AirHelp vs SubRadar: what each one actually keeps from your compensation
Updated: July 2026 · 6 min read
AirHelp, Skycop, ClaimCompass and similar claim companies do essentially the same job as SubRadar: they prepare and send your EU261 compensation claim to the airline. The real difference isn't the service — it's the cut they keep once the airline actually pays.
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What went wrong?
1/4Fee comparison
| Service | Fee | On a €600 claim |
|---|---|---|
| SubRadar | 15%, capped at €90 | €90 kept — you get €510 |
| AirHelp | ~35% (up to 50% if escalated) | ~€210 kept — you get €390 |
| Skycop | Up to 50% | Up to €300 kept — you get €300 |
AirHelp and Skycop's exact rates vary by country and whether the case requires legal escalation — these are commonly cited ballpark figures, worth double-checking against their current terms at the time you file. SubRadar's €90 cap is fixed and stated in our terms regardless of claim size.
Why is the fee so different for the same work?
Filing a valid EU261 claim is a largely standardized process: verify the flight distance, calculate the actual arrival delay, draft a claim citing Regulation 261/2004, send it to the airline, and follow up on silence or rejection. In the vast majority of cases, it isn't bespoke legal work.
SubRadar was built to charge in line with the actual work involved: 15% of the amount recovered, with an absolute cap of €90. On a small €250 claim, the fee can fall below that rate if the €9 minimum applies — but it will never exceed €90, even on the largest claims.
What's identical across services
- — No fee if the claim fails (no-win-no-fee is standard across every serious player in this space)
- — The airline pays you directly — no service holds your compensation on your behalf
- — Same underlying regulation applies (EU261/UK261), same statutory amounts (€250, €400, or €600 depending on distance)
- — Free escalation to the national regulator (CAA, DGAC, etc.) if the airline unfairly refuses
What actually differs
What you keep
This is the most direct, easiest-to-verify difference: on the same €600 claim, SubRadar keeps at most €90, while a service charging 35-50% keeps €210-300.
Automatic detection in your inbox
SubRadar scans your Gmail or Outlook metadata (sender, subject, date — never the body) to surface disrupted flights you may have forgotten, going back as far as your country's statute of limitations allows.
Product scope
SubRadar also covers SNCF Garantie 30 train refunds in France, and flags silent subscription price increases — beyond just flight claims.
Check what your flight is actually worth
Before picking a service, find out how much you may be owed first. SubRadar's check is free, commits you to nothing, and never files a claim without your explicit confirmation.
Check my flight free →Frequently asked questions
Is AirHelp legit?
Yes — AirHelp is an established company that has processed EU261 claims since 2013. The friction point for many users is the fee level (25-50% depending on the case), not the legitimacy of the service.
Why is SubRadar cheaper?
SubRadar caps its fee at 15% of the amount recovered, with an absolute maximum of €90 regardless of claim size. On a €600 claim, that is €90 with SubRadar versus €150-300 with a service charging 25-50%.
Is there any risk in switching services?
No. Like SubRadar, most reputable claim services work on a no-win-no-fee basis: you only pay if the airline pays. Checking your eligibility on SubRadar is free and commits you to nothing.