Travel SOS Card › 🇪🇸 Spain › Flight delay or cancellation

🇪🇸 Spain flight delayed or cancelledAeropuerto

Delays, cancellations, missed connections and lost bags at the airline counter. What you tick stays on your phone. Nothing is stored or sent anywhere.

What happened

My flight is delayed.Mi vuelo tiene retraso.
My flight was cancelled.Han cancelado mi vuelo.
My first flight was late and I missed my connecting flight.Mi primer vuelo llegó con retraso y he perdido la conexión.
I was denied boarding because the flight was overbooked.Me han denegado el embarque porque el vuelo tenía overbooking.
My checked bag did not arrive.Mi equipaje facturado no ha llegado.
My checked bag was damaged.Mi equipaje facturado ha llegado dañado.

What to ask the airline for

Please rebook me on the earliest next flight.¿Me puede cambiar al primer vuelo disponible, por favor?
I don't want to fly. I would like a refund.No voy a volar. Quisiera el reembolso.
Please provide a hotel for tonight.¿Me pueden facilitar un hotel para esta noche, por favor?
Can I get a meal voucher?¿Me pueden dar un vale de comida?
Please give me a written confirmation of the delay or cancellation. I need it for my insurance.¿Me puede dar un certificado del retraso o de la cancelación? Lo necesito para el seguro.
I want to file a baggage report (PIR). Please give me the reference number.Quiero presentar un parte de incidencia de equipaje (PIR). ¿Me puede dar el número de referencia?
Please deliver my bag to my hotel when you find it.Cuando encuentren mi equipaje, ¿me lo pueden enviar al hotel, por favor?
Will you reimburse essentials I need to buy now?¿Me reembolsarán los artículos de primera necesidad que tenga que comprar ahora?

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Keep these (for compensation and insurance)

Boarding pass and booking confirmation (a photo is fine)
The written delay or cancellation confirmation from the airline
Receipts for meals, hotel and transport while you waited
For bag problems: the PIR reference number and photos of the bag
Photos of the departures board or announcements, with the time visible

Your rights (summary)

EU261 (EU air passenger rights) covers every flight departing an airport in the EU, Switzerland, Norway or Iceland, and flights into these countries on an EU airline.
If you arrive 3 hours or more late, the flight is cancelled less than 14 days before departure, or you are denied boarding because of overbooking, you can claim per person EUR 250 (up to 1,500 km), EUR 400 (1,500 to 3,500 km, or over 1,500 km within the EU) or EUR 600 (over 3,500 km). On flights over 3,500 km, a 3 to 4 hour delay can be halved.
No cash compensation for "extraordinary circumstances" the airline could not avoid (bad weather, air traffic control, airport or security problems). Whatever the cause, after a wait of 2 to 4 hours depending on distance you get meals and drinks, and a hotel and transfers if you must stay overnight.
Claim through the airline's EU261 form. If it refuses, complain to the national enforcement body of that country. The EU is discussing changes to these rules, so check the current rules when you claim.
Complain to the airline first, in writing, with the documents above. Keep copies of everything.
For flights departing Spain, complain to the airline first; if unresolved, you can file a claim with the Spanish aviation safety agency (AESA).

Before you go

Mobile data (eSIM)

If you get sick or lose something in Spain, maps, translation and calling for help all need data. Install an eSIM before you fly and it works as soon as you land.

See Airalo eSIM plans

Airport transfers and transport

Taxis and directions are the hardest part when you can't speak the language in Spain. Booking an airport pickup or transport pass in advance means less to explain on arrival.

See airport transfers on Klook

Travel medical insurance

A hospital visit in Spain can cost a lot without insurance. Travel insurance can cover treatment, and most insurers ask for the medical certificate, itemized receipt and police report these cards help you request.

Compare EKTA travel insurance

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These cards help you communicate. They are not medical or legal advice. In an emergency, call the local emergency number. Contacts and procedures change; check the official sites.

What you tick stays on your phone. Nothing is stored or sent anywhere. · Last checked: 2026-10