Flight Delay Compensation (EU261)
Delayed or cancelled flight? You could be owed up to £520.
At a Glance
| Difficulty | ⭐ Easy |
| Time to DIY | 30 minutes |
| Payout | £220–£520 per person |
| Time Limit | 6 years |
| Escalation | CAA / PACT / County Court |
What Is It?
Under UK261 (formerly EU261), airlines must pay fixed compensation for:
- Delays of 3+ hours at your final destination
- Cancelled flights with less than 14 days notice
- Denied boarding (e.g., overbooking)
The amount depends on distance, not ticket price – so even cheap flights get the full payout.
Compensation Amounts
| Distance | Delay | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Under 1,500 km | 3+ hours | £220 |
| 1,500–3,500 km | 3+ hours | £350 |
| Over 3,500 km | 3+ hours | £520 |
| Over 3,500 km | 3–4 hours | £260 (50%) |
Per person – a family of four gets 4× the amount.
Am I Eligible?
✅ You're covered if:
- Flight departed from a UK airport (any airline), OR
- Flight arrived at a UK airport on a UK or EU airline
- The delay was 3+ hours at final destination
- The delay was the airline's fault (not "extraordinary circumstances")
❌ You're NOT covered if:
- Delay was due to extraordinary circumstances:
- Severe weather (genuinely unsafe to fly)
- Air traffic control strikes
- Security threats
- Political instability
- Flight was more than 6 years ago
- You were offered re-routing that arrived within threshold
⚠️ Airlines often wrongly claim:
- Technical faults (usually NOT extraordinary – airline is responsible)
- Crew shortages (NOT extraordinary)
- Previous flight delays (NOT extraordinary)
Step-by-Step Process
Step 1: Check Your Flight
- Was it delayed 3+ hours at final destination?
- Does it meet the route requirements?
- When did it happen (within 6 years)?
Step 2: Claim from the Airline
- Use the airline's online complaint form
- Or write to them directly
- State: flight number, date, delay length, claim amount
Step 3: Challenge Rejections
- Airlines often reject valid claims
- Ask for the specific reason for the delay
- If they claim extraordinary circumstances, ask for evidence
Step 4: Escalate If Needed
- UK airlines: CAA Passenger Advice
- EU airlines (UK flights): PACT (Passenger Advice and Complaints Team)
- Court: Small claims (Money Claim Online) for under £10,000
Evidence You'll Need
- Booking confirmation
- Boarding passes
- Flight number and date
- Proof of delay (app screenshot, airport display, emails)
- Receipts for expenses if claiming those too
If the Airline Refuses
Common excuses and responses:
| Airline Says | Your Response |
|---|---|
| "Technical fault" | Technical faults are not extraordinary circumstances (case law: Wallentin-Hermann) |
| "Weather" | Request specific evidence – was it genuinely unsafe to fly? |
| "Air traffic control" | Request EUROCONTROL data – was ATC actually the cause? |
| "Previous flight delayed" | Knock-on delays are the airline's responsibility |
If they still refuse:
- Submit formal complaint
- Escalate to CAA/PACT
- Issue County Court claim
Additional Expenses (Duty of Care)
Separately from compensation, airlines must provide:
- Meals and refreshments during delays
- Hotel accommodation if overnight delay
- Transport to/from hotel
- Communication (phone calls, emails)
If you paid out of pocket, keep receipts and claim these back too.
Common Questions
Q: My flight was 5 years ago – can I still claim?
Yes. The time limit is 6 years in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland (5 years in Scotland).
Q: I booked through a third party – who do I claim from?
Always claim from the airline, not the travel agent or booking site.
Q: My connecting flight was delayed – what counts as the delay?
The delay that matters is at your final destination. If you miss a connection due to the first flight, claim from the airline operating the delayed flight.
Q: Should I use a claims company?
No. It's a simple process and they take 25–35% of your compensation. DIY and keep the full amount.