AirHelp is the only app in WhistleOut's roundup of the best flight tracking apps that doesn't track flights at all. What it does is handle the paperwork for flight compensation claims when your flight is significantly delayed or canceled. But there's a catch buried in the terms of service that's caused real frustration on Reddit, and it's worth understanding before you submit anything.
Free to download for iOS and Android.
Takes a percentage of any compensation recovered.
What is AirHelp?
AirHelp is a flight compensation claims service that acts as a middleman between you and the airline when a delayed or canceled flight has left you out of pocket. You submit your flight details, AirHelp assesses whether you're owed compensation under applicable regulations (EU261 is the most commonly cited), and they handle the filing and follow-up on your behalf.
If they recover money for you, they take a percentage. If nothing comes through, you don't pay anything.
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Easy to start, difficult to actually get money
The app experience itself is pleasant; it's simple and clearly labeled. Start by entering your flight number and travel date. AirHelp checks whether your delay or cancellation qualifies for compensation, and you submit your claim through the app. It walks you through the process step by step without requiring you to know anything about passenger rights law.
AirHelp makes claims simple. Not everyone knows what they're entitled to when a flight goes wrong, and most people don't have the patience to pursue an airline through official channels on their own. AirHelp removes the friction from a process that's deliberately made difficult.
Image: Jessica Santero | WhistleOut
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Beware the tricky fine print
There is some sneaky fine print when you submit a claim in AirHelp, though. Once you open a case with AirHelp, you cannot withdraw it. Even if you later resolve your compensation directly with the airline, AirHelp's terms state that they are still owed their percentage cut. You cannot pass the case to another firm, and you cannot close it.
This came up repeatedly in a Reddit thread on r/travel, where users warned each other about cases that had been open for years with no payout and no way to exit the agreement. One commenter waited nearly three years and still had no resolution.
What does Reddit think about AirHelp?
The warnings on r/travel are consistent and hard to ignore. u/Fun-Title4224 cautioned, "AirHelp have a clause which says that once a case is given to them, you still owe them regardless of who completes it. This stops people passing a case to multiple firms. There is no way out of this contract."
Check your details before downloading
Before reaching for AirHelp, it's worth checking your own travel benefits and whether your airline will compensate you directly.
Many travel credit cards include built-in flight delay and cancellation protection that pays out directly without a middleman or a commission. If your card has that benefit, use it. Alternatively, you can file a claim with the airline directly. It takes more effort, but you keep 100% of whatever you recover.
AirHelp is most useful when you're dealing with a complex claim, the airline is unresponsive, or you simply don't want to handle it yourself. In those cases, a percentage cut for someone else doing the legwork is a fair trade. Just make sure you understand that once you hand it over, you can't take it back.
How WhistleOut reviews apps
Our mobile experts test apps firsthand and cross-reference user experiences before recommending them. For AirHelp, we evaluated the claims process, terms of service, and real-world user outcomes.
- Hands-on testing
We tested AirHelp's claims interface on both iOS and Android. - Honest assessment
We surface the terms and conditions details that aren't prominently disclosed upfront. - User safety
We flag contractual clauses that could catch users off guard after signing up.
AirHelp: FAQ
Is AirHelp legitimate?
Yes, AirHelp is a legitimate claims service that has recovered compensation for many passengers.
How much does AirHelp charge?
AirHelp works on a commission basis. They take a percentage of whatever compensation they recover for you. If your claim isn't successful, you don't pay anything. The exact percentage depends on the case and the region.
Can I cancel a claim with AirHelp after submitting?
No, AirHelp's terms include a clause that prevents you from withdrawing a case once it's been submitted, even if you later settle directly with the airline. This is a significant commitment to understand before you start the process.
What's the difference between AirHelp and filing a claim directly with the airline?
Filing directly with the airline lets you keep 100% of any compensation you recover and stay in control of the process. AirHelp is easier and handles the follow-up for you, but charges a percentage and locks you into a contract you can't cancel.
Jessica Santero
Staff Writer
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