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What Is UK261?
UK261 is the UK law on flight delays, cancellations and denied boarding. It covers flights leaving a UK airport on any airline, and flights into the UK or EU on a UK or EU airline (depending on the route). It sets fixed compensation of £220, £350 or £520 depending on distance, plus care while you wait.
At a Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
The Short Answer
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
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
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
- 14 daysCompensation for a cancellationOnly if you were told less than 14 days before departure
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 4
Check your flight is covered.
Step 2 of 4
Check how late you arrived at your final destination.
Step 3 of 4
Claim from the airline.
Step 4 of 4
Use our flight delay checker.
(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.
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/cancellations Checked 12 October 2026
- caa.co.uk/passengers/resolving-travel-problems/delays-and-cancellations/delays Checked 12 October 2026
- caa.co.uk/passengers/resolving-travel-problems/how-to-claim-compensation Checked 12 October 2026