An eligible easyJet delay or cancellation can qualify for UK261 compensation of £220, £350 or up to £520 per passenger, depending on route and disruption.
Short-haul flights still need a three-hour arrival delay
Many easyJet routes are under 1,500 km and sit in the £220 band. The compensation threshold is still normally based on reaching the destination at least three hours late.
A shorter waiting-time threshold can trigger care rights before the fixed compensation threshold is reached. Ask airport staff for assistance and retain receipts when it is not provided.
Cancellations and replacement flights
For cancellations, record when easyJet informed you and the exact timing of any replacement flight. Notice under 14 days can be relevant, but rerouting times and cause still determine the outcome.
If you choose a refund rather than travel, keep confirmation of that choice. Refund, expenses and fixed compensation are separate parts of the overall disruption.
Building a clear easyJet claim
Use the booking reference, flight number, travel date, route and passenger names. State the scheduled and actual arrival times and attach the disruption message.
If the claim is rejected as extraordinary circumstances, ask for the specific event and how it affected the aircraft or route. A general statement may not answer the full test.
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
Can I claim for an easyJet flight from the UK to Europe?
A departure from a UK airport can be covered regardless of the operating airline’s nationality.
Are food receipts part of compensation?
They are usually a separate care-expense request, so keep them itemised and reasonable.
Sources: UK Civil Aviation Authority delay guidance, cancellation guidance and eligibility guidance. Rules and outcomes depend on the facts of each journey.