How to Claim Flight Delay Compensation in the UK: Up to £520 Per Person
Key takeaway
If your flight was delayed by 3+ hours, cancelled with less than 14 days notice, or you were denied boarding, you could be owed between £220 and £520 per person. You can claim for flights in the last 6 years. Over £600 million goes unclaimed by UK passengers every year.
What is UK261?
After Brexit, the UK replaced EU Regulation 261/2004 with its own version known as UK261. This regulation protects passengers on flights departing from a UK airport, or arriving in the UK on a UK or EU airline.
Under UK261, airlines must compensate you if your flight was significantly delayed, cancelled, or you were denied boarding - unless the disruption was caused by extraordinary circumstances like severe weather or air traffic control strikes.
How much can you claim?
Compensation is based on the flight distance, not the ticket price:
| Flight Distance | Example Routes | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Under 1,500km | London to Paris, Edinburgh, Amsterdam | £220 |
| 1,500km - 3,500km | London to Tenerife, Athens, Istanbul | £350 |
| Over 3,500km | London to New York, Dubai, Bangkok | £520 |
This is per person, per flight. A family of four on a long-haul flight could claim up to £2,080.
When can you claim?
You can claim compensation if:
- - Your flight arrived more than 3 hours late at your final destination
- - Your flight was cancelled with less than 14 days notice
- - You were denied boarding (e.g. overbooking)
- - The flight departed from a UK airport (any airline)
- - The flight arrived in the UK on a UK or EU airline
What counts as extraordinary circumstances?
Airlines often reject claims citing extraordinary circumstances. Here is what does and does not count:
NOT extraordinary (you CAN claim)
- - Technical faults with the aircraft
- - Crew shortages or illness
- - IT system failures
- - Bird strikes (debated)
- - Baggage loading issues
- - Late incoming aircraft
IS extraordinary (airline exempt)
- - Severe weather (not just bad weather)
- - Air traffic control strikes
- - Security threats or airport closures
- - Political instability
- - Medical emergencies on board
- - Volcanic ash
How to claim: step by step
Step 1: Gather your details
You need your flight number, date of travel, departure and arrival airports, and a description of what happened (delay length, cancellation notice, etc.).
Step 2: Write a formal claim letter
Your claim must cite UK261 regulations specifically and state the compensation amount you are owed based on flight distance. This is where most people get stuck.
Step 3: Send to the airline
Email the airline's complaints department directly. Most airlines have a dedicated compensation claims form on their website.
Step 4: Wait for a response
Airlines have 8 weeks to respond. If they reject your claim or do not respond, you can escalate to CEDR (Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution) for free.
How long do I have to claim?
In the UK, you can claim for flights delayed in the last 6 years. So if you had a delayed flight in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, or 2025, you could still be owed money now.
Can I claim for a connecting flight?
Yes. If your connecting flights were booked as a single itinerary and you arrived at your final destination more than 3 hours late, you can claim based on the total distance from departure to final destination.
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need a solicitor?
No. You can claim directly with the airline yourself. A formal letter citing the correct regulations is usually enough. Paybacker generates this letter for you for free.
What if the airline says no?
If the airline rejects your claim, you can escalate to CEDR (Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution) or the Aviation ADR scheme for free. Their decision is binding on the airline.
Does this apply to package holidays?
Yes, if the flight element was delayed or cancelled. Package holiday flights are covered by UK261 in the same way as standalone flights.
Can I claim for a flight I took years ago?
Yes, up to 6 years in the UK. If you had a delayed flight any time from 2020 onwards, check if you are owed compensation.