Cancelled Flight Compensation in the UK: AirHelp is The Best Claims Service in the World
There's nothing worse than spending time researching, planning, and preparing for a trip, only to find out that your flight has been cancelled when you arrive at the airport. Don't let a flight cancellation ruin your plans. With AirHelp, you can quickly check if you're eligible to claim up to £520 in cash 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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Submit your claim
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What are your rights in the event of a cancelled flight?
Refund or replacement: You have the right to either receive a full refund for your ticket or be provided with an alternative flight to your destination.
Compensation eligibility: If the airline notified you of the cancellation 14 days or less before your scheduled departure, you may be entitled to compensation.
Compensation amount: The compensation you can receive ranges from €250 to €600, depending on the specifics of your flight.
Why do flights get cancelled?
Air travel doesn’t always go as planned, and unfortunately, airlines cancel flights more often than passengers would like. When a flight is cancelled by the airline, it can be due to various reasons, from adverse weather conditions and technical issues to security risks or operational disruptions. These unexpected situations can leave passengers stranded and frustrated, but it's essential to know that you may be entitled to compensation for the inconvenience.
Understanding what counts as a flight cancellation
A flight is officially deemed "cancelled" if the plane never leaves the ground, and at least one passenger has booked a ticket on that flight.
It’s important to note that a delayed flight, even if significantly late, does not count as a cancellation under this definition. The distinction is crucial because different rules and compensation entitlements apply to delayed flights versus fully cancelled ones.
Knowing your rights when facing airline cancellations can help you navigate these frustrating situations and ensure that you receive the compensation you're entitled to. Whether it's a last-minute plane cancellation or a flight that never even makes it to the tarmac, being informed can make all the difference in how you handle the disruption.
Can you get compensation for a cancelled flight?
Yes, in many cases, you are entitled to plane cancellation compensation. Under both UK law and EU Regulation EC 261, passengers may receive up to £520 in compensation if the airline cancels their flight, provided certain criteria are met. For example, you may qualify for airline cancelled compensation if your flight is cancelled less than 14 days before departure and the airline is unable to offer a suitable alternative.
Are you eligible to claim flight cancellation compensation?
When faced with a flight cancelled by the airline, it's crucial to understand your rights under UK law, which mirrors the EU's EC 261 regulation. You could be entitled to plane cancellation compensation if specific criteria are met:
Eligibility criteria
Flight origin or destination: Your flight must have been set to take off from, or land in, the UK or EU. In some cases, flights to these locations also qualify.
Confirmed reservation: You must have a confirmed booking with details such as the flight number and passenger name. This serves as proof of your reservation.
Short-notice cancellation: If the airline notified you of the cancellation less than 14 days before the scheduled departure, you might be eligible for compensation.
Non-extraordinary circumstances: The cancellation must not be due to extraordinary circumstances, such as severe weather, security risks, or airport strikes. However, issues like technical difficulties or operational challenges do not qualify as extraordinary, meaning the airline is still obligated to compensate you.
Cancelled flights: Re-routing
When your flight is cancelled, it's important to understand your rights under EC 261, which was adapted into UK law as "UK 261" following Brexit. This regulation covers most cancelled flights, except when the airline has provided you with at least 14 days' notice of the cancellation. However, there's a significant exception to the compensation rule: re-routing.
What does re-routing mean?
Re-routing is when the airline offers you an alternative flight to your destination instead of paying you compensation for the cancellation. Under certain conditions, the airline can avoid paying cancellation compensation if they offer you a suitable alternative flight, which meets specific criteria:
| 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 |
How much compensation for a cancelled flight?
When your flight is cancelled by the airline, the amount of compensation you are entitled to can vary based on several key factors. Understanding these criteria is essential in determining how much you might receive in airline cancelled compensation. Here's what you need to know:
Travel distance: The distance of your flight plays a significant role in the amount of compensation you may be eligible for. Longer flights generally result in higher compensation amounts. For instance, a short domestic flight within the UK may entitle you to less compensation than a long-haul international flight.
Flight location: Whether your flight was within the UK, the EU, or beyond also influences the compensation amount. Under the EC 261 regulation, which has been adopted into UK law as "UK 261," flights departing from or arriving in these regions are covered by specific compensation rules. This means that whether you're flying within Europe or between the UK and an EU country, you have similar rights.
Length of delay: If you accept re-routing on another flight after your original one was cancelled, the length of the delay in reaching your final destination can impact your compensation. The greater the delay, the higher the potential compensation you might receive.
These factors can make calculating your plane cancelled compensation a bit complex, but understanding them will help ensure you get the compensation you deserve. Here's a breakdown of the airline compensation for flight cancellation in the various situations.
| Under 2 hours | 2 - 3 hours | 3 – 4 hours | More than 4 hours | Never arrived | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £110 | £220 | £220 | £220 | £220 | All flights 1,500 km or less |
| £175 | £175 | £350 | £350 | £350 | Flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km |
| £260 | £260 | £260 | £520 | £520 | Flights over 3,500 km |
What it boils down to is that the compensation of your flight cancellation may be halved if the airline can offer you an alternative flight which gets you to your destination at a similar time to your original schedule.
Flight cancellation rights: What are you entitled to if your flight is cancelled?
If your flight is cancelled, it’s crucial to know your rights, especially when it comes to airline cancellations and potential compensation. Under UK law, which aligns with the EU's EC 261 regulation, you are entitled to several protections, including flight cancellation compensation.
Your entitlements for cancelled flights
When your flight is cancelled by the airline, you have the right to choose between the following options:
Understanding your rights when dealing with airline cancellations ensures that you can make informed decisions and secure the compensation and services you deserve.
When are passengers not covered for flight cancellation compensation?
Advance warning: If the airline informed you of the cancellation 14 days or more before the scheduled departure, you are not eligible for compensation.
Extraordinary circumstances: Passengers are not entitled to plane cancellation compensation if the disruption is due to extraordinary circumstances beyond the airline's control. These include:
Severe weather conditions (e.g., lightning strikes)
Medical emergencies
Airport employee or air traffic control strikes
Air traffic control restrictions
Sudden airport radar failures
Acts of sabotage, terrorism, or political unrest
Weather-related cancellations: In some cases, such as with snow, the airline could be held responsible if they failed to take necessary precautions, like having adequate de-icing supplies. If other airlines managed to operate flights during the same conditions, this could strengthen your case for compensation.
Internal strikes: According to a 2018 ECJ ruling, which the UK adopted into its legislation, internal ‘wildcat strikes’ by airline staff are not considered extraordinary circumstances. Therefore, if your flight was cancelled due to an internal strike, you are entitled to airline cancelled compensation.
Passenger travelling free of charge: Passengers travelling free of charge (e.g. air hostess) or at a reduced fare not available directly, or indirectly to the public are not eligible to flight cancellation compensation.
Flights cancelled? Steps to take when your flight is cancelled
Experiencing a flight cancellation can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you’re counting on a smooth travel experience. If you find yourself in this situation, it's important to know your rights and the steps you should take to secure any compensation you may be entitled to under the so-called "UK 261" law. Here's what you should do when an airline cancels your flight:
By following these steps, you can ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive the plane cancelled compensation you are entitled to under the law.
Flights cancelled and entitled to a claim? Let AirHelp enforce your rights
Flight cancelled compensation in the UK – Why choose AirHelp?
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.
AirHelp is the best-rated flight compensation company in the world with a 9.5 score on Trustpilot.
We have already helped more than 16 million passengers.
To avoid the burden of time and navigating the complex legal system.
Airlines may deny your initial claim or ignore your claim request entirely, our team tackle bureaucratic hurdles to get you the money you deserve.
Frequently asked questions about airline cancellation compensation
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