TL;DR
Don't miss out on what you're owed. Use our Flight Delay Compensation Checker to quickly determine if your UK or EU flight delay qualifies for compensation and estimate your payout, guiding your next steps. Stuck at an airport?
Key takeaways
- Arrived at its final destination more than three hours late.
- The delay was the airline's fault (not due to "extraordinary circumstances").
- The flight departed from the UK or EU (on any airline), or arrived in the UK or EU (on a UK or EU airline).
- Whether you are likely to be eligible for compensation.
- The estimated amount you could be owed, from £220 to £520 per passenger.
Don't miss out on what you're owed. Use our Flight Delay Compensation Checker to quickly determine if your UK or EU flight delay qualifies for compensation and estimate your payout, guiding your next steps.
Stuck at an airport? Arrived at your destination hours late? It’s a frustrating experience that can ruin the start or end of a holiday. But there's a silver lining. Under UK and EU law, you could be entitled to hundreds of pounds in compensation.
The rules can be confusing, and airlines aren't always quick to pay up. That's why we've created a simple tool to cut through the noise. Our free Flight Delay Compensation Checker gives you an instant answer on your eligibility and shows you how much you could claim.
When Can You Claim? The Rules Explained
Your right to compensation comes from a law known as 'UK 261'. This is the UK's version of the European 'EC 261' regulation, which was kept in UK law after Brexit. It means you have strong rights when travelling.
You can claim compensation if your flight:
- Arrived at its final destination more than three hours late.
- The delay was the airline's fault (not due to "extraordinary circumstances").
- The flight departed from the UK or EU (on any airline), or arrived in the UK or EU (on a UK or EU airline).
The amount you can claim is fixed and depends on the flight distance and the length of the delay. It has nothing to do with the price of your ticket.
| Flight Distance | Length of Delay (at arrival) | Compensation Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 1,500 km (e.g., London to Paris) | 3+ hours | £220 |
| 1,500 km - 3,500 km (e.g., Manchester to Marrakech) | 3+ hours | £350 |
| Over 3,500 km (e.g., Glasgow to New York) | 3 - 4 hours | £260 |
| Over 3,500 km (e.g., Glasgow to New York) | 4+ hours | £520 |
How to Use Our Flight Delay Compensation Checker
Our calculator is designed to be quick and easy. In under a minute, you can find out if you have a valid claim.
Step 1: Enter Your Flight Details Tell us where your flight took off from and where it landed. This helps us calculate the distance.
Step 2: Provide Airline Information Let us know if you were flying with a UK or EU-based airline. This is important for flights arriving in the UK/EU from elsewhere.
Step 3: State Your Delay Enter the number of hours you were delayed. Crucially, this is the delay on arrival, not departure.
The Result: Instantly, the Flight Delay Compensation Checker will tell you:
- Whether you are likely to be eligible for compensation.
- The estimated amount you could be owed, from £220 to £520 per passenger.
Worked Example
Sarah and her family of four were flying from London Heathrow to Orlando, Florida. Their flight was delayed on the tarmac due to a technical issue with the aircraft. They eventually took off and landed in Orlando 4 hours and 30 minutes after their scheduled arrival time.
- Inputs: Sarah enters London to Orlando, confirms it's a UK airline, and inputs a delay of 4.5 hours.
- Result (illustrative): The calculator shows she is eligible for £520 per passenger. For her family of four, that's a total claim of £2,080.
Understanding "Extraordinary Circumstances"
Airlines don't have to pay compensation if the delay was caused by an "extraordinary circumstance." This means something that was outside of their control.
Examples of extraordinary circumstances:
- Extreme weather conditions (like a volcanic ash cloud or a major storm)
- Air traffic control strikes
- Political unrest or acts of terrorism
- A medical emergency on board
However, airlines sometimes try to label things as extraordinary when they aren't.
Things that are NOT usually extraordinary circumstances:
- Technical faults with the aircraft found during routine checks
- Not enough crew to staff the flight
- Late arrival of the aircraft from a previous flight (knock-on effect)
If the airline claims an extraordinary circumstance, always ask for proof.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Claiming
- Forgetting the Arrival Time: Compensation is based on when the doors of the plane opened at your destination, not when you left the departure gate.
- Not Keeping Records: Hold on to your booking confirmation, boarding passes, and any receipts for expenses you incurred due to the delay (like food and drink).
- Accepting Vouchers Too Quickly: Airlines might offer you travel vouchers. You are entitled to cash and don't have to accept them. Vouchers often come with expiry dates and restrictions.
- Giving Up: The airline might reject your claim initially. Don't be discouraged. If you have a valid claim, you can escalate it to an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) scheme or the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
What to Do After You Get Your Result
Our calculator is the first step. Here's what to do next.
If You Are Eligible:
- Gather Your Evidence: Collect all your documents – flight confirmation emails, boarding passes, and notes on the delay.
- Contact the Airline: Write to the airline's customer service department. Clearly state you are claiming compensation under regulation UK 261. Include your flight details, booking reference, and the names of all passengers. State the amount you are claiming.
- Be Persistent: If they reject your claim or don't reply within 8 weeks, you can take your case to an approved ADR body.
If You Are Not Eligible: This might be because the delay was under 3 hours or due to an extraordinary circumstance. However, you may still be able to claim for out-of-pocket expenses from your travel insurance provider, so check your policy documents.
Related Protection: Thinking Beyond Travel
While flight delay compensation is a welcome bonus after a frustrating trip, it's important to think about your wider financial protection. This is where WeCovr can help.
Expert brokers like WeCovr assist UK customers in comparing and securing essential cover. While separate from travel issues, policies like Private Medical Insurance and Life Insurance form the foundation of a secure financial plan.
- Private Medical Insurance (PMI): This gives you access to faster diagnosis and treatment for eligible conditions. Crucially, in the UK, PMI is designed to cover acute conditions that arise after your policy begins. It does not cover pre-existing or chronic conditions.
- Life Insurance: This provides a financial safety net for your loved ones if you were to pass away, helping them cover mortgage payments, living costs, and future expenses.
By working with WeCovr to secure PMI or life insurance, you may also be eligible for discounts on other types of cover. As a thank you to our customers, we also provide complimentary access to our AI-powered calorie and nutrition tracking app, CalorieHero, helping you stay on top of your health goals.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How long do I have to make a flight delay claim in the UK?
You have up to six years to make a claim for a flight departing from the UK. The time limit can be shorter for flights in other countries, so it's always best to claim as soon as possible.
Does Brexit affect my right to claim compensation?
No. The UK government wrote the existing EU regulation (EC 261) into UK law, creating 'UK 261'. This means your rights for flights departing from the UK, or for flights with a UK airline arriving in the country, remain protected and are essentially the same as before.
What if the airline offers me vouchers instead of cash?
You are legally entitled to receive your compensation as a cash payment (bank transfer or cheque). You do not have to accept vouchers, which often have expiry dates and can only be used with that airline. If you prefer vouchers, you can accept them, but the choice is yours.
Can I claim for my children too?
Yes. Compensation is due per passenger, regardless of age, as long as you paid for their seat. You cannot claim for infants who travelled on your lap for free, but any child with their own paid-for ticket is eligible for the full compensation amount.
Sources
- Office for National Statistics (ONS): Mortality, earnings, and household statistics.
- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA): Insurance and consumer protection guidance.
- Association of British Insurers (ABI): Life insurance and protection market publications.
- HMRC: Tax treatment guidance for relevant protection and benefits products.
Ready to find out what you're owed? Don't let the airline keep your money.
Use the free Flight Delay Compensation Checker now to get an instant answer. And for help protecting what matters most with health or life insurance, speak to a WeCovr expert today for a no-obligation quote.
