How to Claim Flight Delay Compensation in the UK — Up to £520 per Person
If your flight was delayed by 3 hours or more, you are legally entitled to compensation of up to £520 per passenger — backed by the UK Retained EU Regulation 261/2004. A formal letter to the airline is the first step.
The Law: UK Retained EC 261/2004
UK Retained EU Regulation 261/2004
The Air Passenger Rights and Air Travel Organisers' Licensing (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 retained EC 261/2004 in UK law after Brexit. This means UK passengers are entitled to the same compensation rights as before, enforceable under UK legislation. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is the enforcement body.
EC 261/2004 was originally an EU regulation that gave air passengers strong rights against airlines for delays, cancellations, and denied boarding. After Brexit, the UK government retained this regulation (with minor amendments) via the Air Passenger Rights and Air Travel Organisers' Licensing (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019. It is now called UK Retained EU Regulation 261/2004.
This regulation is directly applicable in UK law — you do not need a solicitor or a court case to enforce it. A formal letter citing the regulation and the Civil Aviation Authority's guidance is usually sufficient.
How Much Compensation Can You Claim?
Compensation is calculated based on the distance of the flight and the delay duration at the destination:
| Flight Distance | Delay at Destination | Compensation per Passenger |
|---|---|---|
| Short-haul (under 1,500 km) | 3+ hours | £220 |
| Medium-haul (1,500–3,500 km) | 3+ hours | £350 |
| Long-haul (over 3,500 km) | 3–4 hours | £260 |
| Long-haul (over 3,500 km) | 4+ hours | £520 |
Compensation is per passenger. A family of four on a 3+ hour delayed long-haul flight could claim up to £2,080.
Important note: The airline owes you compensation for delays. For cancellations, different rules apply — you may be entitled to a refund AND compensation (or a rerouting), depending on how much notice you were given. If your flight was cancelled, not just delayed, check the cancellation rules separately.
When You Have a Valid Claim
You have grounds to claim compensation when all of the following apply:
- The flight was delayed by 3 or more hours at the destination airport (not departure)
- The flight was not cancelled — this guide covers delays only
- The delay was not caused by extraordinary circumstances — the airline must prove this
- The flight departed within the last 6 years — claim as soon as possible
- The flight was:
- Departing from any airport with a UK or EU-licensed airline, OR
- Arriving at a UK airport with any airline
Note: Airlines often claim "extraordinary circumstances" to avoid paying. Technical faults, crew shortages, and operational issues are not extraordinary circumstances — these are within the airline's control. Only weather, security threats, air traffic control restrictions, and political instability are typically accepted.
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What Your Claim Letter Should Include
Flight Delay Compensation Claim Letter Checklist
- Your full name, address, email, and phone number
- Flight date, flight number, and airline name
- Departure and destination airports
- Scheduled departure and arrival times
- Actual arrival time (with source of evidence)
- Delay duration (actual arrival minus scheduled arrival)
- Reference to UK Retained EU Regulation 261/2004
- Compensation amount claimed (per passenger, by distance band)
- Number of passengers covered by this claim
- Flight booking reference / PNR
- Bank details for the refund (if requesting a bank transfer)
- Deadline for response (28 days per CAA guidance)
Key tip: Always claim directly to the airline first before going to the CAA. Airlines have 8 weeks to respond. If they don't respond or refuse, then contact the CAA or an approved ADR scheme. The CAA will reject cases where the airline hasn't been given the chance to respond first.
What to Do If the Airline Refuses
Write to the airline (required first step)
Send a formal written claim to the airline citing UK Retained EU Regulation 261/2004. Keep a copy of the letter and any delivery confirmation. Airlines must respond within 8 weeks per CAA guidance.
Check the airline's ADR scheme
Most major airlines are signed up to an approved Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) scheme. If the airline refuses and is a member of an ADR scheme, you can escalate to the ADR provider for a decision at no cost. The CAA website lists all approved ADR providers.
Complain to the Civil Aviation Authority
If 8 weeks have passed with no response, or if the airline has refused and is not part of an ADR scheme, you can escalate to the CAA. The CAA can investigate and, where appropriate, take enforcement action against the airline. This is free and can be done online at caa.co.uk.
Small claims court as a last resort
If the CAA cannot help (e.g., the airline disputes the claim), you can make a claim in the County Court via the Money Claim Online service. Most flight delay claims for individual passengers fall under the small claims track (£10,000 or less) — no solicitor needed. Court fees are £35–£205 depending on the amount.
How it works
Check your eligibility
Confirm your flight was 3+ hours late and not due to extraordinary circumstances.
Calculate your claim
Use the distance table above to determine the compensation per passenger.
Write your formal claim
Send a formal letter to the airline citing UK Regulation 261/2004. Most claims are resolved without escalation.
Need professional help?
Speak to a specialist solicitor
If your airline is refusing to pay and has not responded to your formal claim, or if your claim is complex (multi-passenger, multiple flights, disputed extraordinary circumstances), we can connect you with a specialist in flight compensation law.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about flight delay compensation claims in the UK.
Does UK Regulation 261/2004 apply to all airlines?
It applies to any flight departing from a UK airport (any airline) and any flight operated by a UK or EU carrier (any departure point). So if you flew from London to New York with a UK or EU airline, you are covered. If you flew from New York to London with a non-UK/EU airline (e.g., Emirates), you may not be covered unless the airline voluntarily adopts the standard.
My flight was delayed but I was rebooked on another plane. Do I still qualify?
If you eventually arrived at your destination 3 or more hours after the scheduled arrival time, you qualify for compensation — regardless of whether you were rebooked. The calculation is based on the final actual arrival time, not the original flight's delay.
The airline said the delay was due to weather. Do I still qualify?
Severe weather is one of the few recognised extraordinary circumstances. However, the airline must prove the weather was so severe that the delay could not have been avoided. A short weather delay at the destination when the flight was delayed by 5+ hours would not typically be accepted. Many airlines over-claim extraordinary circumstances — a formal letter challenging their assertion often results in payment.
Can I claim compensation for a delayed flight I took 3 years ago?
There is no fixed statutory time limit under UK Regulation 261/2004, but airlines' terms and conditions may set limits (typically 2 years). You should submit your claim as soon as possible. The Civil Aviation Authority advises passengers to claim within 6 months where possible. If the airline refuses due to time limits, you can still escalate to the CAA.