Can I Claim For A Delayed Flight

Various pieces of legislation exist around the world to protect customers from disrupted flight services. The most common causes of this disruption are late flights, cancelled flights or overbooked flights, which means that some passengers are prevented from boarding. Are you wondering, 'can I claim for a delayed flight?'. The answer is yes. If your flight was delayed or disrupted within the past three years - or even longer in some cases - you can claim up to £520 from the airline.

This is the law under European Regulation EC 261. Even better, it's very easy to make this claim with the assistance of AirHelp. AirHelp has supported millions of customers worldwide to understand their flight disruption compensation rights and to submit successful claims. To find out if you have a claim of up to £520 per incident of disruption, simply add details of the flight that was delayed or cancelled, or that you were prevented from boarding due to overbooking.

Our comprehensive database will then check whether or not you are eligible for a claim, and work you through the steps needed to make an instant claim. The process is quick, easy and simple with AirHelp, and even better, it won't cost you anything to submit your compensation claim for a disrupted flight service within the last three years. Simply add your details in a few clicks.

AirHelp is the world's largest air passenger rights organisation, here to help air travellers secure compensation for delayed, cancelled, or overbooked flights .

We make claiming compensation easy and stress-free. Whether you are unsure of your rights, lack the time, or simply want an expert to handle your entire claim for you, AirHelp can help you get what you are rightfully owed.

We operate on a no win, no fee basis, so you can check your compensation risk-free.

How do you know when you should claim compensation for a delayed or cancelled flight? Though the law can be complicated, we're here to break it down for you:

Delayed flights: you may be able to claim compensation if your flight arrived 3 hours or more late.
Cancelled flights: you may be eligible for compensation if your flight was cancelled less than 14 days before it was due to depart.
Overbookings: you are owed compensation any time you are denied boarding through no fault of your own — so long as you didn't voluntarily give up your seat.

We should note that if extraordinary circumstances were involved, arirlines are under no obligation to pay compensation. Examples of extraordinary circumstances include bad weather, travel restrictions, and air traffic control strikes. Though these situations cause delays and cancellations, the airline isn't at fault, so can't be expected to offer compensation.

Remember these are European flight regulations and so only apply to flights departing from an EU airport, or flights landing in the EU with a European airline. The table below makes it clear which flights are covered:

Table shows values in € as specified in EC 261

In some circumstances the compensation amount may differ from the standard amounts shown above. The easiest way to find out what you’re owed is to use our Compensation Check.

If you experience a flight delay or cancellation, here's what you should do:

• Hold onto your boarding pass and other travel documents.
• Ask why the flight was delayed or cancelled.
• Request food, drinks, and if necessary, free transport and hotel accommodation.
• If you had a cancelled flight, ask for an alternative flight or a refund.
• Keep all receipts of any extra expenses you may have had, including necessary food, clothing, etc.
• Be careful not to sign any waivers or accept vouchers that will require you to waive your right to compensation.