Iberia cancellation compensation
Compensation is due unless you were told at least 14 days before departure, or were told later but re-routed on a flight that fell inside the timing windows set by Article 5(1)(c). You are also entitled to choose between a full refund and a replacement flight, whatever the notice.
Which Iberia flights are covered
Iberia is registered in Spain, so it counts as an EU carrier and its flights are covered in both directions.
- Departing an EU airport: covered by EU261.
- Departing a UK airport: covered by UK261.
- Arriving in the EU from outside Europe: covered by EU261, because Iberia is an EU carrier.
- Arriving in the UK from outside Europe: covered by UK261, which also protects arrivals on EU carriers.
Worked examples on Iberia routes
| Route | Distance | Rules | Per passenger |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madrid (MAD) → Paris (CDG) | 1,064 km | EU261 | €250 |
| Madrid (MAD) → Barcelona (BCN) | 483 km | EU261 | €250 |
| Madrid (MAD) → Rome (FCO) | 1,330 km | EU261 | €250 |
| Madrid (MAD) → Amsterdam (AMS) | 1,461 km | EU261 | €250 |
What Iberia is likely to say — and the answer
“You were offered an alternative flight” — only relevant if it fell inside the Article 5 windows. Check the departure and arrival times.
“We told you in advance” — the question is whether it was 14 days or more, counted from when you were actually informed.
“Operational reasons” — not a category in the Regulation.
A voucher offered instead of money — you are entitled to be paid in money.
Specific to Iberia
Spain allows five years to bring a claim, and AESA — the Spanish aviation safety agency — is unusually willing to issue a formal opinion on individual passenger complaints. That opinion carries weight if the matter goes further.
Madrid is the main European hub for Latin America, so Iberia claims are frequently missed connections on long-haul itineraries where the €600 band applies.
Iberia and Iberia Express are different operating carriers. Check which one is on your booking before you address the letter.
Their first response is often a form letter. AESA’s complaint route is the practical next step.
Time limit: Iberia is based in Spain, where claims run for 5 years from the date of the flight. How that works
Check it free, then send the letter yourself.
If your Iberia cancellation appears eligible, the claim letter is £15 flat, with Iberia’s likely objection answered in advance. You keep 100% of what they pay. If the airline rejects your claim on eligibility grounds, we refund the £15. Forward us their reply and we refund within five working days.
Iberia cancellation: common questions
How much can I claim from Iberia for a cancellation?
Between €250 and €600 (or £220 and £520 under UK261) per passenger, depending on distance. The worked examples on this page show the figure for some of Iberia’s routes.
Iberia cancelled my flight and put me on another one. Can I still claim?
Possibly. If you were told less than 14 days before, the airline only escapes compensation if the replacement fell inside strict windows — for example, with under 7 days’ notice, departing no more than an hour early and arriving less than two hours late. Outside those windows, compensation is due, although it can be halved if you arrived within 2, 3 or 4 hours depending on distance.
What reasons does Iberia give for refusing cancellation claims?
The most common are: You were offered an alternative flight; We told you in advance; Operational reasons; A voucher offered instead of money. Most of these do not hold up against the Regulation or the case law.
How long do I have to make a Iberia cancellation claim?
Where Iberia is based, the limit is 5 years. You can usually also claim in the country your flight departed from or arrived in, which may give you longer.
Other Iberia claims
- Iberia: delayCompensation is due when you arrive at your final destination 3 hours or more after the scheduled arrival time.
- Iberia: cancellationCompensation is due unless you were told at least 14 days before departure, or were told later but re-routed on a flight that fell inside the timing windows set by Article 5(1)(c).
- Iberia: denied boardingCompensation is due immediately when you are refused boarding against your will — most often because the flight was overbooked — provided you checked in on time with a confirmed reservation.
- Iberia: missed connectionWhere all your flights were on a single booking, a delay that makes you miss a connection is measured at your final destination.