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.

Delayed flight? You may be entitled to as much as £520 in compensation

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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 AirHelp 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.

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1. What are the regulations on UK flight delay compensation?

“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.


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.

ItineraryUK or EU airlineOther airline
Departure from a UK airport✔️ Covered✔️ Covered
Arrival at a UK airport✔️ Covered❌ Not Covered

Remember if you’re flying in the EU, EU departures and EU airlines will also be covered under EC 261.

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2. Getting flight delay compensation in the UK

Airline compensation for flight delays in the UK: How much are you owed?

If your flight falls under the UK 261 regulation, you could be entitled to compensation from your airline if your flight is delayed for longer than three hours.

The amount of compensation you can claim depends on several factors, including the duration of the delay and the distance of your flight. You can see how flight delay compensation varies depending on the distance in the following image.

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 hours3 – 4 hoursMore than 4 hoursNever arrivedDistance
❌ £ –✔️ £220✔️ £220✔️ £220Flights 1,500 km or less
❌ £ –✔️ £350✔️ £350✔️ £350Flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km
❌ £ –✔️ £260✔️ £520✔️ £520Flights over 3,500 km

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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. Therefore, when claiming late flight compensation, AirHelp will identify your precise arrival time to support your case.

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

Food and drink vouchers

Transfer if required

Hotel stay if required

Access to communication

Other passenger rights regarding flight delays

Right to care: Food, refreshments, and accommodation

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.

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.

You can find the full text of the regulation on this link.

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 travellers and found that 85% don’t know their rights.

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3. Which cases are not covered by airline delay compensation?

Airlines do not have to pay compensation in extraordinary circumstances

The regulations in the EU and UK state that an airline can avoid liability if the delay is caused by extraordinary circumstances.

Extraordinary circumstances cover instances that the airline couldn’t control such as lightning strikes, medical emergencies, air traffic control strikes, serious adverse weather conditions, airport employee strikes or air traffic control strikes, air traffic control restrictions, sudden malfunctioning of the airport radar, acts of sabotage, political unrest, acts of terrorism… you get the idea.

There are a range of UK flight delays that are caused by extraordinary circumstances, so it’s good to know which conditions count as extraordinary.

If your flight was delayed, cancelled or overbooked within the last 3 years, you could be eligible for up to £520 in compensation.

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4. How to file a claim for flight delay compensation

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 AirHelp

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.

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.

Have AirHelp claim your compensation

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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 AirHelp, 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.

Tools to help you claim compensation for delayed flights

Navigating the process of claiming compensation for delayed flights can be complex. Fortunately, several tools and resources are available to help you streamline your claim and ensure you receive the compensation you're entitled to.


5. How can AirHelp help with compensation for a delayed flight?

How AirHelp can enforce your rights

  • 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 2.5 million passengers get their compensation

  • AirHelp is rated “Excellent” with 156,000 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.


AirHelp’s impact on airline delay compensation claims

In 2012, a landmark ruling by the European Court of Justice, which still pertains to UK law, declared that passengers were entitled to compensation for long delays, as long as certain conditions were met.

That ruling opened the floodgates for flight delay compensation claims to be made by disgruntled passengers.

AirHelp’s team strives to ensure that passengers are relieved from the stress of making a claim.

We take on the responsibility of enforcing your right to compensation from the airline.

To date, we have helped over 2.516 million passengers get their rightful compensation.


Common questions about delay compensation

AirHelp has been featured in:

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AirHelp is a part of the Association of Passenger Rights Advocates (APRA) whose mission is to promote and protect passengers’ rights.

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