Flight Delayed at UK Airport?

A flight delay is frustrating. But you have legal rights in the UK and EU. Under EU261 regulation (which the UK kept post-Brexit), flights delayed over 3 hours qualify for compensation, meals, accommodation, and rebooking. Here"s exactly what to do.

First: stay calm and contact the airline

Once you know your flight is delayed, speak to an airline representative immediately. Don"t wait. They can tell you:

• Expected delay duration
• Whether rebooking is available
• Meal/hotel/transport vouchers (if applicable)
• Compensation eligibility

Keep documentation: boarding pass, booking confirmation, photos of the departure board showing the delay, and any written communication from the airline.

Your immediate rights (while waiting)

Under UK law, the airline must provide:

• Access to phone, email, or fax for free
• Refreshments/meals appropriate to the delay
• Hotel accommodation if an overnight stay is needed (and transport to/from airport)
• Two calls/emails/faxes at your expense covered by the airline

For delays over 3 hours, these "care and assistance" requirements apply automatically — you don"t need to ask. But it"s smart to ask explicitly: "What meal vouchers do you have?" or "Will you cover a hotel tonight?"

EU261 compensation: the big one

If your flight is delayed over 3 hours from scheduled arrival time, you may be entitled to compensation of:

• £215 for flights up to 1,500 km
• £430 for EU flights over 1,500 km and other flights 1,500-3,500 km
• £645 for flights over 3,500 km

Applies to:

• Flights departing from UK airports (any airline)
• Flights arriving at UK airports (if airline is EU/UK-registered)
• Flights arriving in EU airports from UK (if airline is UK-registered)

Does NOT apply if the airline can prove "extraordinary circumstances": severe weather, security threats, air traffic control delays, or medical emergencies. Mechanical failure or staff shortages do NOT count.

How to claim your compensation

Step 1: Contact the airline directly

Email their customer relations department with:

• Flight number, date, and scheduled vs. actual arrival time
• Booking reference and passenger names
• Copy of boarding pass
• Request for EU261 compensation

Many airlines honour valid claims within 4-8 weeks. Send via registered mail or email with read receipt.

Step 2: Use a claims service (optional)

Companies like Compensation 2Go, Claim Express, Money.co.uk handle claims for 20-30% commission. Useful if the airline ignores you or you don"t have time. They"ve recovered billions for UK passengers.

Step 3: Small claims court (if airline refuses)

Use the small claims track at your local county court (free or very low cost). The burden is on the airline to prove extraordinary circumstances. You have 6 years to claim in England/Wales (3 years in Scotland).

Rebooking and alternatives

If your flight is significantly delayed or cancelled, the airline must offer:

• Rebooking on the next available flight at no cost (can be next day)
• Alternative routing (different airport, different airline)
• Full refund if you don"t want to continue

You do not automatically lose EU261 compensation if you accept rebooking. You get both.

What to do if the airline refuses

Helpful resources

• Civil Aviation Authority (CAA): caa.co.uk — official UK aviation regulator. They have a guide to passenger rights.
• Citizens Advice: citizensadvice.org.uk — free impartial advice on flight delay claims.
• IATA Delay Codes: Check what the airline says caused the delay. Some codes (e.g., "AC" for air crew) are airline liability; others (e.g., "W" for weather) may be force majeure.

Frequently asked