A qualifying TUI Airways delay or cancellation can lead to fixed UK261 compensation per passenger, separate from possible package-holiday rights.
Identify the operating airline
A TUI holiday can use TUI Airways or another carrier. Check the booking and boarding pass because the flight claim normally goes to the airline that operated, or was due to operate, the disrupted service.
The package organiser may handle other losses or changes to the holiday. Keep those issues distinct from the fixed flight-compensation request.
Long delays on leisure routes
Many TUI routes are medium or long haul, so distance can place a qualifying claim in the £350 or £520 band. For long-haul delays between three and four hours, the fixed amount may be £260.
Record the final arrival time and keep all messages. The advertised departure delay alone does not settle the compensation band.
Cancellations before a TUI holiday
If the flight is cancelled, record the notice date and replacement offered. The package impact can be significant, but UK261 fixed compensation still depends on flight-specific timing and cause.
Keep communication from both TUI Airways and the holiday organiser. It should be clear which business made each decision and which remedy you are requesting.
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 a package refund the same as flight compensation?
No. Package remedies, ticket refunds and fixed UK261 compensation are different rights.
Can I claim for every person on the booking?
Each eligible passenger can have an individual fixed amount, subject to their fare and booking details.
Sources: UK Civil Aviation Authority delay guidance, cancellation guidance and eligibility guidance. Rules and outcomes depend on the facts of each journey.