Guides › Flights › Time Limit to Claim Flight Compensation
Time Limit to Claim Flight Compensation
Claim from the airline first. It should reply within 8 weeks; after that you can escalate to its ADR scheme or the CAA. For a legal claim, the limit is generally 6 years in England and Wales and 5 years in Scotland. The CAA page does not state a limit, so do not wait: claim as soon as you can.
At a Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
What You Can Claim
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
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 £110, £175 or £260 (depending on distance) if the replacement flight gets you there less than 2, 3 or 4 hours late, and the full £220, £350 or £520 if it is later than that. 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
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.
- 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)
- 8 weeksAirline should reply to your complaintWithin 8 weeks, then you can escalate to ADR or the CAA
- 3 hoursDelay that qualifies for compensationMore than 3 hours late arriving at your final destination
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 4
Find your booking reference, boarding passes and the time you arrived.
Step 2 of 4
Claim from the airline in writing. Our free letter templates can write it for you.
Step 3 of 4
If it does not reply within 8 weeks, or says no, use its ADR scheme or the CAA.
Step 4 of 4
Do not wait until the end of the time limit: evidence is easier to find early.
(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.
Use our flight delay checker to see whether you could be owed compensation.
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