How much compensation can I get for a delayed flight?

Under UK261 rules, you can claim £220 for short-haul flights (under 1,500km) delayed by 3+ hours, £350 for medium-haul flights (1,500–3,500km) delayed by 3+ hours, and £520 for long-haul flights (over 3,500km) delayed by 4+ hours. These amounts are fixed by law and are in addition to any expenses the airline must cover (meals, hotel). The delay is measured by arrival time at your final destination, not departure time.

Can I claim for a flight from years ago?

Yes — you can claim for flights delayed up to 6 years ago in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, or 5 years in Scotland. Many people don't realise they were owed compensation at the time. You'll need your booking reference or confirmation email. The same rules and amounts apply retrospectively.

What if the airline says it was 'extraordinary circumstances'?

Airlines can refuse compensation if the delay was caused by 'extraordinary circumstances' outside their control — such as severe weather, air traffic control strikes, political instability, or security risks. However, technical faults, crew shortages, and operational problems are NOT extraordinary circumstances (confirmed by court rulings). If the airline claims extraordinary circumstances and you disagree, you can escalate to the Civil Aviation Authority or take the case to small claims court.

Does this apply to all airlines?

UK261 applies to all flights departing from a UK airport (regardless of airline) and to flights arriving in the UK on a UK or EU carrier. It does not apply to flights arriving in the UK on a non-UK, non-EU airline (e.g. a US airline flying New York to London). EU Regulation 261/2004 applies separately to flights within the EU — if you flew from an EU airport, you may claim under EU rules instead.

Flight Delay Compensation UK — How to Claim Up to £520 | PocketWise

If your flight was delayed by 3 or more hours, cancelled, or you were denied boarding, you may be entitled to fixed compensation of up to £520 per person. Here’s how to claim.

How Much Compensation Are You Owed?

Flight distance	Delay required	Compensation
Short-haul (under 1,500km)	3+ hours	£220
Medium-haul (1,500–3,500km)	3+ hours	£350
Long-haul (over 3,500km)	3+ hours arrival delay	£520
Long-haul (over 3,500km)	3–4 hours arrival delay	£260 (reduced by 50%)

The delay is measured at arrival — when the aircraft doors open at your final destination, not when the plane lands or when it was scheduled to depart.

Common Route Examples

Route	Distance category	Compensation
London – Edinburgh	Short-haul	£220
London – Paris	Short-haul	£220
London – Barcelona	Medium-haul	£350
London – Tenerife	Medium-haul	£350
London – New York	Long-haul	£520
London – Dubai	Long-haul	£520
Manchester – Antalya	Medium-haul	£350
Edinburgh – Amsterdam	Short-haul	£220

When Can You Claim?

Eligible Flights

Flight type	Covered by UK261?
Departing from a UK airport (any airline)	Yes
Arriving in the UK on a UK/EU airline	Yes
Arriving in the UK on a non-UK, non-EU airline	No
Connecting flights booked on one ticket, starting from UK	Yes — compensation based on final destination delay
Separate bookings for connecting flights	Each leg assessed separately

Eligible Situations

Situation	Can you claim?
Flight delayed 3+ hours	Yes
Flight cancelled (less than 14 days’ notice)	Yes
Denied boarding (overbooking)	Yes
Missed connection due to first flight delay (one booking)	Yes — based on final arrival time
Flight delayed 2 hours	No — must be 3+ hours
You missed the flight yourself	No
Package holiday flight delayed	Yes — same rules apply

Extraordinary Circumstances — When Airlines DON’T Have to Pay

Extraordinary (airline exempt)	NOT extraordinary (airline must pay)
Severe weather (storm, heavy snow, volcanic ash)	Technical/mechanical fault
Air traffic control restrictions	Crew sickness or shortage
Political instability or security threat	Late arrival of aircraft from previous flight
Airport closure	Fuelling problems
Bird strike (debated — often ruled extraordinary)	IT system failure
Strike by ATC staff	Staff strike by the airline’s own employees
Medical emergency (passenger)	Cleaning or catering delays
Lightning strike damage	Baggage loading problems

Key court rulings: Technical faults are NOT extraordinary circumstances — airlines are expected to maintain their aircraft (Huzar v Jet2, 2014). Crew sickness is NOT extraordinary unless caused by something genuinely unforeseeable.

How to Claim — Step by Step

Step	What to do
1	Gather your evidence — booking confirmation, boarding pass, flight number, delay length
2	Check the delay length — use FlightStats or FlightAware to confirm actual arrival time
3	Write to the airline — use their complaints/claims form on their website
4	State your legal right — reference UK261 (or EU261 for EU-departing flights)
5	Include flight details — flight number, date, booked time, actual arrival time, booking reference
6	Request fixed compensation — state the amount (£220/£350/£520)
7	Wait for response — airlines have 8 weeks to respond
8	If refused or ignored — escalate (see below)

What to Include in Your Claim

Information	Where to find it
Flight number	Booking confirmation or boarding pass
Date of travel	Booking confirmation
Scheduled departure and arrival time	Booking confirmation
Actual arrival time	FlightStats, FlightAware, or your own records
Booking reference	Confirmation email
Passenger names	All passengers on the booking can claim individually
Brief description of the delay	What happened, how long you waited

If the Airline Refuses

Step	Action
1	Reply challenging their decision — especially if they cite “extraordinary circumstances” incorrectly
2	Escalate to an ADR scheme (Alternative Dispute Resolution) — free to use
3	If no ADR scheme, complain to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)
4	If still unresolved — small claims court (Money Claim Online)

ADR Schemes for UK Airlines

Scheme	Airlines covered
CEDR (Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution)	British Airways, easyJet, Wizz Air, others
AviationADR	Ryanair, Jet2, TUI, others
CAA enforcement	Airlines not in an ADR scheme

Check which scheme covers your airline at caa.co.uk.

Additional Rights During a Delay

While waiting at the airport, the airline must provide:

Delay length	Your entitlement
2+ hours (short-haul)	Meals and refreshments, 2 phone calls/emails
3+ hours (medium-haul)	Meals and refreshments, 2 phone calls/emails
4+ hours (long-haul)	Meals and refreshments, 2 phone calls/emails
Overnight delay	Hotel accommodation and transport to/from hotel
5+ hours	Full refund if you choose not to travel

If the airline doesn’t provide these, keep receipts for reasonable expenses (food, drink, hotel) and claim them back separately from the fixed compensation.

Cancelled Flights

Notice given	Compensation?	Alternative flight requirement
14+ days before departure	No	None
7–13 days before	Only if alternative arrives 2+ hours late	Alternative must depart max 2 hours early, arrive max 4 hours late
Under 7 days	Only if alternative arrives 1+ hour late	Alternative must depart max 1 hour early, arrive max 2 hours late
No notice / on the day	Yes — full compensation	Plus right to rebooking or full refund

Claiming for Past Flights

Country	Time limit
England	6 years from date of flight
Wales	6 years
Northern Ireland	6 years
Scotland	5 years

Should You Use a Claims Company?

Option	Cost	Success rate
Claim yourself (free)	£0	High — airlines must pay valid claims
Claims company	25%–40% of compensation (no win, no fee)	High — but you lose a big chunk
Small claims court (if airline refuses)	£35–£80 court fee	Very high — airlines usually settle

Recommendation: Always try claiming directly first — it’s straightforward and free. Only use a claims company if you genuinely don’t have time or the airline is being particularly difficult.