My flight is delayed right now — what should I do?

What they owe you right now (Article 9 — cause doesn't matter)

• Meals and refreshments once the delay hits 2 hours (short flights), 3 hours (medium) or 4 hours (long) — ask at the desk; they often wait to be asked.
• Two free communications — calls or emails.
• A hotel and transport to it if the delay pushes overnight.
• From 5 hours: the right to abandon the trip and get the ticket refunded.

The 30-second evidence kit

• Photograph the departure board showing the delay.
• Screenshot every SMS/email/app notification from the airline — especially any stated reason.
• Keep receipts for anything you buy while waiting: meals, taxis, a hotel. Care expenses can be recoverable on top of compensation.
• Note what staff say about the cause. "Crew problem" and "technical fault" are not valid excuses under the case law — what they tell you now matters later.

The two things not to do

• Don't accept a voucher in place of money — Article 7(3) requires your signed agreement for non-cash compensation, and vouchers offered in the chaos are usually worth less than your entitlement.
• Don't sign anything that waives claims or assigns your claim to anyone — including "help" desks operated by claim agencies inside some airports.

Then, once you've landed

If the doors opened 3+ hours late at your final destination, you're likely owed €250–600 per person. Check it free in two minutes — the checker reads the real flight data, so you don't need to remember anything except your flight number.