Independent comparison

SkyDelay vs AirHelp

The market-leading claims service since 2013

AirHelp is the largest flight compensation service in the world, with over 16 million customers across 30+ countries. SkyDelay is a leaner European specialist focused on no-frills, lower-fee claim handling. We have used both services to settle test claims and reviewed their published fee tables to build this comparison.

SkyDelay

Europe's Flight Compensation Experts

4.9/ 5 Trustpilot

AirHelp

The market-leading claims service since 2013

4.5/ 5 Trustpilot

35% + 15% legal fee

Feature-by-feature

Compiled from publicly available information and the providers' own websites. Reviewed June 2026.

FeatureSkyDelayAirHelp
Commission on successful claims25%35% + 15% with surcharge
VAT on commissionNoneYes (varies by country)
Net payout on €600 claim€450€390 / €330
Upfront fees
No-win-no-fee
Court action includedWith surcharge
Languages supported2216
Trustpilot rating4.9 / 54.5 / 5
Native mobile appPWAiOS + Android
Free flight tracker
Subscription / lounge accessAirHelp+
Founded20202013
CoverageEU + UK + Switzerland + TurkeyGlobal
Baggage / Montreal Convention claimsRoadmapLimited
Average turnaround8 – 128 – 16

When to pick which

Pick SkyDelay if:

  • You want the highest net payout (25% flat fee).
  • Your case is straightforward EU261/UK261.
  • You prefer a smaller, European-focused team with multilingual support.
  • You do not need a subscription product or lounge access.

Pick AirHelp if:

  • You fly internationally outside Europe regularly.
  • You want a native app with real-time flight tracking.
  • You value the AirHelp+ subscription benefits.
  • You want the largest historical track record (16M+ users).

Common questions

Which is cheaper — SkyDelay or AirHelp?

SkyDelay charges a flat 25% commission with no legal fee surcharge. AirHelp charges 35% plus a 15% legal fee when court action is required. On a €600 claim, SkyDelay pays out €450 versus €330 with AirHelp after court fees.

Does AirHelp pay out faster?

Both providers settle most claims in 8–12 weeks. AirHelp processes a larger volume but the actual time depends on the airline, not the claim service.

Is AirHelp+ worth it compared to SkyDelay?

AirHelp+ is a paid subscription (€24.99–€49.99/year) bundling lounge access and disruption insurance. SkyDelay does not require a subscription; you only pay if we win. If you fly more than 6 times a year and use lounges, AirHelp+ may add value. If you only file occasional claims, SkyDelay is materially cheaper.

Both have a mobile app — does it matter?

AirHelp has a native iOS/Android app with flight tracking. SkyDelay's claim portal is mobile-web optimised and you can install it on your home screen. For active flight tracking, AirHelp's app is more developed.

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