Cancelled flight compensation: UK passenger guide
Millions of air passengers travel to and from the UK every year, yet many are unaware of the rights that protect them when flights go wrong.
If your flight is cancelled, you may be entitled to compensation of up to £520 under UK and EU regulations, depending on the flight distance and notice period, and regardless of your ticket type.
With AirHelp, you can quickly check if you're eligible for flight cancellation compensation. It only takes a few minutes to find out. Use our free compensation calculator to see if you qualify, and let our team of legal experts help you claim what you're owed.
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£220
up to 1,500 km
£350
1,500 - 3,500 km
£520
from 3,500 km
What do I do if my flight is cancelled?
Ask the airline for written confirmation of the cause of the cancellation.
Hold onto your boarding pass and any other travel documents proving that your flight was cancelled.
Request either an alternate flight to your destination or a ticket refund.
Ask the airline to pay for your meals and refreshments, and to provide you with a hotel room, if needed.
Keep your receipts if your cancelled flight ends up costing you extra money.
Submit your claim using our compensation checker to get up to £520.
What are my rights if my flight is cancelled?
You are entitled to a full refund or a replacement flight to your destination if your flight is cancelled.
If the airline notified you less than 14 days before departure, you may be eligible for compensation, unless it was due to extraordinary circumstances (e.g., severe weather).
Compensation ranges from £220 to £520, depending on the flight distance (e.g., £350 for flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km).
You must receive food and drinks if delayed at the airport for over two hours, plus accommodation if overnight.
You’re protected under UK and EU law, so long as your flight departed from the UK/EU or arrived there on a UK/EU airline.
Can I claim compensation for a cancelled flight?
If your flight has been cancelled by the airline less than 14 days before departure, you may be entitled to compensation of up to £520. This right is protected under EU/UK 261 regulations, which also give passengers the right to a replacement flight or a full refund of the ticket cost. Here is how it works:
The 14-day rule is not the only factor that determines your right to cancelled flight compensation. Under UK/EC 261, you could be entitled to cancelled flight compensation if…
Your flight was going to take off in the UK/EU (flights into either may also qualify).
The airline notified you of the cancellation less than 14 days before the flight was due to depart.
If you took a replacement flight, your new arrival time was significantly different from your original flight (exact times below).
The cancellation occurred within the last 6 years (5 years in Scotland).
You had a confirmed flight reservation - shown by a booking confirmation complete with information like the flight number and name of passengers.
The reason for the cancellation was within the airline's control (e.g. operational circumstances, technical difficulties, or airline staff strikes).
Let us now look in more detail at two key aspects: which flights are covered by UK 261 and what options are available in the event of a cancellation, including compensation, refund or re-routing.
Which flights are covered by UK 261?
The regulations set out in UK/EC 261 apply based on the flight route and the airline – it doesn’t matter where the passengers are from.
Most routes that take off from a UK/EU airport are covered. And we should point out that Europe covers more of the world than you might expect. The regulations cover the so-called ‘outermost regions’ (the Canary Islands, Madeira and the Azores, French Guiana and Martinique, Mayotte, Guadeloupe and La Réunion, and Saint-Martin). Plus European nations that are members of the EEA: Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.
Even if your flight was scheduled to depart from outside Europe, if your destination was in Europe and you were flying with a European carrier, you’re covered. It’s easier to explain with a chart:
| Flight type | UK/EC261? | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Departing from UK or EU | ✔️ Yes | London – New York |
| Arriving in UK (UK/EU airline) | ✔️ Yes | New York – London (British Airways) |
| Arriving in UK (non-UK/EU airline) | ❌ No | New York – London (Delta Airlines) |
| Non-UK/EU routes | ❌ No | New York to Dubai |
Cancelled flight: compensation, refund, or re-routing
When it comes to flight cancellations, EC 261 makes it clear that the airline must offer the passenger the following 3 choices:
A full or partial refund of your original ticket - and a return flight to your original point of departure if needed.
The earliest possible alternative transport to your final destination (re-routing).
A new ticket to your final destination at a later date of your choosing, subject to availability.
What does re-routing mean?
Re-routing is when the airline offers you an alternative flight to your destination. If you accept this option, you are not eligible for a ticket refund (which is only available if you choose not to fly), but you may still claim compensation. However, if the airline offers to re-route you, it can avoid paying cancellation compensation if the following criteria are met:
| Advance Notice | Re-routing Requirements |
|---|---|
| 14 Days | ❌ None |
| 7 - 13 Days | ✔️ Alternative flight departing no more than 2 hours before and arriving less than 4 hours after the original flight |
| Less than 7 Days | ✔️ Alternative flight departing no more than 1 hours before and arriving less than 2 hours after the original flight |
Even if you are not entitled to compensation, airlines must always guarantee you either a replacement flight or a full refund of the ticket price in the event of a cancelled flight.
Are you eligible to claim flight cancellation compensation?
According to EU/UK 261 regulations, compensation for a cancelled flight ranges from £220 and £520 per passenger. The exact amount depends on various factors, the main ones being:
Travel distance.
Whether your flight is within the EU or not.
Here are the main scenarios:
Short-haul flights (up to 1,500 km): you can claim £220.
Intra-EU flights over 1,500 km: you’re eligible for £350.
Non-intra-EU flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km: you can claim £350.
Non-intra-EU flights over 3,500 km: you could receive £520.
The table below provides examples based on flight distance:
| Flight distance | Compensation | Example routes |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 1,500 km | £220 | Glasgow – Paris |
| 1,500 – 3,500 km | £350 | Manchester – Athens |
| Over 3,500 km | £520 | London – New York |
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 calculator below.
We enforce your rights as a consumer
Compensation calculator
Find out your expected compensation
£220
up to 1,500 km
£350
1,500 - 3,500 km
£520
from 3,500 km
What if my flight was part of a connecting journey?
If the cancellation concerns a leg of a connecting itinerary, the airline will offer you an alternative flight. Your right to compensation will depend on various factors:
If you miss a connection due to a cancelled flight and arrive at your final destination at least 3 hours late, you may be entitled to compensation..
Your right to compensation depends on the total delay of your journey, not the delay of individual legs.
If, however, the different legs were purchased separately (different tickets/bookings), then each leg is treated as a separate flight.
To make it simpler, here are some practical examples in the table below:
| Scenario | Compensation? | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| London → Dubai (cancelled) → Bangkok (4h late) | ✔️ Yes | Cancellation caused 4h delay |
| Manchester → Frankfurt (on time) → Tokyo (cancelled) | ✔️ Yes | Flight cancelled in one booking |
| London → Doha (on-time) → Sydney (separate booking, cancelled) | ❌ No | Separate bookings |
| Glasgow → Madrid (cancelled) → Buenos Aires (2h late) | ❌ No | Delay under 3h |
Want to check if you’re entitled to compensation for a cancelled connecting flight? The easiest way to find out is by using our eligibility checker.
Airline responsibility and extraordinary circumstances
The right to compensation for a cancelled flight depends on the airline’s responsibility. Airlines are not required to compensate passengers in cases of extraordinary circumstances, meaning situations beyond the airline's control. These include severe weather conditions, medical emergencies, airport staff strikes, political instability, bird strikes, acts of sabotage, security risks… you get the idea.
If you’re still unsure, the table below helps clarify when you might be eligible for compensation:
Compensation
Disruptions due to operational issues (e.g., technical problems)
Denied boarding due to overbooking
Missed connections caused by delays on the first leg of your journey
Strikes by airline staff
Extraordinary Circumstances
Severe weather conditions (e.g., snowstorms)
Natural disasters (e.g., volcanic eruptions, earthquakes)
Security threats or emergencies impacting airport operations
Strikes by airport staff
Under extraordinary circumstances, compensation is therefore off the table. However, other rights still apply, such as the right to care and assistance during your wait and, if applicable, the right to a ticket refund.
How to claim compensation for a flight cancelled by the airline
Step-by-step guide to claim flight cancellation compensation
You can claim compensation by contacting the airline, consulting a lawyer, or relying on the specialists at AirHelp. Whatever your choice, here's how to proceed with your claim:
Cancelled flight: checklist for making a claim
Hold onto your boarding pass and travel documents.
Ask why the flight was cancelled and gather proof of the cancellation
Check if you’re entitled to compensation with our free eligibility checker.
File your claim through AirHelp.
That's it! We’ll take it from here.
How to claim flight cancellation compensation with AirHelp
We understand that many air passengers do not have the time, experience or inclination to fight with airlines in order to make a cancelled flight claim for the compensation they’re owed.
AirHelp 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.
step 1
Submit your claim
We make it quick, secure and easy.
step 2
We handle everything
We build a strong case and negotiate with the airline.
step 3
You win £££
You get compensation. No win? No fee.
How long does it take to get compensation?
The timeframe for obtaining compensation for a cancelled flight can vary from a few weeks to several months. Several factors come into play: the airline, the complexity of the case, the completeness of the submitted documentation, and sometimes even the time of year – particularly busy or relatively quiet.
Below, we’ve prepared a table with some general timeframes for you. Please keep in mind that each case is unique, and AirHelp can help you minimise the timeframe – we’re here to help.
| Claim type | Expected timeframe |
|---|---|
| Standard case (no legal action) | 2-3 months |
| Airline disputes claim | 3-6 months |
| Legal action required | 6-12 months |
| Fast-track cases | Some airlines pay within weeks |
How can AirHelp help with compensation for a cancelled flight?
AirHelp can enforce your rights
If you’re going to file a compensation claim, you can expect some pushback from the airline. Just because the law is on your side doesn’t mean they are going to be enthusiastic – or swift – about paying you.
That’s where AirHelp can come in. We can handle all the negotiations with the airline on your behalf.
AirHelp is the leading flight compensation company in the world, helping passengers understand their rights and get compensation for delayed or cancelled flights, and in instances of denied boarding.
We’ve already helped more than 2.7 million passengers get their compensation
AirHelp is rated “Excellent” with 167,000 5-star reviews on Trustpilot.
Save yourself the time and stress of navigating the complex compensation systems.
Airlines may deny your initial claim or ignore your claim request entirely, our team tackle bureaucratic hurdles to get you the money you deserve.
Are there any fees?
At AirHelp, we believe in being upfront about our fees. We offer two simple options: No Win, No Fee and AirHelp+. Here’s how they work:
1. No Win, No Fee
You only pay if we win your claim - it's that simple.
You receive up to 65% of the compensation obtained.
Our fee is 35% of the amount (VAT included).
Fee is deducted from your compensation payment after we win.
2. AirHelp+ (annual subscription)
You receive 100% of the compensation obtained.
No fees deducted from your winnings.
Make unlimited claims during the subscription period.
From £34.99 per year (subscription must be activated before airline disruption occurs).
Imagine AirHelp wins you £520 compensation:
No Win, No Fee
Standard
you_receive
£338
our_fee
£182
AirHelp+
In all cases
you_receive
£520
our_fee
£0