Airline Compensation? Check your rights

If you've had a delayed, overbooked or canceled flight in the past three years, you might be entitled to compensation from your airline. Find out what you're owed with our eligibility checker.

Summary of your rights for airline flight disruptions

Under UK Regulation 261, you’re entitled to:

• Flight delays: Compensation for delays of 3+ hours.

• Cancellations: Compensation for short-notice cancellations and a refund or rebooking option.

• Overbooking: Compensation and immediate assistance if denied boarding.

• Compensation details: £220–£520 per person, based on flight distance, regardless of ticket price.

Knowing how to claim airline compensation ensures fair redress for your travel disruptions.

Air passenger rights: How to claim airline compensation

Air passengers are entitled to protection under the key regulation UK 261 and the Montreal Convention. These frameworks ensure fair compensation for flight disruptions like delays, cancellations, overbooking, and missed connections. Here’s an overview of your rights and tips to claim airline compensation effectively:

UK 261 Legislation After Brexit, the UK adapted EC 261 rules to protect passengers departing from or arriving at UK airports on UK-based airlines. Passengers can:

• Protects passengers flying from or to UK airports on UK-based airlines.

• Passengers can claim compensation from airlines for delays, cancellations, or denied boarding.

• Compensation ranges from £220 to £520, depending on the flight distance and delay duration.

For more laws and passenger rights regarding flights not departing or arriving at UK airports, check out our dedicated passenger rights page.

Coverage of regulation

The flights covered in which passengers can claim airline compensation for depends on the flight itinerary and the nationality of the airline:

Airline flight cancellation claims: Rights and procedures

UK Regulation 261 protects passengers in cases of flight cancellations, ensuring their right to claim financial compensation from airlines, receive adequate assistance, and, in some cases, obtain a ticket refund. Below are the necessary conditions, applicable compensations, and exceptions outlined by the law.

When can you file a claim against an airline?

You can file a claim if:

• The cancellation is communicated less than 14 days in advance.

If the notification is given 7 to 13 days before the flight, the alternative flight must:

• Depart no more than 2 hours earlier than the original schedule.

• Arrive with a delay of less than 4 hours compared to the original schedule.

If the notification is given less than 7 days before the flight, the alternative flight must:

• Depart no more than 1 hour earlier than the original schedule.

• Arrive with a delay of less than 2 hours compared to the original schedule.

Flight cancellation airline compensation

Financial compensation ranges from £220 to £520, depending on the flight distance. The compensation amount may be adjusted if you accept an alternative flight with a shorter delay.

For more details about canceled flights and how to file a claim, visit our page on passenger rights for flight cancellations.

Claim airline compensation for flight delays: Your rights in the UK

If you've faced a delayed flight, you might be entitled to compensation under UK Regulation (EC) 261/2004. Understanding your rights and knowing how to make airline claims is essential to ensure you're treated fairly.

When can you claim airline compensation?

You can file a claim for airline delay compensation if:

• The delay exceeds 3 hours upon arrival at your final destination. This is calculated based on the actual arrival time compared to the scheduled time.

• The flight departs from an EU/UK airport or is operated by an EU/UK-based airline arriving at an EU/UK destination.

• The delay is not due to extraordinary circumstances, such as extreme weather, security issues, or external strikes beyond the airline’s control.

Additional rights for delays over 5 hours

If your delay exceeds 5 hours, you have the right to:

• Request a full refund of your ticket if you decide not to travel.

• Demand a return flight to your original departure airport if you are on a connecting itinerary.

Flight delay compensation amounts

The compensation amount depends on the flight distance and the length of the delay upon arrival, ranging from £220 to £520.

For more information on delayed flights, compensation, and how to make a claim, visit our passenger rights for flight delays page.

Airline overbooking: Passenger rights and compensation for denied boarding

Overbooking occurs when airlines sell more tickets than available seats on a flight, causing some passengers to be denied boarding. Fortunately, regulations such as UK Regulation 261 protect passengers in such situations by ensuring compensation and assistance. Here's what you need to know about your rights and how to claim compensation from airlines.

When can you file a claim for overbooking?

You are eligible to claim compensation from airlines for denied boarding if:

• The denial was involuntary, and you did not voluntarily give up your seat.

• You arrived on time for boarding with all required documentation.

• You were not denied boarding for safety or health reasons.

Airline compensation for denied boarding

If the criteria are met, you can file a claim with the airline to receive compensation, which varies based on the flight distance and ranges from €250 to €600. For more information about passenger rights and denied boarding due to overbooking, visit our dedicated overbooking page.

Airline claims: Passenger rights for baggage issues

Baggage problems, such as damage, delays, or loss, are common occurrences while traveling. Under the Montreal Convention and other international regulations, passengers have clear rights to file claims with airlines and receive fair compensation. Here’s how to handle these situations:

Types of issues and passenger rights

• Damaged baggage
  If your checked or carry-on baggage is damaged while under the airline's responsibility, the airline must:

  • Repair the baggage or replace it with an equivalent item.

  • Provide financial compensation if repair is not possible.

• Delayed baggage
  When your luggage is delayed and you require items from inside:

  • The airline must reimburse expenses for essential replacement items.

  • Keep receipts for purchases to substantiate your claim.

• Lost baggage
  If your luggage is considered lost (after 21 days without being located):

  • The airline must compensate for the value of the bag and its contents.

  • Documentation is required to demonstrate the contents and their estimated value.

Airlines with the biggest delays

Flight delays can disrupt travel plans and add unexpected stress to your journey. Among the airlines known for significant delays, Jet2.com, Eastern Airways, easyJet, British Airways, and Virgin Atlantic stand out. Knowing about these airlines can help planning your trips and what to expect from these carriers.

Jet2.com

Jet2.com, a prominent UK-based airline specializing in leisure travel, has faced consistent delays, especially during the summer season. Operating flights to numerous European destinations, the airline frequently encounters scheduling disruptions, often due to airport congestion and high seasonal demand.

Eastern Airlines

Eastern Airlines, focused on regional flights within the UK and select European routes, has faced punctuality issues, particularly on routes serving smaller airports. Limited infrastructure and operational dependencies at these airports contribute to frequent delays, impacting its short-haul schedules.

easyJet

As one of the largest low-cost carriers in Europe, easyJet’s vast network and tightly packed schedules make it susceptible to delays. The airline operates at many high-traffic airports, where congestion and tight turnaround times are common factors behind delays, especially during peak holiday seasons.

British Airways

British Airways, the UK’s flagship carrier, has recorded notable delays, particularly on routes from its main hub at Heathrow Airport. Heathrow’s congestion, along with occasional operational challenges and external factors like air traffic control disruptions, has contributed to delays on both short-haul and long-haul flights.

Virgin Atlantic

Virgin Atlantic, renowned for its transatlantic services, has faced delay challenges on long-haul routes, particularly during periods of high travel demand. Mechanical issues, weather-related disruptions, and congestion at major airports like Heathrow and JFK are common reasons for the delays recorded by the airline.

The Busiest Airports in the UK

The UK is home to some of the busiest airports in Europe, offering world-class facilities and connectivity. Here's a quick look at some of the key airports:

Edinburgh Airport (EDI)

Scotland’s busiest airport, Edinburgh handles over 14 million passengers annually. Located just 8 miles from the city center, it offers excellent connectivity to Europe and beyond, making it a hub for both leisure and business travel.

Manchester Airport (MAN)

Manchester Airport serves as the main gateway to northern England, with over 27 million passengers per year. Located 9 miles from Manchester city center, it boasts three terminals and strong links to both domestic and international destinations.

London Luton Airport (LTN)

Located 28 miles north of Central London, Luton handles over 18 million passengers annually. It is a key hub for low-cost carriers and offers excellent connections to European cities.

London Stansted Airport (STN)

Stansted is a major base for budget airlines, particularly Ryanair, serving over 29 million passengers each year. Located 42 miles northeast of London, it’s ideal for affordable travel across Europe.

London Heathrow Airport (LHR)

As the UK’s largest and busiest airport, Heathrow handles nearly 80 million passengers annually. Located 14 miles west of London, it serves as a global hub, offering connections to over 200 destinations worldwide.

London Gatwick Airport (LGW)

Gatwick is the second-busiest airport in the UK, handling over 45 million passengers each year. Situated 28 miles south of London, it is known for its efficiency and a mix of low-cost and long-haul airlines.

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Frequently asked questions about airline claims

What am I entitled to in the event of a flight delay, cancellation, overbooking, or missed connection with airlines?

Your entitlements depend on the nature of the disruption and applicable laws:

• Flight delays:

  • Compensation if the delay exceeds 3 hours and is not caused by extraordinary circumstances.

  • Meals, refreshments, and accommodations during long delays.

• Flight cancellations:

  • A full refund or rebooking on an alternative flight.

  • Compensation unless the cancellation was due to extraordinary circumstances or notified well in advance.

• Overbooking:

  • Compensation between €250 and €600, depending on the flight distance.

  • Immediate assistance, including meals, accommodations, and rebooking.

• Missed connections:

  • Compensation for delays caused by missed connections if all flights are on the same booking.

  • Rebooking on the next available flight or a refund.

What else can you claim?

In addition to compensation, you can also claim:

• Additional expenses: Costs for meals, transportation, and accommodation if a delay or cancellation caused a long wait.

• Ticket refund: If you decide not to take the alternative flight offered by the airline.

• Missed connections: If your itinerary included connecting flights that you missed due to delays.

How much compensation are you entitled to?

The amount depends on the flight distance:

• £ 220 for flights up to 1,500 km.

• £ 350 for flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km.

• £ 520 for flights over 3,500 km (if the delay exceeds 4 hours).

These amounts may be reduced by 50% if an alternative transport option with reasonable arrival times is offered.

How can AirHelp assist you in claiming compensation or a refund from airlines?

AirHelp simplifies the process by handling the claim on your behalf:

• Expert knowledge: They have a deep understanding of passenger rights and applicable laws.

• Claim filing: AirHelp collects the necessary documents and files the claim with the airline.

• Negotiation and escalation: They handle negotiations with the airline and escalate the case to enforcement bodies or courts if required.

• No-win, no-fee service: AirHelp charges a fee only if your claim is successful, making it risk-free for passengers.

Using AirHelp can save you time, reduce stress, and increase your chances of receiving fair compensation.