Flight Delayed Emirates – What You Can Do If You’ve Been Left Waiting

Emirates delays aren’t common—but when they happen, they hurt

Flying with Emirates usually means comfort, style, and above-average service. Let’s be honest: not many airlines offer a menu mid-flight with options that don’t taste like cardboard. So, when you're flying long-haul or connecting through Dubai, Emirates is often a top choice.

But even great airlines slip up. You can be sipping espresso in Rome one minute, and then three hours later still stuck at the gate watching the departure board blink “Delayed.” Sound familiar?

Flight delays mess with more than just schedules. They disrupt plans, cause stress, and make travelers feel powerless. And if you're departing from Europe on an Emirates flight, you might be owed compensation of up to €600. Let’s walk you through what you can do about it—without having to decode airline fine print.

Emirates is based in Dubai—but what about your rights from Europe?

First things first: Emirates is not a European airline. That usually makes people think they’re not protected under European regulations. But that’s only half true.

Here’s the key rule:
If your flight departed from an EU airport (or from the UK, Norway, Iceland, or Switzerland), you are covered by EU Regulation 261/2004, even if the airline is non-EU.

So, if you flew from Barcelona, Frankfurt, Milan, Vienna, or any other European city with Emirates, and your flight arrived 3 hours or more late, you may qualify for compensation.

It doesn’t matter if your destination was Dubai, Bangkok, Cape Town, or Sydney. The only requirement is the flight must have departed from the EU (or similar region).

Now, if your flight to Europe was delayed and it originated in Dubai or somewhere else outside the EU, that’s unfortunately not covered. The rule doesn’t work in reverse unless the airline is EU-based—which Emirates isn’t.

What compensation amounts are we talking about?

The amount you could claim depends on the distance between your departure and arrival airports. Here's a quick breakdown:

• €250 for flights up to 1,500 km

• €400 for intra-EU flights over 1,500 km

• €600 for flights longer than 3,500 km

Spoiler alert: nearly all Emirates flights from Europe are over 3,500 km—so if you're delayed and eligible, you’re likely in line for €600.

What delays are eligible?

Let’s say your Emirates flight from Madrid to Dubai took off late and landed 4 hours after its scheduled time. You didn't miss your flight. You didn’t cancel. You just waited… and waited.

You could qualify.

But there’s one big exception: extraordinary circumstances.
These are things the airline couldn't control—like volcanoes, extreme weather, or air traffic control strikes. In those cases, the airline may be off the hook for compensation.

However, many delays aren't so extraordinary. Late arriving aircraft, staffing issues, poor planning, or mechanical checks? These are generally within the airline’s control and can make you eligible.

Why compensation claims are often ignored

Even when passengers know their rights, airlines like to make the process… not so fun. If you’ve tried contacting an airline directly, you know what we mean.

You fill in a form online, get a generic email response, then... silence. Some passengers wait months, others give up entirely. And the worst part? Airlines know this. They bank on the fact that most travelers won’t push too hard.

That’s where Trouble Flight comes in.
We don’t wait for polite responses. We understand the regulations, collect your flight data, and handle the legal side if needed. No win? No fee. No need to learn aviation law in your spare time.

“But I booked through a third-party website…”

Doesn’t matter.
As long as your name is on the boarding pass and you were actually on the delayed flight, you can claim compensation. It doesn’t matter how you booked—whether through a travel agent, a package holiday site, or directly with Emirates. The law applies to you, the passenger.

What to do when your Emirates flight gets delayed

Besides the frustration, there are smart ways to handle a delay—especially if it turns into a long one. Here are some steps you can take:

• Ask for vouchers: After a delay of 2+ hours, airlines are often required to provide meals, drinks, or at least a voucher depending on the flight length. Ask at the gate.

• Document the delay: Screenshot any delay notice, take photos of the departure boards, and save all your boarding passes.

• Talk to the gate staff: It may feel awkward, but asking direct questions often gets more useful answers than just refreshing your app.

• Consider alternate routes: If your Emirates flight was delayed but you were heading to a final destination like Bangkok or Sydney, sometimes rebooking via another hub (like Amsterdam or Istanbul) may help you arrive earlier.

• Look into nearby airports: If you're flying from Milan and the Emirates flight is delayed overnight, it might make sense to check flights from Rome, Zurich, or even Munich depending on your location. Trains and budget airlines in Europe give you options.

What if you're connecting through Dubai?

If your Emirates flight from Paris to Bangkok had a layover in Dubai, and your first leg was delayed—causing you to miss the connection—you may still be covered.

What matters is:

• The first flight left from Europe

• The flights were booked on a single ticket

• You arrived at your final destination 3+ hours late

In that case, Emirates may be held responsible for the whole journey—even if the second flight was on time. It’s the final arrival time that counts.

Can you still claim if it happened last year?

Yes.
In most European countries, you can submit a compensation claim up to 3 years after the delayed flight. So if you’re thinking back to that awful night in Frankfurt or Rome in 2022, it’s still worth checking.

Just find your booking email or boarding pass and use Trouble Flight’s Compensation Calculator to see what’s possible. It takes less than a minute.

Why does Trouble Flight charge a commission?

It’s simple.
We do all the work, front the legal costs, and only get paid if we’re successful. Our model:

• 25% commission + VAT if we win directly from the airline

• 50% including VAT if legal action is required (which we handle)

• 0% if we don’t win—you owe nothing

You don’t need to pay upfront, and we never charge if there’s no result. That way, you have nothing to lose.

What if it’s not Emirates next time?

If you’re booking future flights and are worried about delays, you might consider airlines with stronger European bases—just in case. But Emirates does have a reputation for punctuality, especially out of hubs like Zurich, Munich, and Vienna.

Still, unexpected events happen. If you need to rebook quickly and Emirates can’t help, try:

• Checking nearby hubs: In Europe, there are always options. Missed a flight from Milan? Look at flights from Venice or even Bologna.

• Combining train + plane: High-speed rail in Europe can get you to alternate airports fast—Paris to Brussels or Milan to Florence takes just hours.

• Booking one-way alternates: If it’s critical, book a refundable or low-cost one-way to avoid being stuck another 24 hours.

Just be sure to document everything—in case your Emirates delay becomes a claimable event.

You don’t need to let delays slide

Your time matters. Your plans matter. And if Emirates caused you to lose half a day or more through a delay they could have prevented, you're not just out of luck—you may be owed money.

The biggest mistake most people make is assuming there's nothing they can do. But that’s not true—especially if you're flying out of Europe. The rules are clear. The compensation amounts are fixed. You just need to file the right claim, with the right data.

Let Trouble Flight take care of the process. No guesswork, no hidden terms. Just your flight number, a few clicks, and we’ll chase the compensation you may be owed—while you move on with your life.

So if your Emirates flight from Europe was delayed, don’t let it be another airport story you tell friends about. Turn it into something that actually gives back what the airline took from your day.