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Extraordinary circumstances: when airlines do not have to pay
Updated 5 November 2026 · General information, not legal advice.
Quick answerAirlines do not have to pay compensation if they consider the delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances, which are outside their control and could not have been avoided. The airline decides first. If you disagree, ask for the cause in writing and escalate to an ADR scheme or the CAA.
What this means
The idea is that some causes are outside the airline's control and could not have been avoided even with all reasonable measures. The CAA sends you to its guidance on whether you are entitled to compensation for the detail.
If your claim is refused
- Ask the airline to explain, in writing, exactly what the cause was.
- Check whether the explanation fits your flight. Ask for evidence, such as a weather report for that airport and time.
- If you disagree, escalate to the airline's ADR scheme or the CAA, as in how to claim yourself.
An airline saying "extraordinary circumstances" does not settle it. You can challenge it, and the final decision can rest with an independent body.
See also: bad weather, technical faults and strikes.
Frequently asked questions
Does bad weather always mean no compensation?
Not automatically. The airline has to show the delay was caused by an extraordinary circumstance. If you disagree, you can escalate.
Sources and official bodies: CAA: delays and compensation · CAA: cancellations · CAA: resolving travel problems · GOV.UK. Reviewed 5 November 2026.