AirHelp or AirAdvisor: which is better?

AirHelp charges 35% including VAT and adds a legal action fee it does not give as a figure; AirAdvisor charges 30% on flight claims and names no separate court fee, though not whether VAT is included. Both work on no win, no fee.

AirHelp or AirAdvisor: which is better?

AirAdvisor suits a claimant who wants the lower published fee, though it does not say whether VAT is included; AirHelp suits one who wants the claims company with the most Trustpilot reviews of those we track or its AirHelp+ membership, with no fee for members. Both name US, Canadian and Turkish rules.

• AirHelp: The most Trustpilot reviews here: 245,323.
• AirAdvisor: 30% on flight claims, 40% on baggage.

What do they charge?

Fee if it wins

• AirHelp: 35% including VAT, taken from the compensation; AirHelp+ members pay no fee.
• AirAdvisor: 30% on flight compensation claims and 40% on more complex baggage and reimbursement claims, taken from the airline's payment; it does not say whether VAT is included.

If it goes to court

• AirHelp: An additional legal action fee applies if it escalates through legal channels; no figure is published.
• AirAdvisor: no figure on its website.

If the claim fails

• AirHelp: 'If we don't win, we charge nothing.'
• AirAdvisor: 'If we don't win your case, you pay nothing.'

What are their reviews like?

Trustpilot

• AirHelp: 4.5 out of 5 from 245,323 reviews, newest review 20 October 2026, read 20 October 2026.
• AirAdvisor: 4.3 out of 5 from 2,603 reviews, newest review 18 October 2026, read 20 October 2026.

How and when do they pay out?

How it pays you

• AirHelp: Paid into the customer's account, less the fee.
• AirAdvisor: To your bank account, less its commission, after the airline pays; it does not say how soon.

How long a claim takes

• AirHelp: No fixed time: many claims are resolved in a matter of weeks, though some take longer, it says.
• AirAdvisor: 'Our total turnaround time is usually 4-6 weeks.'

What do they claim for?

Rules it claims under

• AirHelp: EC 261, UK 261, ANAC 400 (Brazil), GACA (Saudi Arabia), SHY Passenger (Turkey) and the Montreal Convention.
• AirAdvisor: EU261, UK261, US DOT, Canada APPR, Turkey SHY and the Montreal Convention.

Flights outside Europe

• AirHelp: Says it claims under EC 261, UK 261, Brazil ANAC 400 (up to $1,900), Turkey SHY (up to $650 in lira), Saudi GACA (200% of ticket price) and the Montreal Convention.
• AirAdvisor: It says it protects rights in the USA, Canada and internationally, with experience of US DOT, Canada APPR and Turkey SHY rules.

How far back

• AirHelp: Generally up to 3 years in the EU, varying by country: Poland 1 year, Slovakia 2, Latvia 10.
• AirAdvisor: Generally 3 years from the flight date; 'Some countries may only have a 1 or 2 year time limit.'

Do they go to court?

Lawyers

• AirHelp: Partner lawyers and in-house legal staff.
• AirAdvisor: In-house lawyers: 'AirAdvisor's team of lawyers and experienced legal professionals'; 'our licensed attorneys will represent you in court proceedings'.

Court action

• AirHelp: 'Our team pursues compensation directly with the airline, even taking the case to court, if necessary.'
• AirAdvisor: With its own lawyers: 'If needed, we will take the airline to court for you'; 'our licensed attorneys will represent you in court proceedings'; 'We'll even take Wizz Air to court'.

Who are they?

Registered company

• AirHelp: AirHelp gives no registered company name, number or address on its website.
• AirAdvisor: AirAdvisor International Inc., named in its disclaimers; no registration number or address is given.

Based in

• AirHelp: not stated on its website.
• AirAdvisor: not stated on its website.

Founded

• AirHelp: 2013, by its own account.
• AirAdvisor: not stated on its website.

What are the alternatives to AirHelp and AirAdvisor?

Three more claims companies, on the same facts, if neither fits:

• Flightright: Founded by Philipp Kadelbach and Sven Bode. Fee: 20% to 30%, plus VAT; Trustpilot 4.5 from 3,410 reviews.
• ClaimFlights: The same flat 25% fee in court. Fee: 25%, plus VAT; Trustpilot 4.2 from 501 reviews.
• SkyRefund: 1,600,000+ passengers helped since 2017. Fee: 35%, including VAT; Trustpilot 4.5 from 4,194 reviews.

Richard Jasinski · Uncompromised Travel · written from Valencia · first published 3 November 2026 · updated 3 November 2026