You may be entitled to up to £520 per passenger when an eligible flight reaches its final destination at least three hours late and the disruption was within the airline’s control.
When does a flight delay qualify?
The important time is usually how late you reached the final destination, not how late the aircraft left the gate. A departure delay can shrink during the flight, so keep the scheduled and actual arrival times where possible.
UK261 can cover flights leaving a UK airport on any airline. It can also cover some flights arriving in the UK on a UK or EU airline, and flights arriving in the EU on a UK airline. The route and operating carrier both matter.
The three-hour rule
For fixed compensation, an arrival delay normally needs to be three hours or more. Long-haul flights over 3,500 km can have a lower £260 amount when the arrival delay is between three and four hours, rising to £520 after four hours.
A delay of five hours or more also gives you a separate choice. If you decide not to travel, you can request a refund for the unused parts of the booking. That refund right is different from fixed compensation.
What evidence should you keep?
Save the booking confirmation, boarding pass, flight number, travel date and any messages from the airline. Keep reasonable receipts for food, transport or accommodation you paid for because the airline did not provide care.
Ask the airline to confirm the reason for the delay. Weather, air traffic restrictions and security events may be extraordinary circumstances, while ordinary operational or technical problems may require a closer review.
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
Is compensation based on my ticket price?
No. Fixed UK261 compensation is normally based on route distance and the length of the qualifying arrival delay.
Can I claim expenses as well?
Possibly. Reasonable care expenses can be separate from fixed compensation, so keep itemised receipts.
Sources: UK Civil Aviation Authority delay guidance, cancellation guidance and eligibility guidance. Rules and outcomes depend on the facts of each journey.