AirHelp charges 35% including VAT and adds a legal action fee it gives no figure for; ClaimFlights charges a flat 25% plus VAT, the same in court, bearing court and lawyer costs. AirHelp's Trustpilot rating is 4.5 out of 5 from 245,323 reviews and ClaimFlights' 4.2 from 501.
AirHelp or ClaimFlights: which is better?
ClaimFlights suits a claimant who expects the airline to fight, since its fee does not rise in court, or who lives outside the EU and pays no VAT on it. AirHelp suits one who wants a claim under Turkish or Brazilian rules or its AirHelp+ membership.
Where these facts come from. Every line is what AirHelp and ClaimFlights publish on their own websites, read on 20 October 2026, with their Trustpilot ratings, from the Uncompromised Travel flight compensation table. Neither paid to be on this page. The page does not score them: it says which suits whom.
AirHelp: The most Trustpilot reviews here: 245,323.
ClaimFlights: The same flat 25% fee in court.
What do they charge?
Fee if it wins
AirHelp: 35% including VAT, taken from the compensation; AirHelp+ members pay no fee.
ClaimFlights: A flat 25% success fee plus VAT by country of residence (29.75% gross for German residents, no VAT for US and non-EU residents).
If it goes to court
AirHelp: An additional legal action fee applies if it escalates through legal channels; no figure is published.
ClaimFlights: No extra fee: the flat 25% stays the same if it goes to court; it bears court and lawyer costs.
If the claim fails
AirHelp: 'If we don't win, we charge nothing.'
ClaimFlights: 'If we do not win, we charge nothing. Period.'
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.
ClaimFlights: 4.2 out of 5 from 501 reviews, newest review 13 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.
ClaimFlights: Paid to the customer's bank account once the claim is won ('compensation is paid directly to you'); Bank details are requested only after a win.
How long a claim takes
AirHelp: No fixed time: many claims are resolved in a matter of weeks, though some take longer, it says.
ClaimFlights: Out of court: 'we often can pay in less than 3 months'.
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.
ClaimFlights: Claims are pursued under EU261; UK261, US DOT rules and the Montreal Convention are explained as other regimes.
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.
ClaimFlights: EU261 covers flights departing an EU airport on any airline (including United, Delta, American, Emirates) and flights arriving in the EU from outside only on EU airlines.
How far back
AirHelp: Generally up to 3 years in the EU, varying by country: Poland 1 year, Slovakia 2, Latvia 10.
ClaimFlights: UK 6 years; 'at least 3 years' in many other European countries, counted from the end of the year.
Do they go to court?
Lawyers
AirHelp: Partner lawyers and in-house legal staff.
ClaimFlights: Partner lawyers: 'our contracted lawyer' and 'partner lawyers across Europe' take cases to court.
Court action
AirHelp: 'Our team pursues compensation directly with the airline, even taking the case to court, if necessary.'
ClaimFlights: Partner lawyers across Europe take the case to court at no extra cost; it cites a 'litigation track record against budget airlines through German courts' and a 'cross-border legal network'.
Who are they?
Registered company
AirHelp: AirHelp gives no registered company name, number or address on its website.
ClaimFlights: Claim Flights GmbH (trading as ClaimFlights), HRB 21397, registered in Bonn, Germany.
Based in
AirHelp: not stated on its website.
ClaimFlights: Bonn, Germany.
Founded
AirHelp: 2013, by its own account.
ClaimFlights: 2014, by its own account.
What are the alternatives to AirHelp and ClaimFlights?
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.
FlyClaims: A 20% fee, VAT included. Fee: 20%, including VAT.
MYFLYRIGHT: A choice of commission or instant payout. Fee: 25%, plus VAT; Trustpilot 4.5 from 4,760 reviews.
Yes, by country of residence: 29.75% gross for German residents and no VAT for US and non-EU residents, it says.
How long does ClaimFlights take?
Out of court it often pays in less than 3 months; litigated cases 6 to 12 months or more, by its own account.
How much does AirHelp charge?
AirHelp publishes a fee of 35%, including VAT. An additional legal action fee applies if it escalates through legal channels; no figure is published.
How much does ClaimFlights charge?
ClaimFlights publishes a fee of 25%, plus VAT. No extra fee: the flat 25% stays the same if it goes to court; it bears court and lawyer costs.
What are AirHelp reviews like?
On Trustpilot, 4.5 out of 5 from 245,323 reviews, newest review 20 October 2026, read 20 October 2026.
What are ClaimFlights reviews like?
On Trustpilot, 4.2 out of 5 from 501 reviews, newest review 13 October 2026, read 20 October 2026.
Can I claim without either company?
Yes. You can claim from the airline directly and for free; in the UK or EU you can go on to the national enforcement body or an approved dispute scheme if the airline refuses.
Are AirHelp or ClaimFlights partners of Uncompromised Travel?
No. Neither paid to be on this page and no company on it is a partner of Uncompromised Travel.
How current is this page?
Each fact was read on 20 October 2026. Fees and terms change, so check the company's own terms before you sign.
Built to answer the question in the main heading. What is shown: what AirHelp and ClaimFlights published on their own websites, read on 20 October 2026, with their Trustpilot ratings, from the Uncompromised Travel flight compensation table. Neither is a partner of Uncompromised Travel and neither paid to be on this page. How this site earns · How we work.
Richard Jasinski · Uncompromised Travel · written from Valencia · first published 3 November 2026 · updated 3 November 2026
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