Flight Delay Compensation UK — Claim Up to £520 Per Passenger

Following Brexit, UK Regulation 261/2004 (known as UK261) came into force, giving passengers on flights departing UK airports the same compensation rights previously provided by EU261/2004. UK261 applies to all flights departing from UK airports regardless of airline nationality, and to flights arriving in the UK operated by UK or EU-based carriers. You are entitled to compensation of £220, £350, or £520 per passenger depending on flight distance when your flight arrives more than 3 hours late.

Crucially, the extraordinary circumstances exemption is narrower than airlines claim. Technical faults, crew shortages, and scheduling delays are not extraordinary circumstances — they are within the airline's control and responsibility. UK and European courts have consistently ruled on this. Only genuine events outside the airline's control, such as severe weather, air traffic control strikes, or airport security emergencies, can exempt an airline from paying compensation.

You also have a right to care during long delays regardless of the cause: free food and refreshments after 2 hours (short haul) or 3 hours (long haul), hotel accommodation if an overnight stay becomes necessary, and two free communications (calls, emails). In England and Wales, the Limitation Act 1980 gives you 6 years to claim for delayed flights, meaning eligible disruptions from as far back as 2019 may still be claimable.