Flight Delayed? How to Claim Compensation (UK261)

What you may be owed if your flight arrived late, how much, and a ready-made claim letter to the airline.

Short answer: You may be owed £220, £350, £260 or £520 per passenger (depending on distance and how late) if you reached your final destination more than 3 hours late and the airline was responsible. Claim from the airline first.

The Rule

Late arrival counts, not late take-off. The 3 hours is measured at your final destination.
Amounts per person: £220 for flights under 1,500 km; £350 for 1,500 to 3,500 km; over 3,500 km, £260 if you were 3 to 4 hours late and £520 if 4 hours or more (the CAA’s figures; rules last checked 7 October 2026).
No compensation if the delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances, such as extreme weather or air-traffic-control or airport staff strikes. Care duties (food, drink, communication and a hotel if needed) still apply on long delays.
Time limit: 6 years in England and Wales, 5 years in Scotland.

Not sure it applies to your flight? Use our flight delay checker.

What to Do

Gather your booking reference, flight number, date, boarding pass and receipts for extra costs.
Write down the actual arrival time at your final destination (flight-tracking sites or the airline can confirm).
Claim to the airline in writing using the letter below. Ask for the reason for the delay.
If it refuses or does not answer, go to the airline’s alternative dispute resolution provider, or to the Civil Aviation Authority’s complaints team, as described on the CAA page below. Use the company guide for your airline.

Ready-to-Use Letter or Email

Copy this, fill in the square brackets and send it in writing. Keep a copy and proof of sending.

Subject: Claim for compensation under UK261, flight [flight number] on [date]

Dear [airline] customer relations,

I was a passenger on flight [flight number] from [departure airport] to [arrival airport] on [date], booking reference [reference]. We arrived at our final destination at [actual arrival time], which was [number] hours after the scheduled arrival time of [scheduled time].

Under UK261, I believe I am entitled to compensation of [amount] for each of the [number] passengers on this booking. Please tell me in writing what caused the delay and, if you say extraordinary circumstances applied, give the evidence.

Please pay [total amount] to me within 14 days, to the account I will give you on request. If you do not agree, please send me your final response and the name of the alternative dispute resolution body you use.

Yours sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]

Flight delay checker
Flight cancelled?
Company complaint guides (airlines are listed under Airlines and travel)

Sources

Last checked 4 October 2026. Rules change, so check the official page before you rely on this. This is general information, not legal advice.

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