Under UK rules known as UK261, you can usually claim flight delay compensation if your flight left a UK airport, or arrived in the UK on a UK or EU airline, and you reached your final destination three hours or more late for a reason within the airline's control. The amount is fixed by flight distance and delay length. You claim directly from the airline for free.
If you travel for work, you've probably sat in a departure lounge watching the board change from "on time" to "delayed" to "please wait for further information". Most people go home tired and forget about it. Don't. If the delay was long enough and it was the airline's fault, you're often entitled to compensation, and claiming it yourself is usually straightforward.
This guide covers UK flights only. The rules can change, so check the latest guidance on the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) website before you claim.
Are you eligible?
Go through this checklist. If you can tick every box, you've probably got a claim.
- The flight is covered. It departed from a UK airport on any airline, or it arrived in the UK on a UK or EU airline.
- You arrived three hours or more late. What counts is your arrival time at your final destination, not the departure time. Arrival is generally taken as the moment at least one aircraft door opens.
- The delay wasn't caused by extraordinary circumstances. Things like severe weather, air traffic control restrictions, security risks and political unrest usually don't qualify. Technical faults and staffing problems often do, but it depends on the details.
- You had a confirmed booking and checked in on time.
- You're within the time limit. You can usually claim up to six years after the flight in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and up to five years in Scotland.
If you were on connecting flights booked together, it's the delay at your final destination that counts. If your flight was cancelled rather than delayed, different rules apply. I've covered those in my guides to airline responsibilities when flights are cancelled and the flight cancellation compensation claim deadline.
How much depends on distance
Compensation under UK261 isn't based on what you paid for your ticket. It's a fixed amount per passenger, set by two things: how far the flight was and how late you arrived. Longer flights mean higher amounts, and on the longest routes the amount can be reduced if the delay at arrival was shorter.
The amounts are set out on the Civil Aviation Authority website, so check there for the current figures rather than relying on a number you've seen quoted elsewhere.
Your right to care while you wait
This is separate from compensation, and it applies whether or not the delay was the airline's fault. Once a delay passes a certain length, which depends on the flight distance, the airline should look after you. That usually means:
- Meals and refreshments in proportion to the wait, often given as vouchers.
- A way to communicate, such as calls or emails.
- Hotel accommodation and transport to it if you're delayed overnight.
If the airline doesn't provide these, keep your receipts for reasonable costs and claim them back. Reasonable is the key word: a sandwich and a coffee, not a three-course dinner.
How to claim
- Gather your details. Your booking reference, flight number, date of travel and the names of everyone on the booking.
- Note the actual arrival time. Write it down or take a photo of the arrivals board. Flight tracking sites can help you check it later.
- Write to the airline directly. Most airlines have an online claim form. Use it, or email their customer relations team.
- Keep it short. State the facts, say you're claiming under UK261 and ask for the compensation you're entitled to.
- Keep copies of everything. Your claim, any reference number, boarding passes, receipts and replies.
- If they refuse or don't reply within eight weeks, take it to the airline's alternative dispute resolution (ADR) scheme. AviationADR and CEDR are the approved schemes many airlines use. If the airline isn't signed up to one, you can complain to the CAA instead.
- Small claims court as a last resort. If ADR doesn't resolve it, you can take the airline to the small claims court. It's worth getting advice before you do.
A simple claim message you can copy
Adapt this to your own details and send it through the airline's claim form or by email.
"Dear Customer Relations, I'm writing to claim compensation under UK261 for flight [flight number] from [departure airport] to [arrival airport] on [date], booking reference [reference]. The flight arrived at my final destination [number] hours late, at [actual arrival time] instead of [scheduled arrival time]. I'm not aware of any extraordinary circumstances that caused this delay. Please can you confirm the compensation due and pay it to me within 14 days. If you're refusing the claim, please can you explain the specific reason. The passengers on this booking are [names]. Thank you, [your name and contact details]."
Claim companies vs doing it yourself
Claim management companies will chase the airline for you. In return, they take a cut of your compensation, and some add an admin charge on top. Check their terms before you sign anything.
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Doing it yourself is free and, in most cases, it isn't complicated. You fill in a form, wait, and follow up if you need to. A claim company might make sense if you've got a complicated case and no time at all, but for a simple delay most people are better off claiming directly.
If your company paid for the ticket
Business travellers often assume the money belongs to whoever paid. Under UK261, compensation goes to the passenger, because it's for the inconvenience to you, not a refund of the fare. That said, some employers have a travel policy that says otherwise, so check yours before you claim. If you book a lot of work travel, my guide to finding the cheapest business class flights online is worth a read too.
This is general information, not legal advice. If you're unsure about your case, check the CAA guidance or speak to a professional.
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Frequently asked questions
How late does a flight have to be for compensation in the UK?
Under UK261, you usually need to arrive at your final destination three hours or more late, for a reason within the airline's control.
How much flight delay compensation can I get in the UK?
It's a fixed amount set by the flight distance and how late you arrived. The current amounts are set out on the Civil Aviation Authority website.
How far back can I claim flight delay compensation?
Up to six years in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and up to five years in Scotland.
What if the airline rejects my claim?
If the airline says no or doesn't reply within eight weeks, go to its alternative dispute resolution scheme, or the CAA if it isn't in one. The small claims court is a last resort.
Do I get compensation if my employer paid for the flight?
Compensation goes to the passenger, even if a company paid for the ticket. Check your company travel policy in case it says something different.
