SunExpress compensation: how to claim
SunExpress is registered in Türkiye — outside the EU and UK — so only flights leaving Europe are covered.
- Registered in
- Türkiye (non-EU/UK carrier)
- Main bases
- Antalya (AYT), Istanbul (IST)
- Typical first response
- About 45 days
- Time limit where it is based
- Depends where you claim
SunExpress is registered in Türkiye — outside the EU and UK — so only flights leaving Europe are covered.
- Departing a UK airport: covered by UK261.
- Departing an EU airport: covered by EU261.
- Flying into the UK or EU from Türkiye or elsewhere: not covered by either, because SunExpress is not a UK or EU carrier.
- That means a return trip is usually half-protected: the outbound from Europe counts, the flight home does not.
How SunExpress handles claims
A Turkish-registered joint venture between Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa. Being half-owned by a German airline does not make it an EU carrier — only the outbound from Europe is covered.
Almost all of their flying is Germany and Central Europe to the Turkish coast, in the 1,500–3,500 km band.
Summer peak schedules with high aircraft utilisation produce long knock-on delays, which are within their control.
Claims on the covered leg escalate to the enforcement body of the European departure country.
What a delay on SunExpress is worth
| Route | Distance | Rules | Per passenger |
|---|---|---|---|
| London (LHR) → Antalya (AYT) | 2,939 km | UK261 | £350 |
| Antalya (AYT) → London (LHR) | 2,939 km | — | Not covered |
| Paris (CDG) → Antalya (AYT) | 2,642 km | EU261 | €400 |
| Antalya (AYT) → Paris (CDG) | 2,642 km | — | Not covered |
Amounts are per passenger. The distance is the great-circle distance between the airports, which is what the Regulation uses — not the distance flown.
Claiming from SunExpress, by what happened
- SunExpress: delayCompensation is due when you arrive at your final destination 3 hours or more after the scheduled arrival time.
- SunExpress: 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).
- SunExpress: 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.
- SunExpress: missed connectionWhere all your flights were on a single booking, a delay that makes you miss a connection is measured at your final destination.
We draft. You send.
The check is free. If your SunExpress flight appears eligible, the claim letter is £15 flat — you send it to SunExpress yourself and keep the whole payout. If the airline rejects your claim on eligibility grounds, we refund the £15. Forward us their reply and we refund within five working days.
SunExpress: common questions
How much compensation can I get from SunExpress?
It depends on the distance and on which rules apply. Under EU261 it is €250, €400 or €600 per passenger; under UK261 it is £220, £350 or £520. SunExpress is registered in Türkiye — outside the EU and UK — so only flights leaving Europe are covered.
Does SunExpress have to pay if the delay was caused by a technical problem?
Yes, in almost every case. The Court of Justice has held that technical problems — including sudden, unforeseen faults — are part of the normal running of an airline and are not extraordinary circumstances.
How long do I have to claim against SunExpress?
The limit is set by the country where you bring the claim, which is usually where your flight departed or arrived. In England and Wales it is six years; in most EU countries between two and five.
Where do I send a claim to SunExpress?
SunExpress takes claims through an online form, and the postal address is SunExpress, Customer Relations, Güzeloba Mah. Havaalanı Cad. No:245, Muratpaşa, 07230 Antalya, Türkiye. Check the address on the airline’s website before posting — claims departments move.
Can I claim for an old SunExpress flight?
Very often, yes. Most people do not realise claims last several years. Every disrupted flight is a separate claim, for every passenger on the booking.