- Flight disruptions cost passengers average of €514
- English travellers faced highest costs at around €708
- 73pc of passengers left financially worse off
- Only 25pc informed of passenger rights during disruption
- 68pc cited major stress and frustration
A global passenger survey conducted in August 2026 by claims management company AirHelp has revealed that flight disruptions cost passengers an average of €514 out of pocket per person. This represents an increase from previous baseline surveys which recorded average disruption expenses of approximately €362. English travellers faced the highest financial burden shelling out an average of around €708 while German travellers followed at around €619 per disrupted trip.
Spanish and Portuguese passengers reported the lowest average out of pocket costs at around €340 and around €277 respectively. In total 73pc of passengers reported being left financially worse off. The unexpected expenses primarily stemmed from booking emergency alternative transport, buying food and drink during long waits and paying for short notice accommodation.
Only 25pc of respondents stated that their airline proactively informed them of their passenger rights while the disruption was happening. About 35pc of travellers had no idea that passenger rights regulations existed and 31pc never filed a claim simply because they did not know they were eligible for financial compensation. Beyond the financial setbacks 68pc of passengers cited major stress and frustration.
