How much compensation can you claim for flight delay in the UK?
If your UK flight was delayed, and it was due to the airline’s fault (i.e., technical issues, staffing shortages, etc.) you may be eligible to receive compensation as per UK law. The amount you can claim, however, varies depending on the distance of your flight. It’s important to note that the compensation amounts for flight delays, cancellations, and denied boarding are the same.
Additionally, these compensation amounts remain consistent both in the UK and the EU.
1. UK Air Passenger Rights: Regulation UK261
Was your UK flight delayed?
What are your air passenger rights in the UK?
How much compensation can you claim for flight delay in the UK?
It’s important to note that your rights for flight delay, flight cancellation, and denied boarding due to overbooking have not changed since Brexit. They are still the same, as they were when the EU Regulation 261/2004 was applicable in the UK.
The reason for this is the introduction of a new law, Regulation UK261, which is basically the same as Regulation 261/2004. The only difference is that the fixed compensation amounts are now in Pound sterling instead of euros. Apart from that, everything stays the same.
Rest assured that despite Brexit, your entitlements for flight disruptions are still preserved to guarantee a seamless travel experience. The amount you can claim varies depending on the distance of your flight. More on that below.
Read more: Regulation EC261 vs UK261
Compensation amounts for flight delays, cancellations, and denied boarding are the same.
1.1 Who Can Claim Airline Compensation for Flight Delay?
Who can seek compensation for flight delays? Who is entitled to file a claim?
Any individual who has purchased a ticket has the right to seek compensation.
1.2 Which Flights and Airlines Are Eligible?
Which flights are covered? And which airlines are eligible?
The coverage encompasses all commercial flights departing from, arriving at, or traveling within the European Union, UK, Iceland, Norway, or Switzerland, as long as the airline bears responsibility for any disruptions. The same applies to EU and UK charter airlines. If your flight originates from a country outside the EU, EEA, or the UK, it must be operated by a European airline.
This regulation also extends to charter flights.
Which flights and airlines are covered?
- EU airlines;
- UK airlines;
- Charter airlines and charter flights;
- Non-European airlines (but only their flights from Europe).
Read more: Countries Where Regulation UK261 Works
2. How Much Compensation Can You Claim for Flight Delay in the UK?
If your UK flight is delayed, you may be wondering how much compensation can you claim for flight delay in the UK? Compensation amounts are determined by law and are based on the distance of your flight.
Here’s a breakdown of the compensation amounts:
- 1,500 km or less (it’s a 1 or 2 hour-long flight) — GBP 220;
- Between 1,500 km and 3,500 km – GBP 350;
- Greater than 3,500 km – GBP 520.
These amounts are in accordance with UK regulation 261. It’s important to note that the longer your journey, the higher the compensation you can claim. When calculating the compensation amount, consider your final destination. For instance, if you have a connecting flight from London to Bangkok via Doha and the first leg is delayed, causing you to miss your next flight and arrive in Bangkok 3 hours later than planned, you may be eligible for compensation.
When determining the compensation amount for this specific flight, we will consider it as a London to Bangkok journey since the final destination holds significance in this case. It’s worth noting that longer flights are eligible for higher compensation.
Under certain circumstances, each passenger has the potential to receive compensation of up to GBP 520. For instance, if you’re a family of four, you could potentially receive up to GBP 2080 (GBP 520 multiplied by 4). This amount is quite substantial, wouldn’t you agree?
2.1 How Much Can You Claim for Flight Cancellation or Denied Boarding?
What is the compensation amount for flight cancellation or denied boarding?
Keep in mind that the compensation amounts are identical, regardless of whether it’s due to a delay, cancellation, or overbooking.
Here are the specified amounts:
- 1,500 km or less (it’s a 1 or 2 hour-long flight) — GBP 220;
- Between 1,500 km and 3,500 km – GBP 350;
- Greater than 3,500 km – GBP 520.
3. How to Claim Flight Compensation for Flight Delay in the UK?
There are two options how you can claim flight compensation in the UK.
Option 1: Claim Compensation Yourself
To claim UK flight compensation, reach out to the airline directly.
Refer to either UK261 or EU261, depending on your flight’s route.
Submit all the required documentation and patiently await their response. Should the airline reject your claim and you disagree, escalate the matter to the NEB of the country your flight originated from. If the issue still remains unresolved, you may consider taking legal action or seeking assistance from a flight compensation company.
Option 2: Work With a Flight Compensation Company
We can connect you with a flight compensation company.
By choosing this option, all the necessary paperwork and investigations will be taken care of on your behalf. And what’s the best part of legal representation? You can sit back and relax while experts take care of these legalities for you.
When choosing this option, here is all you will have to do:
And that’s it — the rest is handled by professionals.
* Your boarding pass and passport or ID copy.
Read more: Why Seek Legal Representation to Claim UK Flight Compensation?
Even if you’re uncertain about your eligibility for compensation, don’t hesitate to submit a claim. Experts will conduct a thorough investigation on your behalf. If it turns out that you can’t get a compensation, mostly the service costs nothing.
Our partners work with easyJet, British Airways and other UK and EU airlines. If your flight departed from the airport in the UK, EEA or EU, they can help you with most airline claims (including, Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, American Airlines, etc.).
Contact us if you have any questions about Regulations UK261 or EU261.
By Europe and EU here on this page we mean all EU Member States, the United Kingdom (UK), Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion, Mayotte, Saint Martin (French Antilles), the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.
Featured photo by Leeloo Thefirst from Pexels