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UK Flight Delay Compensation 2026
Every day, thousands of passengers on UK flights are legally owed money — and most never claim it. Under the UK261 rules (the UK's post-Brexit version of EU261), qualifying delays and cancellations entitle you to fixed cash compensation of £220–£520 per passenger, plus meals and accommodation while you wait. This guide explains who qualifies, how much you're owed, and the exact steps to claim — no claims company required.
When You're Entitled to Compensation
You can claim when all of these apply:
- Your flight departed from a UK airport (any airline), or arrived into the UK on a UK/EU carrier.
- You arrived at your final destination 3+ hours late (or your flight was cancelled with under 14 days' notice).
- The cause was within the airline's control — technical faults, crew shortages, overbooking, IT failures.
Not eligible ("extraordinary circumstances"): severe weather, air traffic control restrictions, security incidents, and strikes external to the airline. Even then, care obligations below still apply.
How Much You're Owed
| Flight distance | Delay at arrival | Compensation per passenger |
|---|---|---|
| Under 1,500 km (e.g. London–Amsterdam) | 3+ hours | £220 |
| 1,500–3,500 km (e.g. London–Athens) | 3+ hours | £350 |
| Over 3,500 km (e.g. London–New York) | 3–4 hours | £260 |
| Over 3,500 km | 4+ hours | £520 |
This is per passenger — a family of four on a qualifying long-haul delay is owed up to £2,080. It's compensation for the delay itself, separate from any refund.
What Airlines Must Provide While You Wait (Everyone, Every Cause)
- After 2–4 hours (depending on flight distance): meals and refreshments appropriate to the wait.
- Communication: two calls or emails.
- Overnight delay: hotel accommodation and transport between airport and hotel.
- 5+ hour delay: the right to a full refund if you choose not to travel.
How to Claim in 5 Steps
- Record the facts: flight number, scheduled vs actual arrival time, and the reason the airline gave (screenshot apps/boards).
- Claim direct with the airline — every UK airline has a compensation form on its website. You do not need a claims firm taking 25–50%.
- Cite the regulation: state you're claiming under UK261 for a controllable delay of X hours and the fixed amount that applies.
- Escalate if refused: take unresolved claims to the airline's ADR scheme (e.g. AviationADR or CEDR) or the CAA — free to use.
- Know the deadline: in England and Wales you can claim up to 6 years back. Check old boarding passes — past delays still count.
Don't Let the Delay Cost You Twice on the Ground
A delayed flight often means a missed pickup, a driver gone, and surge-priced apps at the worst moment. This is exactly why Rushxo transfers include free live traffic routing: give us your flight number and your driver's pickup time moves automatically with the aircraft — landing 3 hours late costs you nothing extra and your car is still waiting. Pair a compensation claim in the terminal with a fixed fare home and a bad travel day gets a lot cheaper.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 3 hours mean departure or arrival?
Arrival at your final destination — measured when the aircraft doors open. A flight leaving 3 hours late but landing 2h50 late does not qualify.
My flight was cancelled — what am I owed?
With under 14 days' notice and a controllable cause: the same compensation amounts, plus a choice of full refund or re-routing, plus care while you wait.
Can the airline pay in vouchers?
Only if you agree. You are entitled to insist on cash (bank transfer).
Was the delay "extraordinary"? Airlines say so a lot.
They do — and ADR schemes regularly overturn it. Technical faults and crew scheduling are generally not extraordinary. If in doubt, escalate; it's free.