Can I claim compensation for a delayed flight?
Yes — if you arrive 3 or more hours late and the delay was within the airline's control, you can claim fixed compensation. The basis is retained UK261 (EU Regulation 261/2004 as kept in UK law), enforced by the Civil Aviation Authority. The amounts are fixed by distance: £220 (up to 1,500km), £350 (1,500–3,500km) and £520 (over 3,500km) — though a long-haul flight arriving 3–4 hours late has the £520 halved to £260. It covers flights leaving a UK airport (any airline) and flights arriving in the UK on a UK or EU carrier. This is separate from your right to a refund/re-routing and to care (meals, hotel) during the delay. You have 6 years to claim in England and Wales (5 in Scotland). In short: yes, for airline-caused delays of 3+ hours.
📋 The rules
- Claim if you arrive 3+ hours late and it's the airline's fault
- Fixed by distance: £220 / £350 / £520
- Long-haul 3–4 hrs late: £520 halved to £260
- Covers UK-departing flights and UK-arriving UK/EU carriers
- Separate from your right to a refund and care
🔓 Exceptions
- No compensation for 'extraordinary circumstances' (severe weather, ATC strikes)
- Routine technical/staffing problems are NOT extraordinary — still payable
- Care (food, hotel) is owed even when compensation isn't
⚠️ Penalties & fines
This is consumer compensation, not a penalty: £220, £350 or £520 per passenger by distance (long-haul 3–4 hours halved to £260), unchanged for 2026. You also keep the right to a refund or re-routing, and to care — meals and, if needed, a hotel — during a long delay, even when compensation isn't payable. The time limit to claim is 6 years (England & Wales) or 5 years (Scotland). Beware a myth: "after Brexit you can't claim, or you only get euros" is false — UK261 preserves the same rights, paid in pounds, with the 3-hour rule intact. Note that no compensation is due for genuine extraordinary circumstances (severe weather, air-traffic strikes), but routine technical or staffing problems are payable. To claim: go direct to the airline first (it's free), and escalate to the CAA or an ADR scheme if refused.
📎 Official sources
- CAA — delays and cancellations →
- UK261 — Air Passenger Rights (EU Exit) Regs 2019 →
- MoneySavingExpert — flight delay compensation →
❓ Frequently asked
Can I claim compensation for a delayed flight?
Yes, if you arrive at your destination three or more hours late and the delay was within the airline's control. Under UK261, you can claim fixed compensation of £220, £350 or £520 depending on the flight distance. The rules cover flights leaving a UK airport and flights into the UK on a UK or EU airline.
How much compensation will I get?
It depends on the distance. You get £220 for flights up to 1,500km, £350 for flights between 1,500 and 3,500km, and £520 for flights over 3,500km. For a long-haul flight that arrives between three and four hours late, the £520 amount is halved to £260. The amounts are per passenger.
When can't I claim?
You can't claim compensation if the delay was caused by 'extraordinary circumstances' outside the airline's control, such as severe weather, air-traffic-control strikes or security alerts. However, routine problems like technical faults or staffing issues are not considered extraordinary, so delays caused by them are still payable. Care, such as meals, is owed regardless.
Can I still claim after Brexit?
Yes. UK261 retains the same passenger rights as the old EU rules, and compensation is paid in pounds, with the three-hour arrival rule still in force. It's a myth that you can't claim, or only receive euros, after Brexit. For flights leaving the EU, EU261 may also still apply alongside the UK regime.
How do I make a claim?
First, claim directly from the airline, which is free — you don't need a claims company taking a cut. Provide your booking details and the delay length. If the airline refuses or doesn't respond, you can escalate to its alternative dispute resolution scheme or the Civil Aviation Authority. You have six years to bring a claim in England and Wales.
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