Guides › Flights › Flight Delayed: Food, Drinks and a Hotel
Flight Delayed: Food, Drinks and a Hotel
Once a delay reaches 2 hours (under 1,500 km), 3 hours (1,500 to 3,500 km) or 4 hours (over 3,500 km), the airline should give you food and drink suited to the wait, two phone calls or emails, and a hotel and transport if the delay is overnight. This applies whatever the cause, even in extraordinary circumstances. If the delay is at least 5 hours you can choose not to travel and get a refund.
At a Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
Care and Assistance
Care and Assistance
Care and assistance for long delays, whatever the cause: once the delay reaches 2 hours (under 1,500 km), 3 hours (1,500 to 3,500 km) or 4 hours (over 3,500 km) you should get food and drink suited to the wait, two phone calls or emails, and a hotel and transport if the delay is overnight. source
Delays of 5 Hours or More
If a delay is at least 5 hours you can choose not to travel and get a refund for the unused flights. The CAA advises against this if you still want to travel. source
Extraordinary Circumstances
No compensation is due if the cause was extraordinary circumstances, for example extreme weather or airport or air traffic control strikes. Your rights to care, a refund or re-routing still apply. source
Compensation
Compensation for Long Delays
Delays: you may get compensation if you arrive more than 3 hours late at your destination airport. The amount is fixed and does not depend on the price you paid: £220 under 1,500 km, £350 for 1,500 to 3,500 km, and over 3,500 km £260 if 3 to 4 hours late or £520 if more than 4 hours late. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- 2 to 4 hoursCare and assistance for a delayFrom 2 hours (under 1,500 km), 3 hours (1,500 to 3,500 km) or 4 hours (over 3,500 km)
- 5 hoursChoose a refund instead of travellingIf the delay is at least 5 hours
- 3 hoursDelay that qualifies for compensationMore than 3 hours late arriving at your final destination
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 4
Ask the airline staff for meal vouchers and, if the delay is overnight, a hotel and transport.
Step 2 of 4
If they do not provide them, buy reasonable food or a hotel yourself and keep every receipt.
Step 3 of 4
Claim the costs back from the airline afterwards, with your receipts. Our free letter templates can write it for you.
Step 4 of 4
If you arrived more than 3 hours late, also check whether fixed compensation is due.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
Airline's Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Provider
You are unhappy with the airline's final response, or it has taken more than 8 weeks to reply, and the airline belongs to an ADR scheme.
Civil Aviation Authority: Passenger Advice and Complaints Team
The airline is not in an ADR scheme, after you have complained to the airline first.
Small Claims Court
The airline refuses and you want to claim the fixed compensation. Check the time limit first.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
Keep receipts reasonable: the airline should cover costs suited to the wait.
Want Help?
If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 12 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- caa.co.uk/passengers/resolving-travel-problems/delays-and-cancellations/delays Checked 12 October 2026
- caa.co.uk/passengers/resolving-travel-problems/delays-and-cancellations/cancellations Checked 12 October 2026
- caa.co.uk/passengers/resolving-travel-problems/how-to-claim-compensation Checked 12 October 2026
- gov.uk/make-a-court-claim-for-money Checked 8 October 2026