---
title: "Flight Compensation Calculator — UK261 | FlightLogic"
description: "Free UK261 calculator — check fixed compensation of £220–£520 for flight delays, cancellations and denied boarding, plus eligibility rules and how to claim."
url: https://flightlogic.co.uk/flight-compensation-calculator/
source: FlightLogic (flightlogic.co.uk)
licence: "Content © Elite Digital AI Solutions Ltd. Cite the URL above and the page author."
---

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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 (under 1,500 km), £350 (1,500–3,500 km) or £520 (over 3,500 km with a 4+ hour arrival delay) per passenger. Enter your flight details below for the exact band and the next steps to claim it.

## 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.

Answer the questions above to see an estimate.

## 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?](https://flightlogic.co.uk/eligibility/), including [denied boarding](https://flightlogic.co.uk/eligibility/denied-boarding/) and [strikes and bad weather](https://flightlogic.co.uk/eligibility/strike-extraordinary-circumstances/).

## 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.