Educational passenger-rights overview only — not legal advice. Compensation bands cited below come from published regulation text; eligibility and amounts depend on your itinerary, operating carrier and the cause of disruption. Verify current official figures before you claim.
AirHelp versus DIY EU261 and UK261 claims — success fees, timelines, evidence quality and when paying ~35% beats months of airline stalling.
Key takeaways
- DIY wins when your case is straightforward, you have clean evidence and you will follow up for eight weeks — you keep 100% of statutory EUR/GBP bands.
- DIY: free, full payout, you manage escalation.
- Verdict: always try DIY first on clear-cut cases — the regulation letter is mechanical.
- DIY keeps full statutory amounts; AirHelp trades a fee for persistence.
Should you use AirHelp or claim flight compensation yourself?
DIY wins when your case is straightforward, you have clean evidence and you will follow up for eight weeks — you keep 100% of statutory EUR/GBP bands. AirHelp (or similar) wins when the airline stonewalls, extraordinary circumstances are disputed, or you value time over the success fee — typically around 35% of the payout on success, no win no fee.
Screen eligibility first in the compensation checker. DIY letter templates: how to claim flight compensation DIY.
AirHelp vs DIY — side-by-side
DIY: free, full payout, you manage escalation. AirHelp: fee on success, handles airline correspondence and some court paths, better for complex or multi-passenger files you will not chase.
| Factor | DIY | AirHelp |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Success fee (~35% typical) |
| Payout | 100% to you | Net after fee |
| Time | Your follow-up | Outsourced |
| Simple 4h EU delay | Often sufficient | Optional |
| Disputed weather defence | Harder alone | Often their specialty |
| Multi-passenger family | Repetitive admin | Single handoff |
AirHelp vs DIY — verdict
Verdict: always try DIY first on clear-cut cases — the regulation letter is mechanical. Use AirHelp when the airline ignores you twice or the case is legally messy. Not for passengers who have not gathered boarding passes yet — organise evidence before paying anyone.
Partner terms checked August 2026 — confirm current AirHelp fee on their site before signing.
AirHelp vs DIY FAQ
DIY keeps full statutory amounts; AirHelp trades a fee for persistence. Both need the same core evidence.
Already rejected? AirHelp may still take it — DIY escalation to NEB is also free.
US DOT bumps? Different framework — DIY to airline often works.
Evidence note
How we checked this guide
Research basis
Structured desk research with 3 relevant primary or independent sources linked below.
Experience standard
No first-hand test or trip is implied unless the article explicitly states who tested it, when and under what conditions.
Review date
Editorially reviewed on 8 August 2026. Time-sensitive prices, rules and eligibility must be checked again before purchase or travel.
Commercial independence
This guide currently carries no configured commissioned partner link. Editorial conclusions are not sold.
See the editorial policy, method notes, or report a correction.