Flight Delay and Cancellation Compensation

We’ve put together all the information you need to know to get the compensation you deserve when things go wrong

When a flight is delayed or cancelled, passengers may be entitled to compensation under certain circumstances. In the United Kingdom, these rules are governed by the EU Regulation 261/2004, which sets out the rights of passengers in the event of denied boarding, flight cancellations, and long delays.

If a flight is delayed for more than three hours, or if a flight is cancelled, passengers may be entitled to compensation of up to €600 (£528) per person, depending on the length of the delay and the distance of the flight. The compensation amount is based on the distance of the flight, with shorter flights entitled to less compensation than longer flights.

How long the delay has to be in order to be eligible for compensation depends on the distance of the flight.

• Flight Distance less than 1500km – 2 Hours
• Flight Distance 1500-3500km – 3 Hours
• Flight Distance More than 3500 – 4 Hours

In order to claim compensation, passengers must have a confirmed booking for the flight and must have checked in on time. Additionally, the delay or cancellation must be the responsibility of the airline, and not due to extraordinary circumstances such as bad weather or strikes.

If the delay or cancellation is due to extraordinary circumstances, the airline is not liable to pay compensation. However, they are still required to provide assistance to passengers, such as food, drinks, and accommodation if necessary.

Passengers who are denied boarding due to overbooking or operational reasons may also be entitled to compensation, as well as assistance. If the denied boarding is due to overbooking, the airline must first ask for volunteers to give up their seats before denying boarding to any passengers. If the denied boarding is due to operational reasons, the airline must provide compensation and assistance to affected passengers.

In order to claim compensation, passengers should contact the airline directly. If the airline is not willing to provide compensation, passengers can also contact the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for assistance. The CAA can help passengers claim compensation and can also provide advice on how to make a complaint.

It’s important for passengers to keep all relevant documents, such as booking confirmation, boarding pass, and receipts for expenses incurred as a result of the delay or cancellation. These documents will be required when making a claim for compensation.

In conclusion, when a flight is delayed or cancelled, passengers may be entitled to compensation under certain circumstances. The rules for compensation are governed by the EU Regulation 261/2004 and the amount of compensation is based on the distance of the flight and the length of the delay. Passengers should contact the airline directly to claim compensation, and can also contact the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for assistance.