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If your flight is delayed or cancelled you may be owed care and assistance, a refund or re-routing, and fixed compensation of £110 to £520 per passenger, unless the cause was outside the airline's control. Compensation is not paid automatically: claim from the airline first, then use its alternative dispute resolution scheme or the Civil Aviation Authority if it refuses.
At a Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
When the UK Rules Apply
Which Flights Are Covered
UK flight rules (UK261) cover flights leaving a UK airport on any airline, flights arriving in the UK on an EU or UK airline, and flights arriving in the EU on a UK airline. source
Connecting Flights
Connecting flights on a single booking are judged by the distance between your first and last airports. Separate bookings (self-transfer) have no statutory right to care, compensation or onward transport for the missed connection. source
Delays
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
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
Cancellations
Refund or Re-Routing
Cancellations: you can choose a refund for all unused parts of the ticket (for example the return leg) or to be re-routed at no extra cost, at a time that suits you. Care and assistance also applies until you are flown, whatever the cause. source
When Compensation Is Due
Cancellation compensation is only due if you got less than 14 days' notice and the cause was within the airline's control. With 7 to 14 days' notice you may get half the full amount (£110, £175 or £260) if the replacement arrives only a little late, and the full £220, £350 or £520 if it arrives later, depending on distance. With under 7 days' notice the full amount applies unless the replacement left no more than 1 hour earlier and arrived less than 2 hours later. source
When You Get Nothing
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
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- 3 hoursDelay that qualifies for compensationMore than 3 hours late arriving at your final destination
- 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
- 14 daysCompensation for a cancellationOnly if you were told less than 14 days before departure
- 8 weeksAirline should reply to your complaintWithin 8 weeks, then you can escalate to ADR or the CAA
- 6 yearsLegal claim for compensationGenerally 6 years in England and Wales, 5 years in Scotland (the CAA page does not state a limit, so check before you wait)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Free routes to escalate, 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.
Card Provider: Section 75 or Chargeback
You paid by card and the airline has not refunded a cancelled flight.
Small Claims Court
The airline refuses and you want to claim the fixed compensation. Check the time limit first.
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 7
Keep your booking reference, boarding pass, the cancellation message and the actual arrival time at your final destination (the airline or a flight-tracking site can confirm it).
Step 2 of 7
Ask the airline for food, drink and a hotel if the delay is long. If it will not arrange this, buy reasonable items yourself and keep itemised receipts. Alcohol and luxury hotels are unlikely to be refunded.
Step 3 of 7
If your flight is cancelled, tell the airline in writing whether you want a refund or to be re-routed.
Step 4 of 7
Check whether you may be owed compensation using our flight delay checker, then claim to the airline in writing with our ready-made letter. You may need separate claims for compensation and for expenses.
Step 5 of 7
Ask for the reason for the delay. If the airline says extraordinary circumstances applied, ask for the evidence.
Step 6 of 7
If you are unhappy with the airline's final response, or it takes more than 8 weeks to reply, go to the airline's alternative dispute resolution (ADR) provider. If the airline is not in an ADR scheme, use the Civil Aviation Authority's Passenger Advice and Complaints Team.
Step 7 of 7
If that does not work, consider a small claims court claim. Check the time limit first.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Evidence and Your Letter
Gather your evidence, then build a letter you can send in minutes.
Evidence Checklist
0 of 8 gatheredTap each one when you have it.
CPUKLetter Generator
How This Works
- 1
Tick off the evidence you already have, and see what is still missing.
- 2
Answer the letter questions. Your answers fill in the wording for you.
- 3
Copy or download the letter, check every detail, and send it yourself.
A template, not legal advice.
Watch Out For
Common traps and scams to avoid.
Claims companies that take a large cut of your compensation (often 25% or more plus VAT) for something you can claim yourself for free. You do not need one.
Emails or texts about a delay or refund that ask you to click a link and enter card details. Use the airline's own app or website.
Accepting a voucher when you are entitled to a cash refund. You can ask for money back instead.
Being told 'extraordinary circumstances' without any detail. Ask for the specific cause and the evidence.
Recent or changing rules: tap to read
Amounts and notice bands are taken from the CAA delays and cancellations pages as read on 8 October 2026. The CAA delays page does not state a claim deadline; the 6 year (England and Wales) and 5 year (Scotland) figures are the general limitation periods and should be checked. Denied boarding and baggage rules were not checked for this guide. Rules on how airlines handle claims may change, so check the CAA pages before you rely on this.
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.
Not sure where you stand? Try our action plan tool or the free letter templates.
Sources and official links
- caa.co.uk/passengers/resolving-travel-problems/delays-and-cancellations/delays/ Checked 8 October 2026
- caa.co.uk/passengers/resolving-travel-problems/delays-and-cancellations/cancella Checked 8 October 2026
- caa.co.uk/passengers/resolving-travel-problems/how-to-claim-compensation/ Checked 8 October 2026
- citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/holiday-travel/ Checked 8 October 2026