Buying guide · Travel · 7 min read
Flight Delay Compensation Explained
If your flight is badly delayed, cancelled or overbooked, you may be entitled to help and possibly compensation. In Europe and the UK the main rules are EU Regulation 261/2004 (often called EU261) and its UK equivalent (UK261). Rules and amounts depend on distance and circumstances, so always check the regulation and the airline's guidance for your case.
Reviewed November 2026- 1
Check whether your flight is covered
In broad terms, EU261 covers flights departing from an EU airport, and flights arriving in the EU on an EU airline. UK261 works in a similar way for UK departures and for UK or EU airlines flying into the UK. Other countries have their own rules, which may be quite different.
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Know which situations can qualify
Compensation may apply to long delays on arrival (generally three hours or more), cancellations made at short notice, and being denied boarding because of overbooking. Exact thresholds and conditions apply, so check the details for your situation.
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Understand extraordinary circumstances
Airlines usually do not have to pay compensation when the disruption was caused by extraordinary circumstances outside their control, such as severe weather or certain security issues. Whether a particular cause counts can be disputed, and courts have ruled on many examples.
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Remember your right to care
Separately from compensation, airlines may have to provide meals, refreshments and, for overnight delays, accommodation while you wait. Keep receipts for reasonable expenses if the airline does not provide these.
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Collect your evidence
Keep your booking confirmation, boarding pass, and any messages from the airline about the delay or cancellation. Note the actual arrival time, which is generally when the aircraft doors open.
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Claim directly or use a claims service
You can claim directly with the airline, usually through an online form, at no cost. Claims companies handle the process for you in exchange for a fee or share of any payout, which can help if you do not want to deal with the airline yourself. Check the company's fee terms first.
Common mistakes
- Accepting vouchers without checking whether cash compensation was due.
- Throwing away boarding passes and booking emails.
- Assuming every delay qualifies; weather and some other causes usually do not.
- Signing up with a claims company without reading its fee terms.
