UK Departure | Claim Window | LATAM routes (all >5,500 km = €600) |
|---|---|---|
| Spain (MAD, BCN) | 1 year | ⚠️ Madrid–São Paulo GRU: ~9,300 km · Madrid–Lima LIM: ~9,900 km · Madrid–Santiago SCL: ~10,200 km · Barcelona–Lima/São Paulo · BCN–Bogotá BOG: ~8,800 km |
| Portugal (LIS) | 1 year | ⚠️ Lisbon–São Paulo GRU: ~7,600 km · Lisbon–Fortaleza FOR: ~5,600 km — act immediately |
| United Kingdom (LHR) | 6 years | London–São Paulo GRU: ~9,500 km · London–Bogotá BOG: ~8,700 km (if operated by LATAM) |
| Germany (FRA) | 3 years | Frankfurt–São Paulo GRU: ~9,900 km |
| France (CDG) | 5 years | Paris CDG–São Paulo GRU: ~9,350 km · Paris–Bogotá BOG |
| Netherlands (AMS) | 5 years | Amsterdam–São Paulo GRU: ~9,500 km |
Am I eligible?
How to claim LATAM Airlines EU261 compensation
- 1
File directly with LATAM Airlines
Submit your EU261 claim via LATAM's customer service. Reference EU Regulation 261/2004. Include PNR, LA flight number, EU/UK departure airport, and actual arrival time at final destination.
LATAM Airlines claims → - 2
Escalate to national authority of your EU/UK departure
AESA for Madrid/Barcelona (⚠️ act fast — 1 year). ANAC for Lisbon (⚠️ act fast — 1 year). LBA for Frankfurt. DGAC for Paris. ILT for Amsterdam. UK CAA for London.
Find your national enforcement body → - 3
Use a no-win no-fee service
AirHelp handles LATAM EU261 claims and takes ~25% only if successful. Especially important for Spain/Portugal passengers: use a claims service immediately to ensure you beat the 1-year deadline.
Check via AirHelp →
LATAM Airlines denial tactics to watch for
- →"EU261 doesn't apply to LATAM" — false; EU law applies to all airlines on EU/UK-departure flights
- →Offering LATAM Pass miles or travel credits instead of cash — you are entitled to cash under EU261
- →"Technical issue as extraordinary circumstances" — not valid under EU261
- →"Brazil/Argentina weather at destination" — only extraordinary circumstances at the EU/UK departure airport excuse delays
- →Post-bankruptcy restructuring: LATAM emerged from Chapter 11 in 2022; all EU261 rights for current flights remain unaffected
Find past LATAM Airlines delays in your inbox
SubRadar scans your Gmail or Outlook for LATAM booking emails and flags disrupted EU/UK-departure flights within your country's claim window.
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