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Travel · the UK
Updated September 2026

✈️ My flight was delayed or cancelled — who enforces my compensation?

Direct answer

Under EU 261 you are owed €250–€600 for a delay of 3+ hours at arrival, a cancellation with less than 14 days' notice, or denied boarding — unless the airline proves extraordinary circumstances. Claim from the airline first, in writing. If it refuses or ignores you for 6–8 weeks, Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) (caa.co.uk) is the national enforcement body in the UK; a complaint there is free. AviationADR / CEDR offers binding dispute resolution. Check your amount first with our flight tool.

The UK kept EU 261 as "UK261": £220, £350 or £520 depending on distance, same delay and cancellation rules.

Call firstCivil Aviation Authority (CAA)
Report toAviationADR / CEDR
If that failsSmall claims — money claim online

🗣️ What to say

"Flight [number] on [date] from [A] to [B] arrived … hours late / was cancelled on [date]. Under Regulation (EC) 261/2004 Art. 7 I claim €… compensation, to [IBAN], within 14 days. Booking reference […]."

🪜 Step by step

  1. Check the amountDistance and delay decide: €250 up to 1,500 km, €400 up to 3,500 km, €600 beyond. Our flight-compensation tool does it in 30 seconds.
  2. Claim from the airlineTheir online form or e-mail. Keep the boarding pass, booking, and any message about the delay.
  3. Give them 6–8 weeksThen escalate. "Extraordinary circumstances" must be proven by the airline — technical faults are not.
  4. Complain to Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)The enforcement body for flights departing the UK or arriving on an EU airline. Free; it can fine the airline.
  5. Binding decision: AviationADR / CEDRThe dispute board issues a decision the airline has to follow; otherwise, small-claims court.

📇 All contacts

Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)National enforcement body, PACT complaint formWhen the airline refuses or is silent for 8 weeks and is not in an ADR scheme🔗 www.caa.co.uk/passengers
AviationADR / CEDRApproved dispute schemes, binding on the airlineIf the airline is a member — check on the CAA site🔗 www.aviationadr.org.uk
Small claims — money claim onlineClaims without a solicitorWhen the airline ignores the decision🔗 www.gov.uk/make-court-claim-for-money

❓ Frequently asked

Which country's body?

The one where the disrupted flight departed. For a flight into the EU on an EU airline, the arrival country.

The airline offered a voucher

You can refuse it. Compensation is money; the refund of the ticket is separate and also money unless you agree otherwise.

Does the flight tool cost anything?

No. It checks eligibility and drafts the claim; you send it yourself.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

🔎 Common searches

Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.

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🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

🔗 Related questions

📦Faulty goods, no refund→🧳Lost luggage→🚆Train delay refund→🏖️Package holiday→

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