What is flight delay compensation?
UK passenger-rights rules can protect travellers when flights are delayed, cancelled or overbooked. Depending on the journey and the reason for the disruption, you may be entitled to care at the airport, a refund or rerouting, and in some cases fixed financial compensation.
When could UK261 apply?
UK261 can cover many flights departing from the UK and certain flights arriving in the UK or EU on UK/EU airlines. Your exact eligibility depends on where the flight started, where it ended and which airline operated it.
How much could compensation be?
These figures are a general guide for eligible UK261 delay claims. Cancellation and denied-boarding cases can involve additional timing rules.
Your right to care while you wait
Even when fixed compensation is not payable, the airline may still have duties to look after you during a significant delay. Depending on the flight distance and waiting time, this can include reasonable food and drink, communications, hotel accommodation when an overnight stay is needed, and transport between the airport and accommodation.
What should you keep?
What are extraordinary circumstances?
Airlines generally do not have to pay fixed compensation where the disruption was caused by extraordinary circumstances outside their responsibility and could not reasonably have been avoided. Examples can include severe weather, air-traffic-control restrictions and some security events. Each case must be considered on its own facts.
How to make a claim
- Check the journey. Confirm the airline, route, date and final arrival delay.
- Check the cause. Find out what the airline says caused the disruption.
- Gather evidence. Keep booking documents, messages, receipts and any written explanation.
- Submit the claim. Use the airline's preferred process or a claims service if you choose to use one.
- Keep records. Save copies of submissions and responses.
- Review any rejection. If the airline refuses the claim, check the reason and available escalation routes.
Want the full guide to keep?
Download the expanded PDF version with compensation tables, airport-care rights, evidence checklist, cancellations, denied boarding and common questions.