Flight delay & cancellation compensation
If your flight was cancelled or delayed by more than 3 hours, you could be owed up to £520 per person under UK261, even for flights from the past few years. Use the free checker below to find out in about two minutes.
Check your flight for free
No win, no fee. Checking is free and there is no obligation to make a claim.
How much can you get?
Compensation under UK261 is based on the distance of your flight, not what you paid for your ticket.
Figures are the maximum per passenger under UK261 and may be reduced in some cases.
When can you claim?
Delays over 3 hours
Your flight arrived at its destination more than 3 hours late.
Cancellations
Your flight was cancelled with less than 14 days’ notice.
Denied boarding
You were bumped from a flight because it was overbooked.
Missed connections
A delay caused you to miss a connection and arrive 3+ hours late.
Good to know: there is no compensation when a disruption is caused by extraordinary circumstances outside the airline’s control, such as severe weather or air traffic control strikes. Even then, you may still be entitled to a refund, re-routing and care.
Your 3 steps to compensation
Check your flight
Enter your flight details in the free checker above. It takes about two minutes.
They handle everything
The claims team gathers the evidence and negotiates with the airline on your behalf.
You get paid
When the airline pays out, the compensation is transferred straight to you.
What else you’re entitled to
On top of compensation, your airline must look after you during a long disruption.
Alternative flight or full refund
For cancellations, missed connections or denied boarding due to overbooking.
Food & drink
Meals and refreshments while you wait, once the delay passes a few hours.
Accommodation & transfers
A hotel and transport to it if you are delayed overnight.
Two phone calls or emails
The airline must let you contact people to update them on your delay.
Compensation, refunds & reimbursements
These are three different things, and sometimes you’re entitled to more than one.
Compensation
Money paid to you when a flight is delayed or cancelled, up to £520 under UK261.
Refund
The cost of your ticket back. For cancellations you can usually choose a refund or an alternative flight.
Reimbursement
Money back for expenses during a disruption: food, transport and other essentials.
Lost or damaged luggage
Under the Montreal Convention you can claim up to around £1,550 for baggage that is damaged, delayed or lost. Report it at the baggage desk before you leave the airport and ask for a Property Irregularity Report (PIR), which you’ll need to claim.
- Damaged luggage: claim within 7 days.
- Delayed luggage: keep receipts for essentials and claim within 21 days.
- Lost luggage: claim for the contents within 2 years.
What you need to claim
- Your boarding pass (and any for alternative flights)
- Your booking confirmation or receipt
- The reason the airline gave for the disruption
- The final arrival time of your flight
- Any emails or notifications from the airline
- A photo of the flight information board, if you can
Tip: airlines sometimes offer vouchers or air miles instead of cash. Don’t accept these unless you’re sure it’s a fair deal, as you may be entitled to more in cash compensation.
Frequently asked questions
How much flight compensation can I claim?
Under UK261 you can claim up to £220 for shorter flights (up to 1,500 km), up to £350 for medium flights (1,500–3,500 km) and up to £520 for longer flights (over 3,500 km). The amount depends on the distance of your flight, not the price of your ticket.
How long do I have to make a claim?
In the UK you can generally claim compensation for a disrupted flight going back up to six years, so it is well worth checking older flights too.
When am I not entitled to compensation?
You are not owed compensation when a disruption is caused by “extraordinary circumstances” outside the airline’s control, for example severe weather, air traffic control strikes or security risks. You may still be entitled to a refund, re-routing and care such as food and accommodation.
Which flights are covered by UK261?
UK261 covers all flights departing from a UK airport, and flights arriving in the UK on a UK or EU airline. Similar EU rules (EC261) cover flights within, to and from the EU.
What about lost or damaged luggage?
Under the Montreal Convention you can claim up to around £1,550 for luggage that is lost, damaged or seriously delayed. Report the problem at the airport’s baggage desk straight away and ask for a Property Irregularity Report (PIR).
See what you’re owed
Checking is free, takes about two minutes, and there’s no obligation. If you have a valid claim, the team works on a no win, no fee basis.
Check your compensationWhich Terminal works with a regulated flight compensation partner. If you make a successful claim through our checker we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. Guidance on this page is general information about your rights under UK261 and is not legal advice.