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Flight delayed or cancelled? What you can claim in the UK

Updated 5 November 2026 · General information, not legal advice.

Quick answerArrive more than three hours late and the cause was not an extraordinary circumstance, and you may be entitled to £220, £350 or up to £520 per person, depending on distance. You claim from the airline first, and it is free.

Delay compensation calculator

Based on the UK Civil Aviation Authority's published amounts. A guide only: whether you qualify depends on the cause of the delay and where you flew.

Flight distance How late did you arrive at your final destination? Number of passengers on the booking

Where to start

Compensation amounts£220, £350, £260 or £520 by distance and delay Claim yourself (free)Step by step, with a letter template Claims companies comparedCosts, effort and when to use one Flight cancelledRefund, re-routing, care and compensation When airlines don't payExtraordinary circumstances explained All guidesDelays, strikes, weather, luggage and more

Airlines you can claim against

You can apply to any airline. Whether you are paid depends on your flight and the cause of the disruption, so we cannot promise a payout. We use names and codes, not logos: we are independent and not affiliated with any airline.

Why trust this guide?

Based on the regulator. The amounts and the claim route come from the UK Civil Aviation Authority, checked on 5 November 2026.
Free route first. We always show you how to claim yourself before mentioning a claims company.
Clear about money. Some links are affiliate links. How we make money.
No data collected. We do not ask for your flight details. See our privacy information.

Frequently asked questions

How much compensation can I get for a delayed flight?

Under UK261, if you arrive at your final destination more than three hours late, the CAA lists £220 (under 1,500 km), £350 (1,500 to 3,500 km) and £260 or £520 (over 3,500 km, depending on whether you were three to four hours or more than four hours late), per passenger.

Do I have to use a claims company?

No. You can claim directly from the airline for free. If the airline refuses or does not answer, you can escalate to an ADR scheme or the CAA.

Will the airline always pay?

No. Airlines do not have to pay if the delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances. The airline decides first, and you can challenge a refusal.

Sources and official bodies: CAA: delays and compensation · CAA: cancellations · CAA: resolving travel problems · GOV.UK. Reviewed 5 November 2026.