airline Flight delay compensation in the UK

Dealing with a delayed flight can be frustrating, but knowing your rights to compensation can make a big difference. Flight delay compensation is designed to help you recover from the inconvenience and additional expenses caused by delays.

Understanding how to navigate the claims process and what you’re entitled to can turn a stressful situation into a manageable one. Whether you’re flying within the UK, across Europe, or internationally, knowing how to claim the compensation you’re due can help ease the burden of unexpected travel disruptions.

What are you entitled to if your flight is delayed?

• Compensation: If your flight is delayed by more than 3 hours, you are entitled to receive financial compensation ranging from £220 to £520, depending on the flight distance.
• Food and drinks: If the delay is 2 hours or more, the airline is required to provide you with meals and drinks free of charge.
• Accommodation: If the delay extends to the following day, the airline must cover the costs of accommodation and transportation between the airport and the place of lodging.

At Flight Compensation King we think that if you’re stuck and inconvenienced at an airport due to a fault of the airline, you shouldn’t be the one out of pocket. That’s why we’re on a mission to help air passengers. Both by educating passengers on the rights in case they are entitled of a flight delay compensation, and building technology to make claiming easier.

“UK 261” regulations: When can passengers claim compensation for delayed flights

For Brexit, the UK introduced legislation to match the European law EC 261, ensuring passengers on UK flights receive the same protections as those in the EU.

This means if your flight is delayed into or out of the UK, you could be entitled to up to £520 in flight delay compensation.

Both UK law and EC 261 say you can file a delayed flight claim for cash compensation if:

• You arrive at your destination more than three hours later than planned.

• You have checked in for your flight on time (generally no less than 45 minutes before departure).

• You encountered these problems on a flight operated no more than three years ago.

• The airline is responsible for the delay (e.g. operational circumstances and technical difficulties).

• Your flight took off in the EU or UK (flights into either also qualify in some cases)
• It doesn’t matter whether the airline has already provided you with food, refreshment or travel vouchers.


UK flight delay compensation after Brexit

Previously, the UK’s flight delay compensation rules were governed by the European Union’s EC261 regulations. However, when the UK left the EU in 2020, there was uncertainty about whether these regulations would remain in force.

Post-Brexit Changes

As of January 2021, the UK applies its own version of the EC261 regulation, ensuring that claims for airline delay compensation can still be made against UK carriers. This UK legislation mirrors the European EC261 law, meaning there has been no significant change to passenger rights following Brexit.

Continuity of Passenger Rights

Despite Brexit, the UK’s adoption of the EC261 regulation guarantees that passengers retain the same level of protection and rights for flight delay compensation as they had under EU law.

Which flights are covered for UK citizens?

Regardless of your place of residence, if you are departing from an airport in the UK, or flying into the UK on a UK or EU airline, you can make a claim for flight delay compensation under UK 261.

Itinerary	UK or EU airline	Other airline
Departure from a UK airport	✔️ Covered	✔️ Covered
Arrival at a UK airport	✔️ Covered	❌ Not Covered

Let’s break down the details of flight delay compensation in the UK, specifying the amount by distance and type of flight:

Less than 3 hours	3 – 4 hours	More than 4 hours	Never arrived	Distance
❌ £ –	✔️ £220	✔️ £220	✔️ £220	Flights 1,500 km or less
❌ £ –	✔️ £350	✔️ £350	✔️ £350	Flights 1,500 km to 3,500 km
❌ £ –	✔️ £260	✔️ £520	✔️ £520	Flights over 3,500 km

How is flight delay compensation calculated?

When claiming airline compensation for a flight delay in the UK, it’s crucial to understand that compensation eligibility is based on the time you arrive at your final destination. Even if your flight takes off late, the airline might still make up time during the flight.

What is a flight’s “arrival time”?

In September 2014, the European Court of Justice, whose rulings are incorporated into UK law, defined “arrival time” as the moment when the aircraft reaches its final destination and one of its doors is opened. This definition is important because it marks the point at which passengers are allowed to leave the aircraft.

Why is this important for claiming compensation?

The distinction between landing time and the actual arrival time—when the door opens—can sometimes be a difference of 15 minutes or more. This difference is crucial for accurately calculating your eligibility for plane delay compensation.

Understanding these nuances ensures you correctly assess your entitlement to airline delay compensation and maximize the compensation you can claim for your delayed flight.

How long can a flight be delayed without compensation? Three full hours.

Other rights provided by airlines during a flight delay

Under UK law, when your flight is delayed for more than three hours beyond the original scheduled departure time, you are entitled to several essential services, known as the “right to care.” These services include:

• Meals and refreshments: Airlines must provide meals and refreshments during the delay.
• Communications: Access to communications, including two telephone calls, telex or fax messages, and emails.
• Accommodation and transport: If overnight accommodation is necessary, the airline must provide a hotel room and transportation to and from the airport.

Accessing your right to care

Understanding when to claim your right to care is crucial:

• Flights less than 1,500 km: Request food and drinks after a two-hour delay.
• Flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km: Request services after a three-hour delay.
• Flights over 3,500 km: Request services after a four-hour delay.

Airlines might not always offer these services immediately, so it’s important to assert your rights and request your entitlements if they’re not provided.

Reimbursement or re-routing: Delays over five hours

If your flight is delayed for more than five hours and you no longer wish to travel, you have the right to:

• Cancel your flight: The airline must refund the cost of your ticket.
• Return to your departure point: If you have already travelled but don’t wish to continue to your destination, the airline must provide alternative transportation back to your point of departure at the earliest opportunity.

Upgrading and downgrading

Further compensation

Compensation for business travelers and public officials

Contrary to some beliefs, the passenger who experienced the delay is entitled to plane delay compensation, not the employer who paid for the ticket. This principle applies regardless of whether the traveler is a private-sector employee or a public official. Knowing your rights ensures you can effectively claim late flight compensation and receive the benefits you’re entitled to in the event of a flight delay.

Obligation to inform passengers of their rights

Airlines are obliged to inform passengers about their rights and the content of EC 261. This means that every airline has to display information on passenger’s rights at check-in counters.

Compensation for UK delayed flight: Cash or flight vouchers?

When your flight is delayed, your airline may offer you compensation in the form of flight vouchers. Of course when you’re tired and frustrated and someone is offering you a voucher for a new flight, it’s very hard to say ‘no’.

However, you should check that by accepting a voucher, you’re not waiving your right to claim for the compensation you’re legally entitled to. UK and EU regulations clearly state that compensation should be paid in cash, electronic transfer or cheques, unless the passenger chooses to accept travel vouchers instead.

Essentially, it’s your choice as to whether to accept the vouchers or not.

But you must remember that it’s worth finding out what you might be entitled to if you refuse the airline’s offer and insist on cash instead.

Most people don’t know their rights on what compensation they’re owed. We surveyed European air travelers and found that 85% don’t know their rights.

Does snow count as a serious adverse weather condition?

It depends whether or not the airline could have prevented the problem.

If, for example, the airline failed to ensure that there were sufficient supplies of de-icer before the onset of winter, it could be held responsible for the delay – especially if flights operated by other airlines were able to depart on time.

Airline strikes do not fall under extraordinary circumstances

In 2022 the UK Court of Appeal ruled that internal strikes by airline staff are not extraordinary circumstances.

Therefore, airlines must compensate air passengers for flight delays and cancellations, when an airline strike is to blame.

Compensation flight delay in UK: Missing a connecting flight

With travelers flying further afield than ever, it’s not unusual for a flight to have one (or more) stops, or connections, on the way.
And if any one of those flights are delayed it can cause you to miss your connection and throw the whole journey into chaos.

Firstly, if you do miss a connection because of a delayed flight, it is the airline’s responsibility to find you a replacement to the final destination on your ticket.

In addition you could be entitled to compensation under UK laws. If the time you arrive at your final destination is over three hours later than your original flight, you could claim up to £520.

It’s important that your flights are booked together and part of the same journey. If you booked your own onward flight separately, that would not be covered.

You can read a lot more information on our missed connection advice page.

What to do when your flight is delayed in the UK

When your flight is delayed, you should be advised by the airline on the next steps.

Many airlines will provide vouchers for you to buy food and drink, and if your flight is delayed to the next day, they may book a hotel if you need accommodation.

If you’ve just found out your flight is delayed and your airline isn’t communicating well, don’t stress. Follow our easy step-by-step guide on how to make the best out of the situation.

Flight delay: checklist for making a claim

• Hold onto your boarding pass and all other travel documents.
• Ask why the flight was delayed.

• Gather proof of the delay (photos of the departure board or communications from the airline) confirming the disruption and make a note of the arrival time at your destination.
• Ask the airline to pay for your meals and refreshments.

• Don’t sign anything or accept any offers that may waive your rights.

• Choose to wait it out or call it off if your delay is more than five hours.
• If needed, get the airline to provide you with a hotel room.


• Keep your receipts if your delayed flight ends up costing you extra money.


How to claim flight delay compensation with Flight Compensation King

We understand that many air passengers do not have the time, experience or inclination to fight with airlines in order to make a delayed flight claim for the compensation they’re owed.

Flight Compensation King is able to submit claims on passengers’ behalf:

• We’ll tell you quickly if we think you’re eligible for compensation.
• We’ll handle all communication with the airline.
• There’s no risk, we only charge a fee when we’re successful in getting your compensation.

Documents you need to claim flight delay compensation

Airlines have different procedures and required documents in order to make a delayed flight claim. The best advice is to hold on to all documents if your flight is delayed.

One of the advantages of filing a claim with Flight Compensation King, is we know exactly what each airline will require. We’ll help you to find the right documents when you kick off your claim.

If you’re going to file directly with an airline, you can expect some pushback. Even with the law on your side, they might not be enthusiastic – or quick – about paying you. To give your claim the best chance of succeeding, make sure you gather together all the documentation you can.