Is my flight delayed or cancelled?
We advise every air passenger to check the status of their flight before heading to the airport in order to avoid any unforeseen problems. There are a few ways to check, including the airport’s website, the airline’s website, or flight tracking websites.
Airlines flight delayed — claim flight compensation
If your flight is delayed, you may be entitled to compensation of up to £520 per passenger from the airline. The airline may also be required to provide you with food, drink, and accommodation if the delay is long enough.
To claim compensation for a delayed flight, you should check if your flight falls under the criteria below:
Your flight must be delayed so that you arrived at the destination at least 3 hours behind the schedule, AND,
Your flight must be delayed because of the airline.
If the delay was caused by an “extraordinary circumstance”, such as severe weather or a security threat, the airline may not be required to pay compensation.
Airlines flight cancelled — compensation and refund policies
If your flight is cancelled, the airline is required to provide you with a full refund or an alternative flight. You may also be entitled to compensation of up to £520 per passenger, depending on the reason for the cancellation and how much notice the airline gave you.
To be eligible for the refund and/or compensation, your flight must meet both of the following criteria:
Your flight must be cancelled within 14 days of the scheduled departure date, AND,
The reason for the cancellation was at fault of the airline.
If the cancellation was caused by an “extraordinary circumstance“, such as severe weather or a security threat, the airline may not be required to pay compensation.
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How much flight compensation can I get from the airline for my delayed or cancelled flight?
The amount of compensation you are eligible to receive depends on the distance of your flight.
Read the following for more details:
For flights shorter than 1,500 km, the compensation is £220.
For flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km, the compensation is £350.
For flights of over 1,500 kilometres within the EU, the compensation is also £350.
For flights of over 3,500 kilometres outside of the EU, the compensation is £520 —but if your flight was delayed by fewer than 4 hours, the total amount might be reduced by 50%.
To determine the exact amount of compensation you are entitled to, you can use our free, no-obligation flight compensation calculator. Our legal expert will examine your case and handle the claim process for you.
How to claim flight compensation for my delayed/cancelled flight?
If your flight has been delayed or cancelled, you can claim compensation from the airline. Here are the steps you should take:
Collect your flight details: Make sure you have your flight number, date of travel, and booking confirmation to hand.
Keep all relevant documentation: Make sure to keep all documentation related to your flight, including boarding passes and receipts.
Check your eligibility: Use our flight compensation calculator to check if you are eligible for compensation.
Consider legal help: If you are eligible for compensation and/or refund, our legal experts with over a decade of experience can assist you in a hassle-free experience with claiming compensation from the airline.
It's important to note that there is a time limit for submitting your claim, so it's best to start the process as soon as possible after your flight has been delayed or cancelled. Read more about the time limits in the later section
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I am flying from a non-UK or non-EU airport, am I still eligible for compensation?
Yes, you may still be eligible for compensation if you are flying from a non-UK or non-EU airport and your flight is delayed or cancelled. However, eligibility may vary depending on the airline and the specific circumstances of your flight.
If you are flying with a non-UK/EU airline, you may still be eligible for compensation if you depart from a UK/EU airport. If you are flying from a non-UK/EU airport with a non-UK/EU airline, you may not be eligible for compensation.
See the table below for some examples:
Can I claim compensation for a flight outside of Europe?
Flying with a British carrier
Tokyo to London with British Airways
Flying with an EU carrier
Amsterdam to London with KLM
Flying with a non-UK/non-EU carrier from the UK
London to Tokyo with Japan Airlines
Flying with a non-UK/non-EU carrier to the UK
Tokyo to London with Japan Airlines
| Type of flight | Example | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Flying with a British carrier | Tokyo to London with British Airways |
|
| Flying with an EU carrier | Amsterdam to London with KLM |
|
| Flying with a non-UK/non-EU carrier from the UK | London to Tokyo with Japan Airlines |
|
| Flying with a non-UK/non-EU carrier to the UK | Tokyo to London with Japan Airlines |
|
Delays and cancellations: can the airline deny my claim?
In certain situations, airlines may be able to deny your claim for compensation for a delayed or cancelled flight. These situations are known as " extraordinary circumstances. " and refer to events that are beyond the control of the airline.
Examples of extraordinary circumstances are as follows:
Bad weather conditions, such as thick fog, heavy rain, or thunderstorms.
A strike, most often specifically within the aviation industry (for example, a strike of air traffic control workers at a specific airport).
However, a strike of the airline's crew is not considered an extraordinary circumstance!
Political circumstances, such as a terrorist attack or general security risk due to political unrest.
Natural disasters, including volcanic eruptions and hurricanes.
A collision between the aircraft and birds or other foreign objects.
An ill or unruly passenger.
Flight delays caused by the airport staff, such as extraordinarily long queues to security checks.
However, it's important to note that airlines may sometimes use extraordinary circumstances excuse to avoid paying compensation. It's important to understand your rights as a passenger and to seek legal advice if you feel that your claim for compensation has been unjustly denied.
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How much time do I have to submit my flight compensation claim?
The time limit for submitting a flight compensation claim varies depending on the country where the airline is based, and the locations of your itinerary.
In the UK, for example, passengers have up to six years to make a claim for a delayed or cancelled flight, while in other EU countries, the limit ranges between 6 months to 10 years.
For example, you have 5 years to submit your flight compensation claim in France, but you have only 1 year in Belgium.
Useful links
Do you still have questions and doubts regarding your right to compensation and/or refund? Follow the links below for more information!
- More details on delayed flight compensation
- More details on cancelled flight compensation
- Post-Brexit flight compensation rules in the UK
- Rules regarding missed flight compensation
- Rules regarding flight compensation in the case of denied boarding
- Claim Calculator — check if you are eligible for compensation
Airlines in the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom has a number of major airlines that offer domestic and international flights. Under British regulations, you have the right to compensation as long as you are flying with a UK or EU flight carrier. If you fly with a non-UK/EU carrier, you have to depart from a UK/EU destination in order to claim compensation.
List of UK airlines:
Airlines in Europe
Europe is home to many airlines, both low-cost and full-service carriers. The top-ranking European airlines include British Airways, KLM, Air France, EasyJet, and Emirates.
Under EU261, you have the right to compensation as long as you are flying with a UK or EU flight carrier. If you fly with a non-UK/EU carrier, you have to depart from a UK/EU destination in order to claim compensation.
List of European airlines:
Airlines in other regions of the world
When it comes to airlines in other regions of the world, there are countless airlines operating. However, your rights are not necessarily protected if you fly outside of the UK or Europe. If you are flying with an airline not based in the UK or EU, you can only get flight compensation if your flight departs from a UK or EU airport.
List of Middle Eastern airlines:
List of Asian airlines:
List of African airlines:
List of North American airlines:
List of South American airlines:
List of Australian airlines: