A qualifying British Airways flight can lead to up to £520 per passenger under UK261, depending on the route, arrival delay, cancellation notice and cause.
Check who operated the flight
British Airways sells some code-share journeys operated by partner airlines. The operating carrier shown on the booking or boarding pass is normally the business responsible for a UK261 claim.
Keep the BA flight number and any partner flight number. A journey sold as BA but operated by another airline can have different coverage when it arrives in the UK from abroad.
What to include in a BA claim
Prepare the booking reference, passenger names, flight date, origin, destination and final arrival time. Add cancellation or delay messages and reasonable expense receipts.
Explain separately whether you are seeking fixed compensation, reimbursement of care expenses, or a ticket refund. This makes the request easier to assess.
If British Airways rejects the claim
Read the stated cause carefully and ask for detail if the explanation is generic. Compare the response with the actual airport conditions and information supplied on the day.
After a final response, or if the airline takes more than eight weeks, an appropriate alternative dispute-resolution route may be available. Keep the complete correspondence trail.
UK261 compensation bands
These are the standard fixed amounts for an eligible claim. Cancellation and denied-boarding cases can be reduced when rerouting gets the passenger to the final destination within set time limits.
| Flight distance | Typical qualifying delay | Maximum fixed amount |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 1,500 km | 3 hours or more at destination | £220 per passenger |
| 1,500 to 3,500 km | 3 hours or more at destination | £350 per passenger |
| Over 3,500 km | 3 to 4 hours | £260 per passenger |
| Over 3,500 km | More than 4 hours | £520 per passenger |
How to prepare a claim
- Identify the operating airline, flight number, date and full route.
- Keep the booking confirmation, boarding pass and disruption messages.
- Record the scheduled and actual final arrival times.
- Keep reasonable, itemised receipts for care the airline did not provide.
- Ask the operating airline for fixed compensation, expenses and any refund as separate items.
If the airline rejects the claim or takes more than eight weeks to respond, check whether its approved alternative dispute-resolution provider can review the case.
Common questions
Does a BA voucher replace cash compensation?
A voucher should not replace a cash entitlement unless you knowingly agree to that form of payment.
Can a BA Holidays customer claim?
The flight rights can still apply, while separate package-holiday issues may sit with the organiser.
Sources: UK Civil Aviation Authority delay guidance, cancellation guidance and eligibility guidance. Rules and outcomes depend on the facts of each journey.