Originally Posted by
Flightrider
That's not correct. If you are flying with an EU airline, EU261 covers you for both your outward and return flights even if delayed or cancelled when leaving a point outside the EU. If you are flying with a non-EU airline such as American, Delta, Emirates etc and the disruption occurs on a flight departing from a point outside the EU then you are not covered. So if you had a delay on BA from LAX to LHR, you'd be eligible for EU261 but a delay on United on LAX to LHR would not be. It's been a point of contention for EU long-haul airlines ever since the legislation was introduced, but that's the law.