How to claim UK flight compensation?
How to claim UK flight delay compensation?
There are different situations. In some of situations, you have several options, either you can do it all yourself or to hand it over to flight compensation company. In others situations — only one option — to deal with it yourself. It’s also important to know the difference between a compensation and refund, as it’s not the same thing. In some situations you are eligible to a compensation, in others — to a refund. There are also situations when you can get both.
Regulation UK261
Enshrined under EU Regulation 261/2004 and now adopted into UK law as UK261, this law protects passengers who experience significant delays or cancellations. Whether your flight was delayed by over three hours or cancelled less than 14 days before departure, you may be eligible to claim up to £520 in compensation. The same applies to UK charter flights.
In this article we will guide you through the process, offering expert advice on how to claim your due.
How to Claim UK Flight Compensation?
It depends from the type of compensation you want to claim. Generally speaking, you can either claim UK flight compensation yourself, work with a flight compensation company or law office, or ask your travel insurance company for help. The latter mostly applies to refunds not compensation, and problems with baggage.
Below are few of the most popular situations.
1. UK Flight Compensation
It applies to flights with UK, EU and other airlines.
Here’s where and how it works (list of countries).
1.1 Long Flight Delay
UK flight delay compensation:
- You have arrived with a delay of 3+ hours;
- Delay is due to the fault of the airline, not some extraordinary circumstances.
Contact your airline’s customer support centre using the official website of the airline. Submit a compensation claim form. Be persistent when doing that by yourself. Refer to Regulation UK261.
Or file a claim via our partners, a flight compensation company.
By Europe and EU here on this website, 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.
Read more: UK Flight Delay Compensation
1.2 Flight Cancellation
UK flight cancellation compensation:
- Last-minute flight cancellation (2 weeks or less before the flight);
- It’s due to the fault of your airline (not bad weather, security issues, etc.).
Contact the airline’s customer support centre using their website. Alternatively you can use social media channels to reach out to your airline. And again, refer to Regulation UK261. When in doubts whether you are being told the truth, ask for a proof of what the airline is telling you.
Or file a claim with our partners. Click on the link below.
Remember, that the rules are slightly different depending on when is your flight cancelled (0-7 days before the flight or 7-14 days before the flight.
Read more: UK Flight Cancellation Compensation
1.3 Denied Boarding / Overbooking
UK denied boarding compensation:
- Bording denial due to overbooking (no free seats);
- It’s due to overbooking, not because there are problems with your passport, visa, or some paperwork needed for travelling is missing, etc.
In order to claim compensation your airline owes you, contact the airline’s customer support centre using their website. Refer to Regulation UK261. As long as it isn’t your fault that you have been denied boarding, this is the easiest compensation to claim, even if you do it all yourself.
Or file a claim with a flight compensation company.
What is overbooking? Overbooking, also referred to as overselling, is a practice commonly used in the travel and hospitality industry where more tickets or bookings than available supply are sold. Airlines, for example, often overbook flights knowing that it is unlikely all ticketed passengers will show up. While this approach can maximize income and allow for more choice and cheaper fares for consumers, it can also lead to situations where passengers are bumped from their flights due to lack of space. To learn more about your rights in cases like this read the article linked below.
Read more: UK Denied Boarding Compensation
1.4 Missed Connection Flight
One of the flights in your itinerary has been delayed or cancelled, and because of that, you miss your connecting flight. According to Regulation UK261, in these situations, you may be entitled to missed connection compensation, as long as you reach your destination 2-3 hours later than initially planned.
- You have arrived with a delay of at least 2-3 hours;
- It’s fault of your airline, not something unavoidable.
Contact your airline’s customer support centre using their website.
Refer to the same law — Regulation UK261.
Or file a claim with our partners linked below.
Read more: UK Missed Connection Compensation
1.5 Downgrading
If you are downgraded, you are eligible to compensation.
The amounts of involuntary downgrade compensation are between 30 to 75% of the price of your ticket. The longer your flight, the bigger will be your compensation. The main difference is that this type of compensation should be paid on spot.
If that hasn’t happened, make sure to contact your airline and file a claim. You don’t have to accept any coupons or vouchers. In case of any issues, refer to Regulation UK261.
Read more: UK Flight Downgrade Compensation
Technical Problems Are Airline’s Fault
When we talk about flight delays, missed connections or cancellations, airlines often attribute these issues to “extraordinary circumstances” – a term that exempts them from paying compensation to passengers. However, it’s crucial to understand that technical problems with an airplane do not fall under this category. Instead, they are considered the airlines’ fault and responsibility.
The reason is simple: maintaining the aircraft in top working condition is the airline’s duty. Hence, any technical glitches that lead to delays or cancellations are seen as a failure on their part to fulfil this duty. Consequently, passengers affected by such issues are entitled to claim compensation under UK261 and EU air passenger rights regulations.
2. Scenarios When You Can Get Flight Compensation (UK Law / EU Law)
Here is a list of all possible scenarios.
In some cases, you can refer to either of the two regulations (Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 or Regulation UK261) and when filing a compensation claim against the airline, in some cases — only to one of the two. Take into account that if it’s a connecting flight, your destination is your final destination.
You’re flying with a UK airline:
Regulation UK261 | Regulation EC261/2004 | |
| EU – EU | ✓ | ✓ |
| EU – UK | ✓ | ✓ |
| EU – Third Country | ✓ | ✓ |
| UK – EU | ✓ | – |
| UK – UK | ✓ | – |
| UK – Third Country | ✓ | – |
| Third Country – EU | ✓ | – |
| Third Country – UK | ✓ | – |
Biggest UK airlines? Some of the biggest UK airlines by passenger numbers, fleet size, and international destinations include British Airways, EasyJet, Virgin Atlantic, TUI Airways, and Ryanair. Speaking of Ryanair, here we are talking only about Ryanair UK.
You’re flying with a EU airline:
| Regulation UK261 | Regulation EC261/2004 | |
| EU – EU | – | ✓ |
| EU – UK | ✓ | ✓ |
| EU – Third Country | – | ✓ |
| UK – EU | ✓ | ✓ |
| UK – UK | ✓ | – |
| UK – Third Country | ✓ | – |
| Third Country – EU | – | ✓ |
| Third Country – UK | ✓ | – |
Biggest EU airlines? As of 2023, Ryanair, an Irish low-cost carrier, holds the top spot as Europe’s biggest airline by passenger numbers, followed closely by EasyJet and Wizz Air. Other significant players include Lufthansa and Air France-KLM.
You’re flying with other airlines (non-EU, non-UK):
| Regulation UK261 | Regulation EC261/2004 | |
| EU – EU | – | ✓ |
| EU – UK | – | ✓ |
| EU – Third Country | – | ✓ |
| UK – EU | ✓ | – |
| UK – UK | ✓ | – |
| UK – Third Country | ✓ | – |
To sum it up: You are protected against most flight disruptions, if your flight is with a UK or EU airline. If you are flying with a non-EU or non-UK airline, you are protected only if the flight departs from the EU or UK.
- You Are Flying With a UK Airline: Which Laws Protect You as a Passenger?
- You Are Flying With a EU Airline: Which Laws Protect You as a Passenger?
- You Are Flying With a Non-EU, Non-UK Airline: Which Laws Protect You?
3. UK Baggage Compensation
When it comes to baggage, there are two options.
Either you can let your insurance company handle that, or you can file a claim through your airline’s website. Flight compensation companies usually don’t deal with baggage compensation claims. In these situations you are protected by the Montreal Convention and your airline’s Conditions of Carriage.
3.1 Damaged Baggage
Follow these steps to claim for damage:
- File a damage report at the airport or online within a few days (each airline has its own deadline, but usually it’s 7 days);
- Provide all the necessary information;
- Get compensation up to GBP 1,100.
Read more: Lost and Delayed Baggage Compensation in the UK and EU
3.2 Delayed Baggage
If your baggage is delayed, here’s what you should do:
- Report the loss of your baggage at the airport;
- Contact your airline, if you haven’t gotten your bag back after a few days (every airline has its own guidelines regarding delayed baggage);
- Get reimbursement for your expenses (essential items you have had to purchase because your baggage was delayed).
Read more: Lost and Delayed Baggage Compensation in the UK and EU
3.3 Lost Baggage
Not often, but there are also situations when baggage gets lost.
Follow these steps to claim for baggage loss:
- Report the loss of your baggage at the airport;
- Contact your airline, if you haven’t gotten your bag back after 3-5 days;
- After 21 days, when the bag is considered lost, provide a list of things you had in your baggage, to receive a compensation of up to GBP 1,100.
Read more: Lost and Delayed Baggage Compensation in the UK and EU
The Montreal Convention
When it comes to baggage, these rules are set by the Montreal Convention.
The Montreal Convention, formally known as the Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules for International Carriage by Air, establishes airline liability in cases of delay, damage or loss of baggage. The convention applies to both checked and unchecked baggage while it is under the care of the airline (mostly that means only checked baggage; as long as your carry-on bag is with you).
In the event of lost, damaged, or delayed baggage, passengers are entitled to compensation from the airline. It’s airline’s responsibility to take care of your baggage.
It’s important to note that this compensation is limited. Hence it may not cover the value of what was lost. That’s why for the most valuable items, it’s advisable to carry them with you.
4. UK Refund For Cancellation
If the airline cancels your flight, you can get a refund.
It means that you can get back all the money you paid for your flight. Sometimes you can get only a refund, but in some situations, you can get both a refund and compensation. Just don’t forget to make a claim. Contact your airline, claim refund, follow up in a couple of weeks, and repeat the process, if necessary.
To learn more about this, read the article linked below.
Read more: UK Refund For Cancellation
Claiming UK Flight Compensation Yourself
Claiming UK flight compensation yourself can be a straightforward process if you know your rights and follow the correct procedures. For the best result, it’s also crucial to keep all documentation related to your flight, such as boarding passes and receipts, as these may be required as evidence.
However, perhaps the most important thing when claiming compensation yourself, not with a help of a flight compensation company, is to be persistent. Know your rights and don’t agree to anything less. Airlines use different tactics to avoid paying flight compensation — they make things look worse than they are, call avoidable technical problems extraordinary circumstances, offer coupons instead of refunds, don’t reply to your messages, etc.
It isn’t only about the UK airlines, or flights to/from the UK.
Many airlines all around the world use these tactics.
Court Action or CAA Claim
In some cases, court action may be necessary.
If your compensation claim is refused, you should take it to National Enforcement Body (NEB) of the country your flight is from. In the case with the UK, contact the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). It’s better to do it this way, as it may eliminate need for court action altogether. Whatever the outcome compensation-wise, a positive NEB ruling will hugely benefit you in the court, by highly improving your chances for a positive outcome.
Remember, it’s your right to be compensated for disruptions and problems that are within the airline’s control. You have a right to this compensation/refund/baggage compensation.
Read more: Who Regulates UK Airlines?
Featured photo by Kaboompics .com from Pexels