Flight Delay Compensation under UK261

UK261 applies to:

• All flights departing from a UK airport, regardless of the airline's nationality
• Flights arriving into the UK operated by a UK-based or EU-based carrier (e.g., British Airways, easyJet, Ryanair, Wizz Air)
• Flights arriving into the UK on a non-UK/EU carrier are only covered if you departed from the UK on the outbound leg

Compensation amounts by journey distance:

• Up to 1,500 km: £220 per passenger
• 1,500–3,500 km: £350 per passenger
• Over 3,500 km: £520 per passenger

The delay is measured at the time the aircraft doors open at your final destination, compared to your scheduled arrival time. A delay of exactly 3 hours triggers eligibility.

Airlines do not have to pay compensation if they can prove the delay was caused by "extraordinary circumstances" that could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken. The Civil Aviation Authority recognises the following as extraordinary circumstances:

• Severe weather (storms, lightning strikes, heavy snow at the airport)
• Air traffic control strikes or restrictions
• Security risks or political instability
• Hidden manufacturing defects in the aircraft

Airlines often incorrectly claim extraordinary circumstances. Technical faults — such as a broken part that should have been caught in routine maintenance — generally do not qualify. If you believe an airline has wrongly refused your claim, escalate to the CAA or an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) scheme approved by the CAA, such as CEDR or Aviation ADR.

Regardless of whether you are entitled to financial compensation, UK261 gives you the right to care and assistance once your departure is delayed beyond certain thresholds:

• 2 hours (short-haul): Meals and refreshments proportionate to the waiting time, two telephone calls, emails or faxes
• 3 hours (medium-haul): Same as above
• 4 hours (long-haul): Same as above
• Overnight delay: Hotel accommodation and transport between the airport and hotel

If the airline fails to provide care, keep all receipts for reasonable expenses such as meals, drinks, and accommodation. You can claim these costs back from the airline, though amounts must be reasonable — luxury meals and upgrades are unlikely to be reimbursed.

To claim flight delay compensation:

1. Write to the airline directly with your booking reference, flight number, date, and the delay duration. Keep a copy.
2. If the airline rejects or ignores your claim within 8 weeks, escalate to an ADR scheme (CEDR, Aviation ADR) — these are free to use and binding on the airline.
3. If the airline is not signed up to an ADR scheme, you can complain to the Civil Aviation Authority or issue a claim through the county court (small claims track up to £10,000).

You have 6 years from the date of the flight to make a claim in England and Wales (5 years in Scotland). Claims management companies operate in this area but take a commission of up to 30% — it is almost always better to claim directly.

UK261 compensation and your broader consumer law rights are separate and can be pursued together. Understanding how they interact helps you maximise your recovery.

Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974

If you paid for your flight by credit card and the total transaction was between £100 and £30,000, your credit card provider is jointly and severally liable with the airline for any breach of contract or misrepresentation. This means if the airline refuses to pay UK261 compensation or goes into administration, you can claim directly from your card provider. Section 75 is particularly powerful when:

• The airline has become insolvent and UK261 compensation is uncollectable.
• The airline is non-UK/EU based and outside the reach of CAA enforcement.
• You have suffered losses beyond the UK261 compensation cap (e.g., missed connecting transport, hotel costs).

Consumer Rights Act 2015 — services and care obligations

The Consumer Rights Act 2015 (CRA 2015) requires that services — including air transport — are provided with reasonable skill and care and within a reasonable time. If your flight was significantly delayed through the airline's own operational failures (not extraordinary circumstances), the CRA 2015 entitles you to a price reduction reflecting the shortfall in service quality. This remedy is separate from UK261 compensation and can supplement it where, for example, you suffered measurable consequential losses beyond the fixed-rate compensation.

CMA enforcement and the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has powers to take enforcement action against airlines that systematically refuse to pay UK261 compensation or that engage in misleading practices when handling claims. The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCCA 2024) strengthened the CMA's direct enforcement powers, enabling it to impose fines of up to 10% of global turnover without requiring a court order. Consumers can report patterns of airline non-compliance to the CMA at gov.uk/government/organisations/competition-and-markets-authority, which can trigger investigations and improve industry-wide compliance.