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Free tool · UK261 / EU261
Flight compensation calculator
Delayed, cancelled or denied boarding? Work out which fixed UK261 band applies to your flight — and what to do next — in under a minute.
Under UK261, fixed compensation for a qualifying delay, cancellation or denied boarding is £220 (flights under 1,500 km), £350 (1,500–3,500 km) or £520 (over 3,500 km with a 4+ hour arrival delay; £260 for 3–4 hours) per passenger. You must have departed from a UK airport — on any airline — or arrived in the UK on a UK or EU carrier, and the cause must not be extraordinary circumstances such as severe weather or air traffic control strikes.
Estimate your compensation
This calculator applies the fixed UK261 bands. It is guidance, not legal advice — airlines can defend claims on extraordinary-circumstance grounds, and no tool can promise a payout.
The fixed UK261 bands
| Flight distance | Example routes | Per passenger |
|---|---|---|
| Under 1,500 km | e.g. London–Paris, Manchester–Dublin | £220 |
| 1,500–3,500 km | e.g. London–Athens, Edinburgh–Tenerife | £350 |
| Over 3,500 km — arrival 3–4 hours late | e.g. London–New York (50% band) | £260 |
| Over 3,500 km — arrival 4+ hours late | e.g. London–New York, Gatwick–Dubai | £520 |
Compensation is per passenger, in cash, on top of any refund or rerouting — the ticket price is irrelevant. Not sure your situation qualifies? Check the scenario guides at Am I eligible?, including denied boarding and strikes and bad weather.
Compensation FAQ
How much compensation can I get for a delayed flight?
Under UK261 the fixed bands are £220 for flights under 1,500 km, £350 for 1,500–3,500 km, and £520 for flights over 3,500 km — paid per passenger when you arrive at your final destination 3+ hours late for reasons within the airline’s control. On flights over 3,500 km, an arrival delay of exactly 3–4 hours is paid at the reduced £260 band. Delays under 3 hours get no fixed compensation, though duty-of-care (meals, and a hotel for overnight waits) can still apply from 2+ hours.
Does UK261 still apply after Brexit?
Yes. EU Regulation 261/2004 was written into UK law as “UK261”, with the same pound-sterling bands. It covers every flight departing a UK airport on any airline, plus flights arriving in the UK on a UK or EU carrier. If you departed from an EU airport instead, the parallel EU261 rules apply and compensation is paid in euros.
What counts as extraordinary circumstances?
Genuine extraordinary circumstances include severe weather, air traffic control strikes or restrictions, security risks and political instability — the airline owes no fixed compensation for these, though duty-of-care still applies. The airline’s own staff striking, routine technical faults and crew shortages are NOT extraordinary under court rulings, so those claims remain valid. See our scenario guide at /eligibility/strike-extraordinary-circumstances.
Can I claim compensation for a cancelled flight?
Yes, on the same £220/£350/£520 bands — plus you can always choose between a full refund and rerouting at the earliest opportunity, with meals and hotel accommodation while you wait. No compensation is due if the airline told you 14+ days before departure, and it can be reduced by 50% if a rerouted flight gets you in close to your original arrival time.
How far back can I claim flight compensation?
In England and Wales you have up to six years from the flight date to bring a UK261 claim (five years in Scotland). Claim directly with the operating airline first — it is free — then escalate to its CAA-approved alternative dispute resolution scheme, such as CEDR or AviationADR, if it rejects your claim or does not respond within eight weeks.