Early flight departure compensation and/or refund
If your flight departed earlier than scheduled, you may be eligible for compensation of up to £520 and/or a refund under EU and British regulations.
You may be eligible for compensation and/or a refund if your condition falls under one of the following conditions:
The flight departed at least 1 hour before the scheduled departure, and the notice of the change has been made fewer than 7 days before the departure; OR,
The flight departed at least 2 hours before the scheduled departure, and the notice of the change has been made fewer than 14 days before the departure.
According to British and EU regulations, an early departed flight that falls under the conditions above is considered a “cancelled” flight. Therefore, passengers have the right to receive compensation and/or a refund following the regulations for flight cancellation compensation.
The airline must be the party responsible for the flight disruption for passengers to be able to get flight compensation (see the “Extraordinary Circumstances” section of this article to learn more).
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Compensation for early departed flights outside of Europe
Even if you experienced an early flight departure when your trip was outside of Europe, you may still be entitled to compensation.
Most flights flying from or to the UK and the EU are protected under the regulations, as long as your early departed flight meets one of the following criteria:
Your flight departs from an EU airport, OR,
Your flight departs from an airport outside of the EU and it’s operated by an EU airline.
See the table below for more information:
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 |
|
Early departure flight compensation amount
The compensation amount for early departures is based on the distance of the flight:
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%.
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Claim flight compensation for your early departed flight
Don’t want to go through the long and complicated process yourself? Flight-Delayed.co.uk is your best solution to claim compensation! Flight-Delayed.co.uk is a leading compensation company that specialises in helping passengers who experience flight disruptions, including early departures, to receive the compensation they are entitled to.
Working with Flight-Delayed.co.uk is a straightforward and hassle-free process. You simply need to submit your flight details and relevant documentation, and our team of legal experts will take care of the rest. With a success rate of over 98%, Flight-Delayed.co.uk is the best solution for passengers seeking compensation for early departures.
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Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Can the airline deny my compensation claim? – extraordinary circumstances
Yes, the airline can deny your claim if the early departure was caused by extraordinary circumstances beyond their control, such as severe weather conditions, security risks, or air traffic control restrictions.
Here are some other common examples of extraordinary circumstances:
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.
If you are unsure of whether your situation falls under extraordinary circumstances, you can seek legal help from Flight-Delayed.co.uk by taking 5 minutes to fill in the free, no-obligation Claim Calculator! No win, no fee!
What documents do I need to file a claim for compensation?
To file a claim for compensation, you need to provide the following details:
Your ID or passport
Your boarding pass or e-ticket
You may also need to provide additional information, such as proof of expenses incurred as a result of the delay, including hotel bills or transportation receipts.
What is the deadline for filing a flight compensation claim?
The deadline for filing a claim for compensation depends on the country where the flight departed from or arrived in, as well as where your airline is based in. If your journey involves the UK, then you have up to 6 years to file a claim. For most EU countries, the time limit usually ranges from 1 to 3 years.
If you don’t know if you are still eligible for compensation, you can check it now with our free Claim Calculator! Our legal team will examine your claim and help you determine if you're eligible.
How long does it take to receive compensation?
The time it takes to receive compensation can vary depending on the specific circumstances of your claim and the airline's response. In most cases, it takes a few weeks to a few months for you to receive your compensation. However, this is only when the airline makes a fast response and when no further legal action is required. For more complicated cases, it can take up to a year or two years.
How does Flight-Delayed.co.uk help me with my compensation claim?
Flight-Delayed.co.uk can help you file a claim for compensation by reviewing your case, gathering the necessary evidence, and communicating with the airline on your behalf. Our team of legal experts has over 10 years of extensive experience in handling claims and dealing with the airline. We can help you navigate the process to maximise your chances of receiving compensation.
Is there a fee for using Flight-Delayed.co.uk to file my claim?
Flight-Delayed.co.uk operates on a "no win, no fee" basis, which means that there is no upfront cost for using their services. They only charge a fee if your claim is successful, and the fee is deducted from the compensation you receive. The fee is 29% of the compensation amount, plus VAT.
Useful links
- 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