Real redress, in order

1. The airline, through its own form

   Straight away

   This is the compulsory starting point, and the official EU page says so bluntly. Quote the Regulation, the booking reference, the distance and the amount claimed. Attach the cancellation message and the receipts.

   Air passenger rights (Your Europe, European Union)

2. The national body of the country where it happened

   After 2 months with no reply

   With no reply after two months, or with a reply that does not satisfy you, you lodge a complaint with the body designated by that country. The national authority should provide you with a non-binding legal opinion on how to proceed with your claim. The European Commission publishes the list of all twenty-seven.

   National enforcement bodies (European Commission)

3. The European Consumer Centre in your country

   At any time

   The official EU page points you to your local European Consumer Centre for help and advice on problems related to air passenger rights.

   European Consumer Centres Network (ECC-Net)

4. The European Small Claims Procedure

   Last

   A written procedure, provided by EU law for cross-border claims. The Regulation that sets it up states in black and white that representation by a lawyer or another legal professional is not mandatory.

   Small claims (e-Justice portal, European Union)

The time limits for suing an airline in court are set by national rules: this site does not cover them, because it only presents the European baseline common to all twenty-seven.