ITA Airways is a fairly popular airline for air passengers to and from Italy. The carrier flew more than 9 million passengers in the year after it launched. That said, while the carrier (part-owned by the Lufthansa Group since January 2025) holds promise, some of its flights run late: on flight AZ609 from New York to Rome, for example, FlightStats rated 18% of flights as excessively delayed between mid-August and mid-October 2026. However, as a passenger, you paid for timely arrival, and EC 261/2004 protects you and entitles you to compensation if you arrive late.
You are entitled to ITA Airways delay compensation if you experience delays or any other inconvenience. Understanding your rights can bring as much as 600 EUR in compensation, depending on the length of the journey. Read our article and find out how to claim what you are due!
01What Are Your Rights with ITA Airways?
ITA Airways is Italy’s flag carrier, going across numerous companies in the EU and beyond. While the highest frequency of flights (and therefore, compensation claims) are to and from the UK, the carrier has flights connecting to the US and other international regions.
As an EU carrier, if your flight is delayed by 3 hours or more, EC 261/2004 kicks in, entitling passengers to compensation. The reimbursement amount depends on the distance you travel, as international flights get more compensation if the distance is longer. According to EC 261, you can get the following amounts:
| Flight Type | Distance | Compensation Amount |
| Short Haul | 1,500 km or less | 250 EUR |
| Medium Haul | 1,500 – 3,500 km | 400 EUR |
| Long Haul | 3,500 km or more | 600 EUR |
Keep in mind that the compensation you get does not include the ITA Airways refund in the event of a cancellation. Should you spend unnecessary money on food, accommodation, and transportation, ITA Airways is expected to pay for that as well (within the limits of common sense).
02Steps to Get ITA Airways Compensation
If you have a flight delayed more than 3 hours with ITA Airways, your rights for compensation become active. However, the airline will not give you the money without you asking for it, as it is not in their interest to pay you. You can use companies such as StopDelay to determine whether or not you are in the right, after which you can go through the following steps:
Document the Incident
Like every compensation or insurance event, you must offer proof of the incident. No matter if it was an ITA Airways flight cancellation or a delay, you need to take pictures of the board, screen captures of the messages from the airline, or any other sort of proof of the incident. This should strengthen your case and potentially secure your compensation.
Gather the Documents
Documents such as the ticket, boarding pass, passport, and receipts will not only prove that you were supposed to be on the flight, but that you also made an investment. While a good flight delay company can help you obtain compensation even if one document is missing (e.g., your boarding pass), keeping all paperwork safe until you get home is recommended.
Don’t Voluntarily Give Up Your Seat
Sometimes, in the event of issues such as denied boarding because of overbooking, the airline can try to convince you to give up your seat. Keep in mind that if you voluntarily accept, you forego the right to file for compensation. Only do so if the alternatives and vouchers they offer in return are suitable for your needs.
File for Compensation
With everything now gathered, it is time to file for flight compensation. You may try to do it yourself with the airline, but it’s better to go through a professional. They can handle the paperwork and legal matters, saving you time and stress.
03The Bottom Line
Flying with ITA Airways, while satisfying most of the time, can end up with unnecessary delays. Should you experience any issues, you need to take the steps to secure your compensation. Companies such as StopDelay can help!
