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Flight cancelled: what are your rights?
Updated 5 November 2026 · General information, not legal advice.
What the CAA says you can ask for
- A refund of the unused parts of your ticket, or an alternative flight as soon as possible or on a later date that suits you.
- Care while you wait: meals and drinks (often as vouchers), a way to communicate, and a hotel with transport if you are rerouted to the next day. If the airline cannot arrange this, you can arrange reasonable care yourself and claim it back. Keep receipts, and do not spend beyond what is reasonable.
- Compensation in some cases, as below.
When compensation is due
The CAA says compensation is only possible if you had less than 14 days' notice, and it depends on the cause. Extreme weather, strikes and other extraordinary circumstances are not eligible. The amounts are per person.
If you had 7 to 14 days' notice (and the new departure was more than two hours before the original)
| Flight distance | Arrival delay | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Under 1,500 km | 2 hours or more | £220 |
| Under 1,500 km | Under 2 hours | £110 |
| 1,500 to 3,500 km | 3 hours or more | £350 |
| 1,500 to 3,500 km | Under 3 hours | £175 |
| Over 3,500 km | 4 hours or more | £520 |
| Over 3,500 km | Under 4 hours | £260 |
If you had less than 7 days' notice
No compensation applies if the replacement flight leaves no more than one hour before the original time and arrives less than two hours after the original arrival. Otherwise the CAA lists £220 (short-haul, 2 or more hours late), £350 (medium-haul, 3 or more hours late) and £520 or £260 (long-haul, 4 or more hours late, or under 4 hours). This is a summary, so read the CAA cancellations page for the exact rules and exceptions.
What to do on the day
- Ask the airline in writing (app, chat or email) what it is offering.
- Keep boarding passes, confirmations, messages and receipts.
- If you buy your own alternative flight, keep proof and ask the airline in writing to refund it.
- Then follow the claim steps.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a refund if my flight is cancelled?
Yes. The CAA says you can choose a refund of the unused parts of your ticket or an alternative flight.
Do I get compensation if my flight was cancelled?
Only if you had less than 14 days' notice and the cause was not an extraordinary circumstance such as extreme weather or strikes. The amount depends on distance and how late you arrived.
Sources and official bodies: CAA: delays and compensation · CAA: cancellations · CAA: resolving travel problems · GOV.UK. Reviewed 5 November 2026.