Claim compensation for a delayed or cancelled flight
See when compensation, a refund or re-routing is due under UK261, the time limits, and prepare a claim letter you review and send yourself.
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General legal information from official sources, not legal advice. You decide what to do.
What this problem is
UK261 covers flights leaving the UK, and flights arriving in the UK on a UK or EU airline. If your flight is cancelled you can usually choose a refund or re-routing, and compensation of £220 to £520 can be due depending on the distance, unless an exception applies.
Your rights in plain English
Compensation for cancellations
UK261, art. 5. If your flight is cancelled, you have the right to compensation from the airline unless you were told early enough or the cancellation was caused by extraordinary circumstances.
Verified source: Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 as retained (UK261), Article 5 — Cancellation(opens in a new tab)UK261, art. 7. Compensation is £220 for flights of 1,500 km or less, £350 for flights of 1,500–3,500 km, and £520 for longer flights, where compensation is due.
Verified source: Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 as retained (UK261), Article 7 — Right to compensation(opens in a new tab)
Refund or re-routing
UK261, art. 8. When the regulation gives you this right, you can choose a refund of the full ticket cost within seven days, or re-routing to your destination.
Verified source: Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 as retained (UK261), Article 8 — Right to reimbursement or re-routing(opens in a new tab)
Time limit for a court claim
6 years from the date of the flight (to start a court claim)
Verified source: Limitation Act 1980, s. 5 — Time limit for actions founded on simple contract(opens in a new tab)
Key deadlines
| Deadline | Source |
|---|---|
| Latest date to start a court claim (counting from the flight): 6 years (the date of the flight (to start a court claim)) |
The official process
Claim from the airline
Use the airline's claim form or write, with your booking reference and flight details.
Wait for its answer
Keep a copy of your claim and any reply.
Escalate
If the airline says no, use its alternative dispute resolution scheme or the Civil Aviation Authority.
Consider a court claim
As a last resort, you can claim through the county court.
Common mistakes
- Using a claims company before trying yourself: many claims are simple.
- Not keeping booking and boarding documents.
- Accepting a voucher without checking what you're giving up.
Rules where you live
Somewhere else? Start the guided questions and choose where you live: we'll show free information and people who can help.
Questions
Is this free?
The information on this page and your personalised results are free. If you want us to prepare a claim letter for you to review and send, the price is shown before you start.
What counts as extraordinary circumstances?
Events outside the airline's control, such as severe weather, can mean no compensation is due. A refund or re-routing may still be owed.
Get help from a person
Free and low-cost help, and official bodies that can step in.
- Civil Aviation Authority: delays and cancellationsThe UK aviation regulator's guide to your rights, and how to escalate a complaint about an airline.
- Citizens Advice: consumer adviceHelp with faulty goods, refunds and problems with traders.
- GOV.UK: make a court claim for moneyThe official guide to claiming money through the county court, including online.
Sources
Every rule on this page comes from these official sources. We check them regularly.
- Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 as retained (UK261), Article 5 — CancellationThe National Archives (legislation.gov.uk) · checked 24 Oct 2026
- Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 as retained (UK261), Article 7 — Right to compensationThe National Archives (legislation.gov.uk) · checked 24 Oct 2026
- Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 as retained (UK261), Article 8 — Right to reimbursement or re-routingThe National Archives (legislation.gov.uk) · checked 24 Oct 2026
- Limitation Act 1980, s. 5 — Time limit for actions founded on simple contractThe National Archives (legislation.gov.uk) · checked 24 Oct 2026
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