In short: if you arrive more than 3 hours late on a flight from the UK, or into the UK on a UK or EU airline, you may be owed £220 to £520 per person, unless the airline shows the delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances.
Which flights are covered?
- Flights departing a UK airport, on any airline.
- Flights arriving in the UK on a UK or EU airline.
How much?
| Flight distance | Compensation |
|---|---|
| Under 1,500 km | £220 |
| 1,500 to 3,500 km | £350 |
| Over 3,500 km, arriving 3 to 4 hours late | £260 |
| Over 3,500 km, arriving more than 4 hours late | £520 |
Compensation isn't paid automatically. You have to claim it.
Your other rights
- Care: food, drink and the means to communicate once the departure delay reaches 2 hours (under 1,500 km), 3 hours (1,500–3,500 km) or 4 hours (over 3,500 km). This includes accommodation if you are delayed overnight.
- Refund: if the delay reaches 5 hours, you can choose not to travel and get a refund for the flights you haven't taken.
Connecting flights and separate tickets
On a single booking, compensation is based on your first and last airports and your arrival delay at the final destination. If you booked separate tickets yourself, each flight is assessed on its own.
How to claim
- Claim from the airline first.
- If you're not happy with its final response, or it hasn't replied within 8 weeks, escalate to the airline's approved alternative dispute resolution (ADR) scheme. If the airline isn't a member of one, go to the CAA's Passenger Advice and Complaints Team (PACT).